Photo Dopharma Labels team. From left to right: Daphne, Alicia, Marthe, Foke. © Dopharma 2025
Let’s meet the members of this team
Alicia:
I’m Alicia and I’ve been working at Dopharma for about eight years now. I initially started in the Marketing department, but I’ve recently become part of the new Labels Team. I am the point of contact for our customers and distributors regarding labels. In addition, I work with Daphne on designing our labels and I check the designs to ensure that our corporate identity is applied correctly. In my free time, I enjoy sports, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Foke:
My name is Foke. It is my responsibility to ensure that the packaging materials for our veterinary medicines comply with national and international laws and regulations. Checking the texts on the labels is one of my tasks. I also answer all kinds of questions—from distributors about proposed adjustments, to colleagues from Purchasing about ordering packaging materials, and from Supply Chain about which label versions should be used. I also occasionally review texts for the Marketing department. When the Labels Team was formed, I was asked to take on the role of team leader. I feel honoured to take on this responsibility within such a lovely group. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and walking. I also do mantrailing with our dog Pien and I sing in a choir.
Marthe:
Hi, I’m Marthe! Until recently I worked in the Research department as a secretary, but to improve collaboration, I’ve now joined the Labels Team. I mainly focus on drafting the texts and help with the national phase. I send the texts to the authorities of all the countries where the product will be sold. They check the text on a national level in their own language. After that, I send the texts to the Labels Team so they can design the labels, and I check the labels for any errors. Outside of work, I enjoy watching films or series on Netflix.
Daphne:
My name is Daphne and I’ve been working at Dopharma for a year now. Like Alicia, I work on designing labels, but I mainly focus on the technical side of the design and packaging. This includes checking the colours and dimensions of a design. I liaise regularly with the departments Production, Print Shop, and our site in France to ensure that producing the label is feasible. This especially applies to newly designed labels. I also regularly take product photos for Marketing, which are used on the website and in flyers and brochures. Outside of work, I volunteer at the animal shelter in Breda and I enjoy going for walks.
You’ve recently become a fully-fledged team. How did that come about?
Foke:
When we were all working separately, we noticed that communication wasn’t always smooth. Both Research and Labels contribute to a product label, and coordination is needed to keep everything on track. About a year ago, I started sitting with the Labels team one day a week and we noticed that when communication lines are shorter, everything runs more efficiently.
Alicia:
We’ve noticed the process is much quicker now, because we can immediately check things with each other and discuss our approach on the spot. Previously, this took more time as we had to email back and forth, while also juggling other tasks.
Are there any routine tasks you perform every day?
Alicia:
We receive many questions daily from colleagues and external parties, so answering emails is a constant part of our work.
Daphne:
Naturally, we also design, adjust, and check labels. Where possible, we optimise our process.
Which internal stakeholders do you work with most closely to keep the labelling process running smoothly?
Alicia:
The Sales and Supply Chain colleagues determine which products have the highest priority, based on current orders.
Foke:
The texts for the product information are created or amended during the (registration) procedures submitted by the Research department. We use these texts to design the labels. PMD (Product Master Documentation) is also informed by us so that they can create or update the article in EBS. We are in frequent contact with our colleagues in Supply Chain, Production, and the Print Shop to determine what is technically and logistically feasible. So, all in all, many departments are involved in the overall process.
Daphne:
When a new format or technical adjustment is being considered, we check with Logistics, Production, and Purchasing to see if there are any factors we need to take into account.
What are your plans for the coming period as a team?
Foke:
We’ve noticed that we now work more efficiently as a team. By operating as one team, we have a clearer view of the entire process and can also identify bottlenecks more easily. We want to continue this improved communication within the Labels Team in our collaboration with other departments at Dopharma. That’s our main focus in the coming period. We aim to be involved in the entire product process—from thinking up a product name and drafting the product information text to determining the layout and format of the label.
What does a typical working day look like for you?
Alicia:
We all start the day fairly early and begin by checking our inboxes to identify priorities. We also work with a task list that guides us and shows all tasks, priorities, and statuses.
Foke:
At the end of the day, I try to prepare a to-do list for the next day.
What makes your work enjoyable?
Daphne:
The variety in my work is what I really enjoy, especially because we deal with different texts, formats, and countries. It’s very satisfying when you manage to fit a long piece of text neatly onto a label. In exceptional cases, we can discuss it directly and work together to find a suitable solution for everyone.
Can you share a fun moment or something memorable that happened at work?
Foke:
We share our office with Kseniya (PMD), and I think I speak for everyone when I say the atmosphere in the department is very enjoyable. We work hard, but there’s also lots of laughter. Recently, the five of us had a successful team outing at an escape room and went out for pizza afterwards. Earlier this year, we also prepared lunch together, with everyone bringing something tasty.
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