A short story about me
I am Nikola, a Certified Project Manager (PMP)® with over 10 years of experience leading and managing many international projects. I possess a professional diploma in managing FIDIC Contracts, which is issued by the College of Contract Management, based in the UK.
When it comes to sustainable projects, none concern me more than those belonging to the water, wastewater, battery recycling, or advanced manufacturing sectors. These sectors have brought me close to many projects that have provided services such as project management of water supply systems, wastewater and water treatment plants, and even manufacturing processes for the production of clean technology.
I am very experienced in determining and even implementing the best strategies for achieving the desired balance between the need for efficient resource use, minimization of waste, and ensuring the endurance of whatever resources are left in any sector. My stalwart advocacy of sustainable development and environmental care has also established me as an enhanced practitioner in this domain.
I am a native of Serbian and speak English and Russian fluently while I am learning German currently which demonstrates my ability to traverse the world and work with different people.
Through my more than 15 years of experience, I have managed to earn numerous certifications, diplomas, and licenses. All these accomplishments provide evidence of my commitment to continuous learning clearly showing the knowledge and skills acquired professionally. The notable ones are:
1. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification obtained from the Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s most recognized credential body about the principles and practices of project management.
2. Professional Diploma in FIDIC Contracts, awarded by the College of Contract Management located in the United Kingdom, where my ability to work with the FIDIC suite of contracts on international projects was further enhanced.
3. License 352 - Responsible Designer for Motor Control - Automation, Measuring, and Regulation. This is indicative of my focused skills in advanced automation and control systems designs and implementations.
4. License 453 - Responsible Performer of Works in Automation Systems showing my abilities the performance of works concerning complicated automation projects.
Those above, in tandem with years of practical exposure, have instilled in me the knowledge, skills, and judgment to spearhead the implementation of complex, large scale international projects that are focused on the environment, and their overall efficiency.
15+
10+
Years of International Experience
Years of Hard Work
12+
Multinational Projects
6
Countries I Lived In
My Experience by Country
or just scroll down, to see it in reverse-chronological order
Experience
Engineering Bid Project Manager
SIEMENS d.o.o. Belgrade, Serbia
June 2023 — Present
Acting as a project management expert, I manage offers as well as the implementation of a series of projects for Siemens in its respective fields - which is a great number and covers all types of industries within the domestic area and overseas.
Preparing and handling the submission of the bids is one of the main tasks in which I engage and it is extremely readjusted for every project. Detailed work breakdown, work scheduling, resources, and risks level predictions, and the competitive bidding processes compliant with Siemens and customers’ bidding requirements.
After a project is won, I become a project manager and control every stage of the project from the beginning till the end. This requires the ability to manage cross-functional teams by employing adequate project management strategies and by communicating effectively with the relevant persons to ensure the attainment of the project goals in good time and within the planned expenditures.
During the period of doing this, I efficiently apply the knowledge that I possess of the different solutions available in Siemens Company and the industries served because I am a vision-oriented person and know how to make the clients understand and appreciate value-added services.
Experience
EIA Manager (Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation)
northvolt AB, Stockholm, Sweden
June 2022 — June 2023
The management of the vast network of electrical, instrumentation, information technology, and building management systems (BMS) takes precedence in the state-of-the-art Battery Recycling Giga Factory – Revolt. This enormous manufacturing plant is a technological genius that supports the advanced recycling technology rejuvenating used batteries.
Electrical systems running around the facility demonstrate terrific engineering, delivering power smartly and effectively to the machines turning inside. Every recycling workflows operation is supplemented through control systems supervising and modifying processes in such a way that there are no clashes between them. Controlling a variety of factors, including voltages, currents, temperatures, and even liquids, are extremely precise devices that track data crucial for the functioning of the whole process in real time.
The control technology infrastructure of the facility rests on a strong network which interlinks all sensors, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) and other intelligent equipment. Advanced computing capabilities in conjunction with software analytics provide comprehensive and deep view, extending engineers opportunities to optimize the procedures and forecast the timing for maintenance. One more component of this integrated setup is the building management system (BMS) of the enterprise, which controls such processes as lighting, HVAC system management, access control system management, etc. in order to make the working environment of the enterprise safe conducive and environmentally friendly.
Lately, I have been responsible for leading the engineers who have been managing this particular area of concern and who have shown remarkable flexibility in tackling problems. Their responsibilities also include managing complex dependencies, dealing with problems when they arise in a timely fashion, and constantly improving systems to optimize factory bottlenecks. These challenges were of the most demanding, requiring high skill, commitment, and creativity - attributes often required.
