Meet Lucia Hlavačková, Quality Assurance Manager from Kostolné Kračany

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Tell us about yourself and your role at Mondelēz International.

Currently, I work as a Quality Manager at Mondelēz International, leading efforts to ensure top-tier food safety and quality standards at the Kostolné Kračany plant. My primary focus is ensuring food safety, compliance with international standards, and building strong quality mindsets among shopfloor employees. I have been deeply involved in integrating Chipita into Mondelēz, working on the standard level and developing a structured quality system from the ground up.

I have always been passionate about science, its application in real-world production, food safety, and continuous learning. I have a strong academic background in biotechnology and genetic engineering, where I pursued my PhD across four different universities in four countries—an experience that shaped my ability to adapt, work in diverse environments, and constantly push myself forward. I have worked in the food industry, specializing in quality, research and development (R&D), and manufacturing excellence.

How would you describe your career path?

I started my professional journey in leadership roles, specializing in R&D, Quality Management, leading technology initiatives, working on product portfolio development, food safety regulations, and innovation strategies.

One of my most defining career moments was joining Mondelēz at a critical time—integrating Chipita into Mondelēz’s global standards, building a quality system from scratch in a newly built factory while ensuring that employees, many of whom had no prior experience in the food industry, developed a strong food safety mindset. This experience reinforced my passion for people development and showed me that investing in people's growth is as important as achieving business results. The acquisition was a challenge that pushed me beyond my comfort zone, requiring adaptability, leadership, and strategic thinking.

What challenges have you encountered in your journey?

The most complex challenge I faced was starting in a green field factory and developing an entire system from scratch, on top of that, leading the integration of Chipita and Mondelēz in the quality field, which required implementing and complying with global standards on the shop floor in a way that ensured long-term sustainability.

On a personal level, the biggest challenge for me was when I had to learn that being a perfectionist isn’t always the best approach. In a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, striving for excellence is important, but learning to accept a “good enough” approach in the right situations was a significant lesson. Leadership is about growing alongside the team based on open and transparent communication. Each person learns at their own pace, and investing time in their development is just as important as achieving results.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job has been seeing employees grow and increase their confidence in relation to food safety topics.

How would you describe Mondelēz’s culture?

Mondelēz has a strong culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. What I appreciate the most is the focus on people development—the company invests in training, leadership growth, and creating an environment where employees feel valued. At Mondelēz, there is a strong sense of teamwork and support, even when facing complex challenges. The company encourages open communication, problem-solving, and knowledge sharing, which helps drive success across all levels of the organization.

How does being part of the team at the Kostolné Kračany plant in Slovakia feel?

The Kostolné Kračany plant is a unique place where I’ve witnessed the significant effort and extra work we put into continuously improving our systems and the strong relationships and friendships we have built. Even when faced with challenges, these connections foster a collaborative environment where we care for one another. The commitment to excellence, helping each other succeed, and driving progress has been a source of motivation.

How would you describe the manufacturing, engineering, and production world?

The manufacturing world is dynamic, fast-paced, and full of opportunities for improvement. It’s a field where technical knowledge and leadership go hand in hand. To succeed, you must balance operational efficiency with a strong focus on quality and safety.

If I could advise someone entering this field, it would be:

• Invest in People: The key to long-term success is building a knowledgeable and engaged team. Training and development should always be a priority.
• Stay Calm Under Pressure: In high-stakes situations, maintaining composure helps the team stay focused and find solutions.
• Be Authentic: Leadership is not about appearing perfect. Being open about challenges and showing vulnerability builds trust and strengthens teamwork.

Looking back, I have always been driven by a passion for understanding, improving, and leading change. My journey has been shaped by resilience, a willingness to embrace challenges, and continuous self-development. As I grow at Mondelēz, I remain committed to driving quality and food safety excellence while empowering those around me.