As a child, soccer was Aleksandar Panjković’s world. He always dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. He even made it to a semi-professional level – but that was as far as it went. During his studies Industrial Engineering & Engineering Management, he realized it was time for a new direction: he wanted to pursue a career in project management. Today, that ambition is a reality. “Every project is a story in itself. Even when the tasks feel familiar, I learn so much every single time.”
Passion, play, and parenthood
Life beyond football Letting go of my dream of becoming a professional soccer player was tough at the time. For years, I trained every day and played every match to improve, hoping to be noticed one day. I still love watching the game and I’m a big fan of Vojvodina, the club from my hometown of Novi Sad, but I don’t play anymore. Basketball has become my way to stay active and have fun with friends. I’m nowhere near as competitive as I was on the soccer pitch.
Games and friends Besides all the hours I used to spend on the football pitch, you could often find me in my room playing video games. I’m certain that without them, my English wouldn’t be nearly as good as it is today. I know gaming addictions can be a real issue, but for me, it was always something enjoyable and positive. It was also a social experience – I mostly played with friends, so it was a way to connect and interact.
A whole new game The reason I no longer play basketball twice a week, spend hours gaming, or go out to bars and restaurants that often is simple: her name is Nadja. Seven months ago, I became a father, and since then, my life has changed completely. Becoming a dad is one of the most amazing experiences.
Projects that matter
Reach and responsibility At the beginning of 2024, I joined Delhaize Serbia. Before that, I worked at an IT company where I really enjoyed myself, but I was drawn to the sheer scope and diversity of integrations and projects I could be involved in here. And I got exactly what I hoped for – and more: today, I work on a wide range of initiatives that intersect with operations and supply chain. These are not small initiatives, but high-level strategic projects that have a direct impact on the company’s performance and growth.
Starting big I immediately hit the ground running. A new distribution center was being built near Belgrade, and to be honest, that was one of the reasons the role appealed to me so much. I joined as coordinator, working closely with the DC director, who acted as project manager. My first project, such a big challenge straight away! It wasn’t easy, quite the opposite, but we managed to deliver the project on time and within scope. Looking back, I probably learned more during that project than at any other point in my career so far.
Learning from top leaders The learnings were both personal and professional. The project brought together the top executives of Delhaize Serbia – some of the most senior leaders in the country – and I had a seat at the table alongside them. Just being part of those conversations, listening to how they approach challenges and discuss decisions, was incredibly insightful. I gained plenty of practical knowledge, but I also learned a lot about leadership and the kind of leader I hope to become one day.
Growth reflections Every leader in this company has their own style. I try to take something from each of them – their integrity, their knowledge, their strong personality, or charm – and gradually shape my own style. It’s an ongoing process that never really ends. Every day, I try to be a little better than the day before. It’s something I’m very conscious about. My commute to the office takes about an hour, and I use that time deliberately. On the way there, I plan my day and think through what I need to focus on. On the way back, I reflect on how the day went – the conversations I had, what I could have done differently, and any feedback I received. It’s a built-in hour of critical self-reflection every day.
Mastering the banana challenge The constant challenges I encounter in this role are what make my work so rewarding. It’s the challenge itself – the idea of creating or doing something that didn’t exist before – that gives me the most satisfaction. There are plenty of examples, like the new banana ripening device we developed in-house. We wanted a way to ripen green bananas quickly so they would turn yellow. While we had worked with a similar device before, this one involved completely new technology and a brand-new setup. I literally learned everything there is to know about bananas. That knowledge was crucial for drafting a precise technical description of the device we wanted to create and briefing the company that would build it. It was a project with a tight deadline, so at a certain point, we just started implementing while still testing and iterating at full speed. Don’t ask me how, but we did it – and delivered. Every banana comes out perfectly yellow and ripe.
Building from scratch Another example is the app we recently developed for Maxi’s thousands of flexible workers. It brought together three existing apps, had to meet all regulatory requirements, and ensure smooth integration of every process. It was the first time our team tackled a project like this. We worked on it for nearly two years before presenting it to senior management, who were enthusiastic about the results. It’s incredibly rewarding to build something from scratch and then see it actually being used in practice.
Family first
Sleep is overrated As a father, my nights are significantly shorter. For a while, Nadja finally slept through the night, but then she started teething, and now she wakes up quite regularly again. It is what it is, and eventually your body just adjusts to less sleep. When I’m home, I’m fully focused on being a dad, and I don’t think about work at all. The time before Nadja goes to bed is really for her alone – I give her my full attention.
The perfect weekend Weekends are all about family too. Dragana and I love being outdoors, especially now that the weather is improving. Living next to a large park makes it easy to go for long walks, and Nadja often naps better in her stroller than at home, which is a nice bonus. My wife and I enjoy walking, having coffee, and grabbing lunch, often with friends joining us. For me, that’s pretty much the recipe for a perfect weekend: family, friends, and ideally a bit of sunshine.
Name: Aleksandar Panjković (1994)
Started working at Delhaize Serbia: January 2024
Studied: BA Industrial Engineering & Engineering Management, University of Novi Sad (2020)
Living with: My wife Dragana and our daughter Nadja
Wake me up in the middle of the night for: For important family matters anytime; otherwise, let me sleep
Favorite holiday destination: The Maldives, and I also love the Alps for snowboarding and skiing
Life-changing event: In 2018, I participated in a five-month Work & Travel program in the USA. I worked two jobs – mornings as a restaurant waiter and nights in a bar – while living independently for the first time in my life. This experience taught me to take care of myself, adapt to a new country, and make new friends, giving me immense confidence.
Biggest source of inspiration: People – great ideas and insights always come from conversations and interactions.
Best advice I’ve ever received: ‘Always keep growing’, as my principal at university once told me.
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