Technical Project Manager for Wastewater Treatment & Utilities
northvolt AB, Stockholm, Sweden
August 2021 — June 2022
Being the person in charge of the Water & Wastewater and Process Utilities for the complete Recycling Battery Factory, I have made sure that everything was thoroughly done. Ever since the preliminary basic design phase, every last detail to the process has been attended by myself working with the engineering team to optimize the systems and help integration.
Inceptively I am charged with the design and execution tasks of the water treatment and distribution systems and wastewater management, which constitutes designing of the water and wastewater systems as per the requirements of the plant, appropriate technology and equipment selection and ensuring all laws and standards are adhered to.
Besides the water and wastewater systems, I was also in charge of the process utilities management which includes compressed air, steam, and power distribution. These are important for the efficiency of the battery recycling processes, and I pay attention to the functionality and performance of these utilities.
I have also been functioning during commissioning stage of the project and working with the operations team to prove out the systems. This encompasses system performance assessment, dealing with problems, and tuning up the system, which is always required to make the system working efficiently.
My extensive project management and process utilities experience and my attention to detail and problem-solving capabilities were key factors which enabled the realizing of this Recycling Battery Plant Giga Factory. I am proud to be involved in all of the critical elements from the design process to commissioning.
Experience
Executive Director
LUDWIG PFEIFFER HOCH- UND TIEFBAU GMBH & CO. KG Kassel, Germany
August 2020 — August 2021
As the Executive Director, I was delegated the full and unsupervised authority in the leadership and management operations of the Ludwig Pfeiffer branch office in Tbilisi, Georgia. Suffice to say, such a position carried with it the obligation of supervising the implementation of a variety of crucial tasks that were fundamental to the functioning of the said organization.
First and foremost, I was in charge of carrying out all the local and foreign payment and trade transactions of the Company. This entailed proper administration of the Company’s operations which includes handling money in and out, doing overseas transaction, and managing the movement of funds for the Company’s projects and activities.
In addition, I was authorized to initiate, modify and/or terminate labor contracts with personnel of the Company. This clause allowed me to create and retain a fit, loyal, and competent workforce to further the agenda of the Corporation. I was in a position to agree on conditions, review and change them, and ensure that the Company’s workforce reorganization was consistent with its business strategy.
Moreover, I have performed the role of the person governing all ongoing Projects throughout the territory of Georgia.
In my capacity as the Executive director of Ludwig Pfeiffer's branch located in Tbilisi, I settled in a highly responsible and influential position. My duties involved management of a number of primary activities such as, but not limited to, infrastructure and market development.
Here, I was charged with three main functions: managing the transverse groups of specialists, distributing the resources and ensuring the completion of these projects in time and within the budget. This undertakings turned out to be of strategic importance for the expansion of the Company in that particular region.
What’s more, I had an obligation to ensure the participation and cooperation of all relevant parties, including the high government officials in Georgia, with whom I worked very closely. This involved building working relationships and trying to reach consensus while balancing the competing targets of the Company and the country’s economic and political system. The ability to effectively manage and work within such constellations of stakeholders was central to my function role as it allowed the Company to operate within the environment, achieve permit requirements and achieve its business goals.
In conclusion, executive director of the Ludwig Pfeiffer’s Tbilisi branch, was a very responsible and authority demanding position, where in addition to the management of different functions, alliances were built for the purpose of achieving success of the Company in the Georgian market.
Contractor's Representative Project Manager
LUDWIG PFEIFFER HOCH- UND TIEFBAU GMBH & CO. KG Kassel, Germany
February 2018 — August 2020
In the capacity of the Contractor’s Representative Project Manager for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project in the town of Zugdidi, Georgia, I was charged with the responsibility of the project in its entirety. This included the Design, Supply, and Installation of the Zugdidi Wastewater Treatment Plant and extended to all civil, mechanical, and electrical aspect of the project in order to deliver the works as per the Clients satisfied requirements.
The other aspect of my role as the Contractor’s Representative Project Manager was of utmost importance that can be explained by the success of the execution of the Zugdidi WWTP project. I was in charge of the design team, procurement team, and the installation team in a bid to ensure that all components of the project were well integrated and completed in a timely manner. This entailed regular updating of the client on the project progress, tracking in a project timeline and plan any progress that was curbed to issues that arose during the course of the project.
Another focal point of my duties was to ensure the quality and the legality of the work done. I kept an eye on the domestic and foreign civil works, as well as on the mechanical and electrical ones, to check whether they complied with the project requirements, local building regulations, and practices accepted in the industry.
