Camilla Wikström, Senior Purchaser, Business Area Consumables, Gothenburg, Sweden
Hi Camilla, please tell us what you do in your job, and the competences and characteristics that is important when you do your job, contributing to the success of Vitrolife Group.
I am working within Supply Chain, as a Senior Purchaser. My job entails working with suppliers and securing the supply chain, which among other things often means participating in projects. My role is focused on keeping up with the different regulatory landscapes from a purchasing perspective, and to help fulfilling the requirements necessary by facilitating appropriate tools and reports. In this position, it is important to be analytical and solution oriented, and to enjoy working with many different stakeholders both internally and externally. I’ve been working at Vitrolife since 2010, always in the purchasing function, but with different focus areas.
You have been working for the company for quite many years now, why did you choose Vitrolife Group from the beginning and what is it that you enjoy most?
Because of the very strong purpose of the company – to help individuals fulfill their dream of having a baby. Many years later, I genuinely enjoy and appreciate working cross functional, working with so many different colleagues and to keep learning new things.
And in what way has there been room for you to influence your career within the company?
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to explore my interests and strengths, to be able to focus on certain topics and help evolve our ways of working within these areas. Lately, I am more involved in supply chain sustainability e.g., human rights.
Sustainability is interesting, how do you see Vitrolife Group making a difference and an impact for people?
It is really heartwarming to know that what we do will result in a new baby being born, a life changing moment for families – it is an amazing thought.
How would you describe the culture of Vitrolife Group and what do you enjoy most about it?
Our culture is warm and welcoming! I really enjoy being part of this type of organization.
You are a true ambassador, Camilla, what makes you happy at work and proud of working for Vitrolife Group?
There are several things that make me proud such as our purpose, but also the extremely smart and professional colleagues I have the pleasure of working together with. Yes, I would say that the things that make me happy at work are primarily my colleagues and knowing and feeling that I am contributing.
Adedoyin Akinwole, Diagnostics Manager US and Canada, Business Area Genetic Services, Miami, US
Hi Adedoyin, please describe what you do in your job, and the competences and characteristics that is important when you are contributing to the success of Vitrolife Group.
I am currently working as Diagnostics Manager for our USA and Canada affiliate. To be successful in this role, first of all, you must have a good knowledge and experience in the lab. You should be well versed in the overall process and how it contributes to the impact on the diagnostics. You should have knowledge of the protocols and devices that are used to generate analysis. You must know the scientific literature as it will have an impact on your decision making for diagnostics. Overall, of course, you must know how to perform the diagnostics for the assays.
Characteristics that are important for the job is to be a leader and decision maker. You should be able to swiftly take action and provide resolutions, gathering all the necessary information for you to make your decisions. You should be optimistic and always looking forward for positive resolutions. You should be able to put yourself in the shoes of a patient. You should be a person who possesses a wide range of view vs tunnel vision. You should be a person who is well organized and be able to streamline the process. You should be very meticulous to details as this will help you spot red flags and prevent potential issues from happening. At the same time, you must have A LOT of patience! With being a manager, of course, not least and very importantly, you are responsible for leading the work, but also know your team members and bring the best out of them.
Sounds exciting, please explain more about your background and your journey in the company, why did you choose Vitrolife Group?
Actually, I feel like Vitrolife Group chose me at this point. I started at the beginning of the creation of Igenomix right out of college in 2013. I was the first US employee in the lab. First, I did not see myself in genetics… probably because my professor was not the best… haha. However, I grew to love what I do! Over the years, I've learned a lot and developed many skills, and I worked with so many people that I still consider as my friends today. Most importantly, I have the ability to provide families with healthy babies. Seeing my first patient testimonial meant everything to me. It pushed me forward to be a pivotal asset to the success of the company and I hope to see the company continue to get better for our employees, and to continue to offer the best quality of service for our patients. I continue to choose Vitrolife Group because I feel at home here.
So, in summary, what is it that you enjoy most about working at Vitrolife Group?
The people! And knowing that I am making an impact of families’ lives.
Irene Bayo Cano, Strategy Expert, Group Function Strategy & Corporate Development, Valencia, Spain
Hi Irene, please describe what you do in your job, and the competences and characteristics that is important when you do your job, contributing to the success of Vitrolife Group.
I am part of the Corporate Strategy & Development department and together with my colleagues I am in charge of supporting the rest of the organisation in defining the Group's strategy and implementing the roadmap for us to follow as an organisation. The two main competences I see as essential for the job is project and business management, together with a deep understanding of the field of assisted reproduction. I feel very lucky to have found a company where I can use my degrees in and understanding of biotechnology to help the business move forward, while developing life-changing innovations in the field of reproductive health.
And why was it that you chose Vitrolife Group more specifically?
I chose Vitrolife Group in 2021, just at the same time as Igenomix was acquired by Vitrolife, because I aspired to work for a company in the reproductive health sector. One that is committed to research and development with the aim of making the dream of many people to have a healthy baby possible. A company having a positive impact on the world, by bringing its products and services everywhere it is needed.
And now, what do you enjoy most about working at Vitrolife Group?
Undoubtedly, the human side and the science. In Spanish we say "familia" - meaning family, and that is what Vitrolife Group is for me, it is the family I have chosen. What I enjoy most about Vitrolife Group is the people and being part of a leading company in reproductive genetic services. Finally, as a biotechnologist, I love the scientific part that is implicit in all the development projects. By this, I am surrounded by fantastic researchers who every day share the awareness on the importance of our work in many people's hopes of having a baby.
Takayuki Kishiro, Country Manager Japan, Group Sales & Marketing, Tokyo, Japan
Hi Takayuki, please explain your role and the competences you are using as you are contributing to the success of Vitrolife Group.
As the Country Manager I oversee the various departments in the sales company; Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Accounting, Product & Clinical support and Technical service. I am busy developing and implementing operational strategies and we deliver on agreed activities and targets together. In this role I need to have general management skills and the skills to execute, and to apply perspectives. I contribute by setting goals, foster organisational strength and by achieving continuous growth.
Tell us about why did you choose Vitrolife Group?
In Japan, the aging population and the declining birth-rates are particularly articulated, and counter-measures against the declining birth-rates have become a policy. I found that the job of helping people who are suffering from infertility would not only be very rewarding, but that it as well would contribute to society. I became interested in the products and services handled by Vitrolife, and as I could easily empathize with the vision, mission, and values, and decided to join Vitrolife in 2016.
Please share you’re a bit about your professional development journey in Vitrolife?
In 2016, when I joined Vitrolife, the Japan sales office had about 10 employees. Now we are about 30 people. The speed of the IVF market and the growth of our company is very fast, so the ability to adapt to various changes has been important. When I was recruited, I started as a Sales Representative, and after that I was working as the Sales & Marketing Manager. In July 2022, I was promoted to become the Country Manager, so over these years I have had many good challenges and experiences. I value being able to be a driving force in the daily job and having a high level of professionalism. I focus on the team and try to support the team as much as possible, to build strong teamwork and achieve high results by coordinating and engaging people.
Sounds great, and what is it the most that makes you happy at work?
What makes me happy is to see people's success and growth! This is true for patients, customers, colleagues, myself and my family. At the same time, there are many failures behind success and growth. As I see it, failure is also an important experience. It is because of this experience that I will be able to take on the next challenge. I find it rewarding to come up with a hypothesis on how to achieve that challenge and then implement it with a high sense of urgency.
So, what is it specifically that makes you proud of working for Vitrolife Group?
I am proud to contribute to society by supporting the dreams of infertility patients, by providing high-quality, valuable products and services.