Turning Career Mobility into Lasting Impact
What happens when you combine a passion for learning with the courage to take on new challenges? You get a lasting career spanning brand management, digital transformation, product ownership, and IT leadership. We sat down with Zhanna, Senior Manager on our IT & Digital team, whose journey shows how career mobility can unlock unexpected opportunities and lasting impact.
Can you walk us through the different roles you've held during your time at Nestlé?
I joined the company in 2013, starting as a Brand Manager in Purina’s local Eastern European market. I was then promoted to Brand Manager of the Purina portfolio across emerging markets. From there, I transitioned into a Digital Coordinator, relocating to Barcelona, followed by a role as Product Owner for our veterinary properties across Europe. Today, I serve as a Functional Relationship Manager based in St. Louis.
I sit at the intersection where business meets technology, and I enable the two parts to talk to each other. I'm the bridge between Marketing, Sales, and eBusiness on one side, and our IT and Digital delivery teams on the other. That means one hour I'm helping a brand team translate "we want a smarter customer experience" into a real, fundable IT initiative, and the next I'm untangling ownership on a cross-regional project, routing a request to the right person, or making a single introduction that expedites a colleague’s business needs.
I spend much of my time framing business problems, developing business cases, leading vendor conversations, and keeping major initiatives such as our eCommerce content automation, data foundations, and rollouts moving forward.
But underneath all the projects, the real job is trust: being the person business partners and technical teams can call when something matters, even if it’s outside my scope, and knowing enough about both worlds to connect the dots quickly. I'm not just here to deliver technology. I'm here to ensure that the right people, priorities, and solutions find each other.
What inspired you to pursue a career in IT?
The opportunity to learn something new while having a solid Purina background. The opportunity to use my knowledge under a different lens deepened my understanding of the business and its evolving needs while pursuing technology advancements and what it truly means to be One Team and win together.
What learning opportunities or development programs have been most valuable to you?
Two things stand out. First, the opportunity to take on different roles within Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) based on my interests. ERGs allow you to flex new muscles, develop skills outside of your day-to-day, and network with wonderful people across our organization. And, no doubt, mentoring a senior leader from the company. That experience taught me so much and opened many doors.
What's a project you are particularly proud of and why?
I would say bringing the Women Leadership Forum to Barcelona while I was there, opening the doors for more women to try different roles within IT, and leading #IAmRemarkable workshops.
I also participated with Women in STEMM, Empowered, and Pride campaigns, so I can't choose one! I love being a mirror and showing people how incredible they are and the amazing job they do both inside and outside the organization. The ability to inspire, support, and network with incredible people across the organization built meaningful relationships that helped me succeed in my career.
How has your growing role allowed you to make a bigger impact on the business?
As my role continued to grow, so did the opportunity to lead more projects, collaborate more with others, and partner with regional and global teams. It had a rolling snowball effect in a positive way! I was able to witness people enhance their understanding of IT, what we do in real time, and be more open to partnership and collaboration.
We’re always looking for talented individuals ready to take the next step in their careers. Enroll in our talent community, so you can be the first to know when we have openings in your area of interest.
