Women will play an increasingly important role in this industry, bringing their unique perspectives and skills. Ever-growing recognition of diversity and inclusion will bring women more opportunities to showcase their abilities and contribute to improving logistics processes.

Milica Barjaktarevic, Operations Manager for Air, Ship & Rail Transport at our company, participated in #ThePinkIndustry program, which aims to strengthen the position of women in production and industry. We are pleased to present her full interview:

Milica Barjaktarevic graduated from the Faculty of Economics – International Economy and Foreign Trade – Department of International Finance. Despite her academic background, she pursued a career in logistics, starting in 2010. Currently she holds the position of Operations Manager for Air, Ship & Rail Transport at Transfera company. At the beginning of our conversation, she said: “Logistics has always been the area that kept fascinating me with its dynamism and key role in the global economy. I had the opportunity to work in various segments of this industry and was particularly driven by the complexity and challenges involved in organizing and optimizing air, ship & rail transport.”

Each of these transport modalities has its own unique characteristics and challenges. The job is not simple and easy, and Milica’s main task is to find the most efficient and profitable solutions for clients, maintaining high-quality service standards at the same time. “The job is extremely interesting and dynamic. Being the Operations Manager for Air, Ship & Rail Transport, I am responsible for managing and coordinating all aspects of these transport modalities, including planning, route optimization, partner cooperation, and ensuring that all logistics processes run smoothly”, she explained.

There is still ample opportunity for improvement. It is crucial to actively challenge stereotypes and ensure women have equal opportunities.

The stress of her daily life is not typical either, but there is no room for panic or insecurity. On the contrary, she handles daily challenges with calmness and precision in her work. Coordinating various transport modalities and ensuring smooth operation across the entire logistics chain is one of her main challenges. “Working in logistics demands quick response and adaptability, particularly when dealing with unexpected events like delays or disruptions in the supply chain. The key is to have a team that is well-coordinated and be ready to adapt quickly and to effectively solve problems.”

Logistics is one the rare sectors that might not suffer from the traditional division between men’s and women’s jobs, but “There is still ample opportunity for improvement. It is crucial to actively challenge stereotypes and ensure women have equal opportunities”, believes our interviewer, emphasizing the importance of education and mentoring. “Companies should actively promote inclusivity and provide support to women through mentorship and professional development. Furthermore, it is important to empower women through education and offer opportunities for gaining practical knowledge.”

At the same time, it is a sector that constitutes the background of all our activities, and even so, we don’t think about it often. “Transport is the center of the world! It is the “glue” of everyday life. When it runs smoothly, we don’t notice. When it goes wrong, it negatively colors our day, makes us angry and powerless, reduces our capabilities”, according to Robin Chase, the American transport entrepreneur.

In the interview with portal PIT.ba, Milica recalled her early days and also the beginnings of the company which has now evolved into a robust and efficient system. When she joined Transfera in 2017, the company was just starting to develop its container transport services. “It was a challenging time, but with a lot of hard work, dedication, and team spirit, we managed to build a robust and efficient system for container transport. Today, we are recognizable on the market for the quality of this type of service, and this is what makes me most proud”, she said, adding that she believes that “Women will play an increasingly important role in this industry, bringing their unique perspectives and skills. With the growing recognition of diversity and inclusion, women will have more opportunities to showcase their abilities and contribute to improving logistics processes.”

Transport will almost certainly continue to play a key role in the global economy, and our interviewer points to the increasing focus on sustainability and innovations, emphasizing the importance of women. She advised young women to be persistent: “Believe in your own abilities. Logistics is a challenging yet rewarding field that offers plenty of opportunities for growth and advancement. Don’t let stereotypes and prejudices stop you from achieving your goals. Continuously learn, develop your skills, and seek opportunities for professional development. Connect with colleagues and mentors who can provide support along the way.”

Each of us follows a different path to our goals. Milica found hers in simplicity, so at the end of our conversation she emphasized: “No matter how different we are, we all live our lives filled with simplicity that brings us happiness. My job is demanding and dynamic, but it’s my family and our simple rituals that truly fulfill me.”