Michael Bland

I’m Michael Bland, Director - Customer Service, Logistics and Quality. I have been at Octapharma for over 18 years! If you ask me, one of the best things about working at Octapharma is career opportunity. There is plenty of room for advancement — just look at my experience. I started out as the Executive Assistant to the General Manager. After a year I was promoted to Customer Service Liaison. I worked in this position for almost a decade before being promoted to Manager – Customer Service/Logistics, a role I held for four years. Most recently, I was promoted to Director – Customer Service, Logistics and Quality. The company has always encouraged me to grow in my professional career and has provided me those opportunities as well as the support I needed to be successful. It is almost surreal when I look back to my first days with Octapharma. It has been a long but exciting journey.

Working here, there is never a dull moment. Challenges arise on a daily basis, and I love working with my co-workers to overcome them. I have a real sense of accomplishment knowing we hit our sales goals at the end of every month. It is especially gratifying when we receive last-minute instructions to sell more product and we come together to complete the job. Granted it can be very stressful, but when the last order goes out and we hit our mark, it is satisfying knowing we accomplished what we were asked to do on a very limited time schedule with many variables to consider. Simply put…We get the job done.

Another plus about working at Octapharma is the team environment. My co-workers are fantastic. While work can be quite demanding at times, my co-workers are always there to help ease the stress. Whether it is sitting down to lunch and listening to funny childhood stories or engaging in a debate on an unusual topic (what would be your superpower for example) my co-workers always have a way of making the stressful moments not so stressful. I’ve made some life-long friends here over the past 18 years. I’ve enjoyed working here so much that I can honestly see myself retiring with this company.

It helps that the culture at Octapharma is family-centric, supportive, and understanding. You feel as if you are a part of a big family. From Senior Management down there is no shortage of people willing to lend a hand or provide advice on both a professional and personal level. The company-sponsored Happy Hours provide the opportunity to really get to know each other outside of work. I’ve always felt that this company sees me as more than just an employee. There have been many times when Octapharma has stepped up and provided much needed help and support.

Curious about what it takes to be successful at Octapharma? Be very flexible. Plans can change at a moment’s notice here. Have an open mind and just be yourself.