In the capacity of the Contractor’s Representative Project Manager for the Individual Contract of Zugdidi Wastewater Treatment Plant, I was fully engaged not only in the technical aspects of the project but also in overall project management and coordination. I was in charge of the preparation and implementation of detailed project schedule, ensured adherence to the project budget, and deployed resources to complete the project within the set time and budget allocation. This included bringing various subcontracting efforts together, controlling supply chains, and dealing with related administrative/logistic issues during the entire period of the project.
Every step of the way during the project, I ensured that there were no communication barriers with the client and that they were also very much kept abreast with the developments of the project, the schedule, any issues or questions, including if there were any particular needs from the client’s side. This working relationship was very important in ensuring the client trusted the team and worked professionally with them which contributed to the successful completion of the plant works at Zugdidi.
In conclusion, I was the Contractor’s Project Manager who oversaw the entire operational aspect of the development of the Zugdidi Wastewater Treatment Plant and made sure all the design, supply, and installation processes were performed at the highest quality, in compliance with the deadlines and project requirements.
EIA Project Manager (Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation)
LUDWIG PFEIFFER HOCH- UND TIEFBAU GMBH & CO. KG Kassel, Germany
January 2017 — February 2018
In the capacity of an EIA Project Manager, I was entrusted with the supervision of several crucial wastewater and water treatment plants in the Georgian town of Anaklia, Ureki and Mesta. This all-encompassing job included the electrical, instrumentation and control systems necessary for the efficient operation of the said infrastructural projects.
In my role, I answered straight to the project stakeholders while making sure that every stage of the design, procurement and installation complied with the set standards. This also meant overseeing the implementation process to ensure standards met the works as per the employer’s requirements, the law in particular FIDIC (Fédération Internationale Des Ingénieurs-Conseils) and other laws.
Part of my work was also working together with the design engineers, the equipment suppliers and the construction teams to ensure proper fit of all systems. This bears understanding the core problems technically and exchanging ways to overcome them within the government systems.
As I am responsible and caring specialist, I paid and continue to pay particular attention to the health of the people in the environments I work in.
Sustaining the highest level of quality assurance and control, and compliance is achievable with these projects in this region, without a doubt a new standard has been set for any subsequent infrastructure projects in this region.
Experience
Contractor's Representative Project Manager
LUDWIG PFEIFFER HOCH- UND TIEFBAU GMBH & CO. KG Kassel, Germany
June 2016 — January 2017
As the Project Manager in charge of the Water Supply System project located in Bulancak, Turkey, I have been given the task of leading and managing the whole project in contributing to the successful completion of the entire undertaking. This has included examining and overseeing many facets of the construction of the water system including civil works, mechanical works, and electrical works in order to meet the demands of the contract in the best way possible.
The Water Supply System project in Bulancak posed significance since its primary objective was to ensure that the residents of the city have access to safe potable water. The project includes various works such as a water treatment plant, pumping stations, a reservoir, pipe laying and installation of fittings and valves. That being said, the Project Manager was in charge of all aspects of the project’s scope, hence the completion of the project within the allocated schedule.
One of the key concerns that was a challenge was the geography of the portfolio sites. The project sites were located in and around a mountainous region in northern Turkey making issues of access and logistics a continuous challenge. Nevertheless, given good planning accompanied by a skilled workforce, these challenges were surmounted.
The civic structures segment of the work associated with the project covered the erecting of the water treatment plants and pumping and provision storage structures. As the Contractor’s Representative Project Manager, I am pleased to provide a completion report of the two-year design and build project – water supply system bulancak. The project construction was finished to the highest possible degree, adhered to all safety and other legal requirements.
The integration of mechanical and electrical works involved naturally sophisticated equipment including, high efficiency pumps, valve sets and control apparatus to guarantee the optimal functioning of the water distribution system.
During the entire duration of the project, I was in constant communication with local authorities, stakeholders, and the construction team with the aim of ensuring that the project was carried out as per the contract and within the stipulated time. Keeping the project on track and eventually delivering it successfully, regular progress monitoring, risk management and active issue resolution were of utmost importance.
Notwithstanding the geographical reach and the challenging nature of the project, Water Supply System Bulancak was completed by all requirements. The water project since then, has been serving the city residents by providing safe and clean water, which has been beneficial to their standard of living and economic growth of the whole place.
It is with great significance that I witnessed the execution of this major infrastructure project.
Experience
EIA Site Manager (Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation)
LUDWIG PFEIFFER HOCH- UND TIEFBAU GMBH & CO. KG Kassel, Germany
June 2015 — June 2016
As I am an Electrical, Instrumentation & Automation (EIA) Manager, there are several interesting projects, which I got a chance to experience in the Central Asian country Kyrgyzstan. This started when my company entered to the market seeking contracts for many of the infrastructure works in the country. After the qualifying stage for the proposals, we were awarded with two main contracts which include the northern and southern hygiene lots comprising in total six project sites.
