The story of Ksatria Airlangga's work and quality never ends. One more figure whose work inspires and is an alumnus of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) in 1990. Eka Savitri Tamanbali is now the Director of Operations at one of Indonesia's speciality chemical distribution and importing companies. Namely, PT Megasetia Agung Kimia.

The woman was born in Denpasar on March 11, 1966, and graduated from the Bachelor of Pharmacy and Pharmacist, Faculty of Pharmacy, UNAIR class of 1985. Eka - her nickname - completed her undergraduate and professional education in 5.5 years on time. A fairly fast time for UNAIR Pharmacist graduates at that time.

Basic Capital for Comprehensive Thinking 

Starting from Eka's success in getting an invitation to study at the Faculty of Pharmacy UNAIR, despite never aspiring to be a pharmacist, she was able to study and succeed in the field. In her opinion, learning pharmaceutical science seriously, understanding, and implementing it well can be one of the basic assets to thinking comprehensively. Then it also makes her a neat (and quality), zero-waste, and timely person. 

"So, timely means everything is in order and nothing is delayed or wrong (best quality). When doing something in sequence, we already know and prepare what before another and what after another, and we have planned the target and the result," she said.

Eka always believes that it will give her something (benefit) wherever she studies. She is never picky. For her, all knowledge is good. "So, if I'm already involved in something, I have to be excellent at it. I don't see whether it's 'cool' or not," she explained.

Strong in Principle 

When she started working, Eka had a principle that she only wanted to work in a place where she had an allowance. That is the authority to do what she wants and can contribute maximally. Like in a Multinational Company, Eka does not want to work where she can only follow fixed procedures (Protap).

"So, if asked, how do I start working live. Yes, I explore where I can release what is in my brain and I can do it. I can participate and also perform," she said.

After college, Eka got a letter from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, placed at the Jayapura Health Office, Irian Jaya, in 1991. She worked in the government sector for only a year to complete the Pharmacist Service Period (Mandatory Bachelor Work). Then, she went to Jakarta and restarted her career by working in several factories. From PT Triyasa Nagamas Farma, PT Sparindo Mustika, to PT Guardian Pharmatama.

At one point, Eka felt that she had to change from 'I am a specialist' to 'I want to be a generalist'. As a generalist, one can go beyond a technical person, she emphasized.

"I started, among other things, by continuing my Master of Management education in Information Systems and Commerce, exploring finding, introducing, and selling 'pharmaceutical grade' pharmaceutical raw materials as a solution to improve the quality and consistency of drug production. In the 2000s, this was not yet a necessity, and then introducing technology and products related to health and wellbeing," she explains. 

That made Eka move to the commercial (business) sector by prioritizing business concepts that provide innovation and solutions—not just being a follower and trader. Finally, in 2003 PT Megasetia Agung Kimia became Eka's choice to explore and exist.

In line with time, Eka convinced all stakeholders at PT Megasetia Agung Kimia to make her company prioritize partnering beyond consultants, supply chain solutions, product development and marketing while upholding high business ethics, compliance and promoting wellbeing.

Career Journey 

Eka started her career at PT Megasetia Agung Kimia as Business Development Manager in 2003-2006. She continued as Head of the Pharmaceutical Division from 2006-2013. Then, she became Director of Sales and Marketing in 2013-2018. Continued as Director of Operations in 2018 until now.

Eka's biggest achievement as Operations Director is bringing the company to the highest standard. Together with her team, she succeeded in bringing PT Megasetia Agung Kimia to be the first distribution company in Indonesia to obtain the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certificate from the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGCE) among 40,000 importing companies in Indonesia. This includes obtaining the CDOB (Good Drug Distribution Method) certificate.

In 2018, Eka was also a commissioner of PT Gemma Natura Lestari, a PT Megasetia Agung Kimia subsidiary in cosmetics and personal care. Including in 2020, the President Director of PT Sarana Sehat Indonesia, her company in the field of medical device production.

Eka admits there must be a failure phase. Despite the failures, Eka's spirit never dropped and died. "My biggest happiness is when I succeed in delegating, empowering and creating new leaders".

Also, Eka advised not to stop learning and not to limit the things you learn. "First, believe that what we learn is something useful. Second, use what we have learned as well as possible when we work and in our daily lives," she said. 

 Source : The Footprints of Airlanggas's Knights Edition V