Lars - Project Director
Name:
Lars
Education:
Mechanical Engineer, BBCom
Job title:
Project Director
Department:
Device Projects Global Development
“Novo Nordisk is a dynamic place to work. I've been in six different jobs in the past 15 years, so for me Novo Nordisk has been quite dynamic. You could say the way of delegating responsibility to employees in Novo Nordisk gives the opportunity to - or rather you're expected to seek information around the organization. You’re even motivated to take a job in other parts of the organization, if that's what you want. The company supports that.”
I’m proud…
I’m a project director of a large device project. I'm managing different parts of this organization, participating in the project, managing the project, communicating progress to management and making sure we meet the target plans set up.
I'm proud that we get a lot of design awards for some of the projects we've done and get a lot of recognition for what we're doing.
In a project, a lot of engineers are working with chemicals, electronics or mechanics within the devices. There’s a certain complexity to it. I enjoy doing devices that can change the lives of people with diabetes or other patients we treat.
We hear a lot of anecdotes and people coming back to us saying we make supreme devices, best quality in the world within diabetes. That, of course, is a nice thing to be a part of.
Challenges
For my part the challenges in the job are that we're working on the technical edge of device development, so there are large technical challenges. Because of the devices we make, there is a large complexity in all the functions involved in device development. Working internationally is of course an extra challenge.
But when we do market research with affiliates or customers, it's always within a global perspective. We're discussing issues with leading diabetes experts in the world. We're always making global market research. We think of our products in a global perspective.
It's a specific challenge for us to be in a position to make products for all those people who will be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. That puts enormous pressure on the company to do things in respect to developing the right products.
And of course it also offers a huge opportunity: that we'll be able to make a business out of that. But it should certainly be by supplying the best products available to people with type 2 diabetes who need proper treatment.
My role in managing a device project is, on the one hand, being able to make the right decision for best development. The product we come out with must be functional - as seen from a patient’s perspective - so that we meet the most significant needs of the patient.
On the other hand, we need to make a product which brings business to Novo Nordisk. That's the balance that I need to take responsibility for in my job.
Working at Novo Nordisk is extremely multi-functional. That's the fun part about it. It's multi-disciplinary because we're meeting with people who are responsible for the drug part of it, or the packaging part of it, so we are secure knowing that the contents going into the device meet requirements.
That's the complexity I mentioned earlier. We're not just mechanical engineers talking to mechanical engineers; chemists, doctors, marketers, engineers are working together developing devices.