A Black Coffee with… Afef Ftouhi
Challenges are there to be tackled together: Afef Ftouhi is Plant Manager in Bir Drassen, Tunisia, and she leads her team with ambition and a sense of community. Find out more!
Early in the morning, when Afef Ftouhi enters the Fresenius Kabi plant in Bir Drassen, Tunisia, she has already gotten a lot done: After waking up, Afef enjoys a calm cup of black coffee and a sweet breakfast before waking up her children and taking care of her dogs. Upon stepping into the building, she kicks into gear for work: “I set up and then I go around the offices to say good morning to my team and ask about how everyone is doing. After another coffee, I open my laptop and off we go,” she says.
“Before becoming Plant Manager, I was a Production Manager here, and I’ve kept the habit of walking the production floor. I like to be closer to what’s happening, and to my team.” Her team – that is over 400 people producing and administrating in the plant every day. “I like working together so closely, I like to train people and I like the challenge! I think that as Plant Manager, you have to be really agile. We improve and change all the time, and I thrive on these challenges. Launching new projects, working hard, and then celebrating the achievement, it’s the best part of my job.”
With a background as a mechanical engineer and having worked in the automotive industry before switching, Afef not only found new challenges at Fresenius Kabi, but also new meaning: “For me, our ‘caring for life’ mission doesn’t stop with producing devices that can help other people survive. Really it is the mission of all our lives. As a mom, as a daughter, and as a leader, I know what it means to care.”
Want to know more about Afef?
We asked her a few questions:
What is special about working in your team?
Young team dynamic, full of energy, optimistic and enthusiastic. We have a common dream: to make Fresenius Kabi Tunisia one of our most impressive plants worldwide.
How do you define success?
Success is being able to do your best every day in all roles you have in life, whether it is a role of a son or daughter, parent, a leader, or an employee. That’s something I aspire to every day.
What is your favorite quote?
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” (A. Schweitzer)
Three words to best describe you:
Enthusiasm
Challenger
Optimism
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to spend time with my daughters, we take care of the garden and play with the dogs.
I also go to the gym and practice boxing. And I dedicate time to my friends, we like to go out and to have fun.
Meet other Fresenius Kabi employees
Get to know more people who embody "caring for life" every day.