Amanda S.
Amanda S.
Business Intelligence Manager
Business Leadership Finance
South America

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Top advice

"Don’t be afraid!"

Career path

About Amanda S.

Key experience
From Finance Student to Market Intelligence: A New Worldview!
When I joined Dechra, I thought it would just be another company where I would stay for a maximum of two years. Surprisingly, I am now celebrating my fourth anniversary here. A journey full of constant growth and learning. I started in the Cost and Financial Planning department, believing that would be my main contribution to the company. During my maternity leave, I received an unexpected invitation to take over the Transformation department, leading global innovation projects and working on cross-functional initiatives with teams from different countries and cultures. What is the value of such an experience? Later, I was invited by the commercial board to lead the Business Intelligence area, a department to be built from scratch. I accepted the challenge with a mix of enthusiasm and apprehension, not knowing exactly where to start. Since then, the leadership has genuinely supported me, understanding my situation and giving me the time and space needed to grow. Today, I contribute daily to the creation of new strategies that directly impact the organisation's direction. The value of this experience for my professional development is immeasurable. Dechra continually challenges me to go beyond, always maintaining a balance between personal and professional life as a priority. What will my next step be here? I can't wait to find out!
Current position
I manage a secret agent department for data!
In the world of business, data reigns supreme! In my current role, I’m at the helm of keeping a sharp eye on the market, dissecting competitor performance, and spotting trends that range from the shopping habits and lifestyles of pet owners and their furry companions to fluctuations in commodity prices. We dive deep into commercial indicators, scrutinizing everything from geographic reach and sales effectiveness to marketing strategies and the innovation pipeline coming from our R&D team. Our mission? To turn data into actionable insights that empower every team to see the true impact of their efforts. We gather intel from all corners, and most of the time, we're crafting dynamic dashboards, comprehensive reports, and engaging training sessions. All of this ensures our teams are not just informed but equipped to make game-changing strategic decisions. Working in finance was very interesting, and without a doubt, what I did added a lot of value to Dechra. But market intelligence allows me to contribute in a unique way: helping people see what no one else is seeing. There is a disruptive freedom in this work, a chance to create. To create almost infinite indicators, with the freedom to monitor the world if we want. And that's exactly where the magic lies: we have a universe of possibilities, but it's up to us to decide what really matters to track and analyze. I am grateful to Dechra for giving me the opportunity to navigate such enriching areas, not only for my professional life but also for my personal growth
Main motivation
It is the mix of challenges, discoveries, collaboration & creativity
One day, I learned from a CEO that a company, without people, is just concrete and a bunch of things that could turn into scrap. In other words, everything we do, in some way, revolves around people, for people, and with people. And working in business intelligence gives me the privilege of helping them achieve their goals. This creates a strong feeling of connection and being part of the same team. There is something very special about knowing that every number and every piece of data represents real people — customers, colleagues, partners. When I look at data, I don’t just see charts and tables; I see stories, behaviors, desires. In the end, it’s this mix of challenges, discoveries, collaboration, and creativity that motivates me to come to work every day with a smile on my face. Knowing that I am doing something that matters, that helps people grow and, consequently, helps the company prosper, and that allows me to learn and evolve constantly, makes all the difference. And who knows what else I will discover tomorrow? This curiosity and enthusiasm are what make my job so special and rewarding
Top advice
Don’t be afraid!
I would have missed a great opportunity to come to work feeling radiant every day, if I had closed myself off to new things, that seemed outside my field of study. Move freely among the different areas of the company, be ready to help, and when asked for help, go above and beyond. And always follow through on what you agree to do! Be someone others can trust, have empathy, and never get stuck in 'it's always been done this way.' It's like becoming a problem solver, the kind of person you'd want on your team, someone you can trust to get things done. Roll up your sleeves and don't be fussy!
Greatest achievement
To have the courage to change fields...
It may seem like a strange answer, but I confess that, in the beginning, I thought I wouldn't be able to handle it. And what about the P&Ls? How could I simply leave them behind? I was very attached to what I had built, in a way, in the Cost and FP&A department. All those improvement projects, in which I dedicated hundreds of hours and worked hard to bring to life, would simply be left in the past. That's how it felt, and it created a strange feeling in me. I looked at what lay ahead and imagined it was something much bigger than what I could offer. To begin with, I didn't have technical knowledge in the veterinary field. Analyzing so many products on the market, understanding the differences between them from the labels, identifying which ones are our direct competitors and which have market potential... and even understanding what the price of cattle, soybeans, or corn has to do with our production? I had to stop looking only inside the company and open my eyes to the external world. After 12 months in this new position, I can see how much all my previous experiences shaped me to thrive in this new challenge. All the projects, the ability to organize numbers, prepare reports, communicate with various departments, see the business as a whole, and demonstrate resilience and partnership — all of this was my safe harbor. Sometimes, the difference lies in the trivial things. And today, I look to the future with great enthusiasm, knowing that I still have a lot to contribute to Dechra's growth as a whole and to the development of my team.

Discussions with Amanda S.

In what ways will my career progression be supported?

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Why did you choose this company?

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How do you work in a team in your job?

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