As a tender preparation EIA engineer, I was engaged in writing the clear cut tenders as well as going out to source for the required research, analysis and technical planning for the succor charts of the projects. This required intensive examinations on how each of the sections will be made up, the types of equipment needed, how they will be carried out, and how the finances will be allocated. It was an evolution that was both difficult and enjoyable, because we also had to make sure that our proposals were technically persuasive and economically feasible.
When the contracts were won I was then elevated to the position of Design Engineer, allowing me to focus even more on the technical details of the projects. This included creating detailed engineering designs and defining equipment and systems for the designs developed, while adhering to all applicable codes and standards. It was a crucial stage, because all of the designs I created had to be prepared and submitted for the FIDIC Engineer, who served as the projects’ independent supervisor, approval process
Subsequently, my organization decided to further entrust me with practical tasks by appointing me as the EIA Site Manager. This entails me leading the execution and implementation of the projects with the assistance of the Project Managers and other relevant people to promote progress and deliver the works on time.
The locations of the respective projects posed considerable geographical challenges. The three sites situated in the northern region that comprised of Balakchy, Cholpon-Ata, and Karakol were located in a mountainous area while the three in the southern region that included Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Bazar-Korgon were spread in another area of the country. The only feasible way to travel between the north and south was by air which meant flying every two weeks to each of the six locations.
Logistics and infrastructure constraints, environmental factors, and cultural aspects were some of the challenges that each project had. Thankfully, we had a competent and loyal team that was able to conquer all of these challenges and finalize to the delight of our clients every project on or before the agreed time and budget. This was a clear manifestation of what teamwork and cooperation along with the unyielding need to perfect every work carry out can result in.
The spirit of working together and commitment to success oriented objective remains a defining feature of the work I undertook In Kyrgyzstan. As I look back, it has been a long and arduous process, not just in terms of work but in the evolution of me as a person. Managing such activities in a multicultural environment or on international projects has been very beneficial in broadening my horizons and will be crucial in my future endeavors.
Experience
Lead Electrical Engineer
DVP Tamiš Dunav Pančevo, Serbia
September 2008 — June 2015
As the Lead Electrical Engineer, I had the duty to coordinate the program for upgrading the facilities associated electrical and automation systems, including the pumping stations, the water gates, and the water wells. Modernization of the systems was the main concern, which was based on the raw and cutting-edge effective technologies in the engineering practice, aiming at making the systems more reliable and efficient, as well as overall performance.
The work in question involved replacing the obsolete electrical parts, introducing new control, automation, and supervision systems, and connecting a number of sensors that would enable monitoring and data processing in real-time. This was done in order to manage energy, maintenance costs, and stabilize the draining process of the water in the pumping stations. Congruently, the modification of the water gates provided the functionality to regulate the volume of water that could further aid in optimizing resources and controlling flooding.
On the other hand, the projects’ successful implementation has transformed the outdated critical system into a more advanced and functioning one, towards the realization of the company’s vision of providing reliable and effective service management.
The objective of the project was to completely modernize the entire water system. This included provision of new pumps, installation of groundwater observation systems and automated control systems to improve the well field management.
During the execution phase of the project, I maintained close cooperation with the facility's operators and maintenance personnel to effect changes without hitches and train extensively on the new systems. Successful completion of this projects has led to enhanced, advanced and efficient drainage water network system.
Education
After finishing my high school education, I enrolled with honor in the University of Belgrade, one of the best if not the best university in the whole region. I joined the School of Electrical Engineering concentrating on the electronics, telecommunications and automation department. While at the university, my interest in electronics reached new levels where I came to appreciate all the details of electronic, communication and also automation control systems all of which involve circuitry.
The syllabus of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering aimed at ensuring productive learning through thorough instruction of the students on the theoretical and practical aspects of the discipline. From the combination of lectures, laboratory classes and projects, I gained adequate knowledge on the concepts underlying the design, production and servicing of electronic systems.
In addition to mandatory subjects focused on electronic systems, communications and control systems also caught my focus, where I have learned a lot about the modern technologies present in the world today. Ranging from how certain data can be sent and retrieved via multiple communication methods to how these systems are executed and their operational processes controlled, I developed more in this field only to emerge as a well-rounded in electrical engineering.
Today, I am a graduate of the University of Belgrade who recognizes and appreciates the many layers that the field of electronics encompasses, and is eager to help this field grow in any possible way. Given the tools I have obtained as a university undergraduate, I am ready to assist the embrace o otomodern technology and the socio-economic development of the environment.
SOCIAL NETWORKS
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