Danilo Grbović started as an intern at Delhaize Serbia in late 2021, progressed to the role of associate soon after, then moved up to a specialist job, and most recently, was promoted to the role of Talent Acquisition Partner. This rapid growth can largely be attributed to his boundless ambition and drive for continuous improvement, as well as the myriad opportunities provided to him. Today, he works at Ahold Delhaize’s European Business Services (EBS), servicing Delhaize Serbia and Maxi, Ahold Delhaize’s local brands in Serbia. "I thrive in this dynamic environment where the emphasis is on innovation and people and the aim is to make a valuable contribution to promoting healthier habits."
Danilo began his academic journey as a psychology student, initially drawn to the clinical aspect of the discipline. However, his perspective shifted when he was introduced to organizational psychology during his third year of studies. Danilo describes his first encounter with the field as 'love at first sight.' "From that moment on, I knew my career path lay in HR. Instead of focusing on problems and challenges as is typical in the clinical psychology area, I wanted to concentrate on opportunities and the potential of individuals. It's all about looking at the positive side. That's exactly what I do in my role as Talent Acquisition Partner for the Support Office."
In his job, Danilo focuses on finding the right candidates for the right positions. “I am passionate about connecting the right people with career opportunities, particularly when their professional aspirations align with the company’s goals. Our team – known as the Career Center – is positioned within EBS, a service department of Ahold Delhaize that assists the company’s various local brands to achieve their strategic goals. Achieving those strategic objectives hinges on having the right individuals in key roles. We attract and retain talent to ensure their continued contribution to our organization's success.”
The Career Center recruits associates for Delhaize Serbia, Ahold Delhaize’s Global Support Office and EBS, and is divided into two groups: one sources talent for the core business (our stores, e-commerce division, and supply chain department), and the other focuses on recruiting for the Support Office. “I am part of the latter group. I find it extremely rewarding to bring in new hires for the organization. It’s satisfying to watch the whole process come together, from sourcing candidates to interviewing shortlisted people, all the way through to signing the contract.”
Despite having told dozens of candidates that they’ve got the job over the past few years, Danilo still finds that phone call very special. "Every candidate is thrilled upon hearing that they will become part of the Delhaize family. But it's not only the candidate who's happy; the hiring manager is just as delighted when I inform them that their dream candidate has accepted the offer and will be joining our team. Being able to share these positive messages and be part of that joyful feeling over and over again is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work.”
Growing through challenges
There are many other aspects of his job that he finds rewarding, too. "Every day is different, but each one is always full of new insights, learning opportunities, and interesting challenges. Some challenges can be tough, but overcoming them is what helps you to grow. This company is particularly conducive to professional growth. There are incredibly knowledgeable and experienced people working here. It’s an important part of our corporate culture to share that knowledge and experience. This holds true both within Delhaize Serbia and EBS. The organization hosts regular workshops and training sessions on relevant topics.
This is very valuable, especially in our domain of HR, where there’s always a lot changing and happening. For example, we recently had an interesting workshop on how to promote diversity, equity and inclusion by conducting interviews in a more inclusive manner. These sorts of learning opportunities allow us to keep progressing and updating our skills, while staying informed about the latest developments in the field."
Danilo is also driven by a strong internal desire for self-improvement. "This company has a culture of striving for excellence and pushing associates to be their best. That aligns perfectly with who I am – I always give 200% to everything I do and I’m constantly seeking ways to improve processes and elevate my performance. I draw inspiration from best practices across all the different countries within EBS, leveraging these insights to drive even better outcomes in the future."
When looking back on the past two and a half years, Danilo feels very content. "I've learned so much, met wonderful people, and been given countless opportunities. On top of that, I've had a lot of fun. Each year, Delhaize Serbia awards associates who best embody the company's core values – integrity, courage, humor, care, and teamwork. Recently, Danilo received the award for teamwork. "It’s because I'm the only one who knows the date of every team member's birthday," he says, laughing. Why did he really receive the award? He explains: "If someone is struggling, needs advice, or has too much on their plate, I always step in to help. People are comfortable turning to me for assistance and find it easy to approach me. The award is a wonderful recognition of my efforts to strive for the highest standards – for myself, for my team, and for the organization."
Danilo thrives on the pursuit of excellence. As an avid football enthusiast, he passionately supports one of the world's best football clubs, FC Barcelona. "I follow nearly every European football league and often draw parallels between my work and the sport. I see myself as a leading talent scout who is tasked with convincing top "players" that Delhaize Serbia is their best choice. These players have the option to join any team in the world, and it's up to me to show them that Delhaize Serbia is the club where they can learn the most, while also maximizing their personal and professional development and making a positive impact on the world."
Name: Danilo Grbović (1994)
Started working at Delhaize Serbia: September 2021
Studied: MA Human Resource Management, University of Belgrade (2020)
Living with: My mom
Hobbies: Hiking, playing video games (especially the older versions of Warcraft) and watching football
Wake me up in the middle of the night for: A great adventure, like visiting a new place or country
Favorite holiday destination: Barcelona
Life-changing event: Every single day, something happens that changes my life :)
Biggest source of inspiration: Young people who are already successful. I find them a great inspiration because they show that with hard work, anything is possible
Best advice I’ve ever received: ‘Have the courage to follow your heart and your intuition’
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