Values Ambassadors | Lukas Sukiasian: From Warehouse Loader to Shift Manager in Just a Year and a Half

At the time, Lukas regularly visited the bakery as a bread delivery driver for a logistics company.

Lukas, how did your journey at Vilniaus duona begin?

I first got to know Vilniaus duona as a delivery driver. While working for a logistics company, I used to come here to pick up bread for distribution. I really liked the shift pattern—three days on, three days off. I got to know the people here and started asking whether they were hiring. That's how I joined the company.

What was your first position?

I started as a warehouse loader in the dispatch department. About six months ago, I was promoted to Dispatch Shift Manager.

What does your role involve? What are you responsible for?

As a Dispatch Shift Manager, my job is to make sure the right products arrive on time and leave the bakery on time for our customers. I work closely with the loading team, dispatchers, production supervisors, and the order department. I monitor whether the ordered products arrive on schedule and whether we'll be able to deliver everything on time. Like everywhere else, equipment failures and unexpected issues happen, so we often have to find solutions quickly.

What did you know about Vilniaus duona before joining the company?

Not that much. I just knew people worked in shifts. At the time, I was working every day, so the idea of working a few days and then having several days off really appealed to me.

Didn't shift work seem challenging?

Not at all—I actually enjoy it. As a warehouse loader, I worked three days and then had three days off. Now, as a Shift Manager, I work four days and have four days off. Honestly, I can't imagine how people manage with only two days off a week!

I have enough time to rest and take care of everything I need to do outside of work.

You were recognised as one of Vilniaus duona's Values Ambassadors for your holistic approach. How did you react to the recognition?

I was genuinely surprised. I'd only been with the company for a year, so I wasn't expecting any recognition. But I really enjoyed working as a loader too. That job taught me responsibility and punctuality. Of course, I always knew I wanted to keep moving forward and continue growing.

What were your responsibilities as a warehouse loader, and what qualities does the job require?

My responsibility was making sure products were loaded and unloaded on time.

To be honest, you don't need much—just the willingness to learn. If you have that, you can develop, grow, and move into other roles. You can become a dispatcher or a Shift Manager. The company offers plenty of career opportunities.

You mentioned you're 28. How suitable is this job for young people?

I think it's a great place for young people. The company gives you lots of opportunities. No one says that if you start as a warehouse loader, that's where you'll stay. All you need is motivation and the desire to grow.

I originally thought I'd move into dispatching, but I was asked to temporarily cover for a Shift Manager. After that, they noticed what I could do and offered me the position permanently.

And how do you find being a manager? Is it challenging?

My leadership style is very collaborative. We discuss things together and look for solutions as a team. Some people in my team have worked here for ten years or more, so their experience and advice are incredibly valuable to me.

Tell us about your team. How many people do you manage?

Depending on the day, there are between six and fifteen people working in dispatch during a shift. My responsibility is making sure all retail chains receive the right orders on time. Of course, problems sometimes come up, and then we have to find solutions.

Do you also take part in hiring new team members?

Sometimes I help evaluate candidates. It doesn't take long to see who might be a good fit and who may struggle. I've noticed that people from smaller towns and rural areas often adapt particularly well to this kind of work. It requires physical strength and endurance, and they're usually more used to that kind of work.

So you get a workout as well?

Exactly! One woman on our team once joked, "I came here to lose weight!" There's definitely plenty of movement and lifting bread crates in this job.

What kind of people work in your team?

Very different people—both younger and older colleagues. It's roughly half women and half men. Younger employees tend to change jobs more often because many are looking for easier work. But we also have colleagues who've been here for more than ten years.

It's a good job for young people too, especially if they want to start somewhere and build a career. We actively encourage people to try different positions and give them opportunities to learn new skills.

How did your colleagues react to having a younger manager?

Very positively. They say younger people bring fresh energy. We get along well and don't really have conflicts. If problems or mistakes happen, we sit down together, talk them through and look for solutions. I'm a calm person, so I try to approach situations calmly as well.

Was this your first job in a bakery?

No. Before this, I worked at the post office and later as a bread delivery driver. I also completed nine months of mandatory military service, so there was a break in my career. In fact, I recently spent another month refreshing my military skills.

Just like at work, the first three months in the military are the hardest because you're learning the rules, expectations and routines. After that, everything becomes much easier.

How do your family and friends feel about your job?

They joke and ask, "So you're managing people now? Are you giving orders?" But they're genuinely happy for me. They say I've built a career.

The title "manager" might sound serious, but in reality, we do everything together—we discuss, cooperate and solve problems as one team.

I suppose there's never a shortage of bread at home?

Every day we can take home one loaf of bread and one loaf of white bread. Honestly, I don't even eat that much.

What's your favourite bread?

Probably Agota Dark Bread. It's perfect with soup. And the very best bread is the one straight from the oven—soft as a cloud.

How do you spend your days off?

This time I'll have four days off, so I'm heading to the seaside. I'll also visit my home village—there's always something I can help with there.

What would you say to people who are thinking about joining Vilniaus duona?

I'd really encourage young people to apply. We have a great team, and we'd love to have even more young colleagues. All you need is motivation, a willingness to learn, not being afraid of night shifts, and a genuine interest in what you do. If you have that, you can definitely keep moving forward—even if you start on the very first rung of the career ladder.