“We make sure that our employees benefit from the best conditions, so that they are motivated and perform at the highest level.”

Interview with Gerasimos Contoguris Gerasimos Contoguris, the new People & Culture director of Philip Morris Romania.

1.
Why is the Top Employer certification for Philip Morris Romania important? What key factors have led to Philip Morris recognition as a top employer in 2025?

The Top Employer certification is essential for Philip Morris Romania because it reflects the company's commitment to create a working environment appreciated by the current employees, but also by future employees. This certification, obtained for the eleventh consecutive year, shows that we implement the best practices in the field of human resources, promote professional development opportunities for employees and encourage continuous learning. In addition, we are concerned about the well -being of our colleagues and attach importance to investments in people and economics.

What helped us get this certification? Creating a working environment in which each employee feels valued and respected. Prioritizing the professional development of employees, to whom we offer continuous opportunities for learning and access to career training and advancement programs. The well -being of our colleagues is also a priority, offering extensive benefits, such as premium medical insurance, wellness programs, personal and professional development opportunities. And the culture of innovation is an important factor that has contributed to this success. We encourage colleagues to come up with new ideas and solutions and to contribute, in this way, to a dynamic and future -oriented job. Due to these practices, Philip Morris Romania manages to attract and retain top talents, and thus strengthen its position of top employer, both internationally and in Romania.

2.
What is the biggest challenge when you have to recruit personally?

In an extremely competitive labor market, qualified candidates often receive multiple offers, and employers must come up with attractive packages for them. At Philip Morris Romania we are ready to attract top talents, but also to motivate our employees to remain and contribute to the success of the company.

We are always looking for talents, whether we are talking about management positions or very specialized roles for the Philip Morris Romania factory in Otopeni, so attracting the right candidates is essential. The top employer certification is very important in this regard and can make the difference when it comes to looking for a job. For those who want to join the Philip Morris Romania team, the Top Employer certification is a clear proof of our commitment to employees and reflects our dedication to create a working environment in which their unique perspectives, experiences and talents are valorized.

3.
What benefits do you offer to employees?

Today, companies are increasingly paying attention to employees' expectations – whether current or potential – and focus on the clear communication of the benefits adapted to the needs of each generation. At Philip Morris Romania, we offer competitive wage packages and relevant, essential benefits to differentiate on an increasingly crowded market. Thus, we make sure that our employees benefit from the best conditions, so that they are motivated and perform at the highest level.

Another important aspect is our solid organizational culture that makes employees feel accepted and valued, thus contributing to a positive and motivating working environment. This approach not only improves the image of the company, but also attracts professionals who are looking for a job where they can really feel part of the team. We clearly communicate the unique benefits we offer, such as professional development opportunities, mentoring programs and a working environment in which each voice matters. We also emphasize transparency and open communication in the recruitment process, to build confidence and attract candidates who align with our values.

4.
What are the pillars that Philip Morris Romania builds their reputation?

Undoubtedly, people are our most valuable asset. At Philip Morris Romania we created an environment in which each of the more than 1,500 employees is recognized for its unique contribution. When we talk about our creativity, innovation and resilience, we talk, in fact, about our people. Through them these qualities come to life.

Promoting a culture based on performance and collaboration is essential for us. We make sure that all our colleagues feel accepted, appreciated and recognized for what they are. We are attentive to every employee, we listen carefully to personal experiences and understand the individual situations. We constantly adapt our policies to respond to each other's needs. We listen to the voices of our colleagues through periodic polls and we do our best to respond to the needs that come from them. Whether it is a parent who divides his time between family and work, a young man at the beginning of a professional road or a person with disabilities, we are here to provide the necessary support.

5.
How do you help the employees align with the company's values ​​and principles, recognizing that they are the main representatives of the organization?

At Philip Morris Romania, we are constantly concerned about being close to our people. In 2024, we encoded our organizational culture in the “PMI DNA” (“PMI DNA”) and pointed out that our employees are essential for the success of the business and integrated into everything we do. The PMI DNA focuses on three basic values: we care, together we are better and we are innovative. We strongly believe that each voice matters and that the uniqueness of each employee brings value to the team. And our employees are the most important ambassadors of our values ​​and principles. In order to support them to identify with them, they need to understand the values ​​and mission of the company and how they can contribute to our common success. Through recognition programs, such as employees' awards, we make sure that their efforts and contributions are appreciated and visible.

At the company level, we assumed the mission to build a smoke-free future. We are aware that it is an ambitious goal that we want to transform as soon as possible. An important step is that, in 2024, almost 40% of the company's income globally came from smoke -free products – a result that reflects the continuous efforts of our team. For this, we have developed professional development programs and continuous trainings for employees, who not only improve their skills, but strengthen their connection with our values. We encourage open communication, feedback and permanent dialogue between employees and management and organize regular meetings and active listening sessions, in which colleagues can express their opinions and suggestions.

In conclusion, it is not an exaggeration when they say that, for our company, employees are its heart and soul. We are proud of our team and the contributions of each member, which helps us build a smoke -free future.