Production manager, packaging industry

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I am a production manager in a company that manufactures corrugated board and cardboard for the needs of business customers. Most of the products we manufacture are different packages.

I work as a supervisor for team leaders who lead people working in production and warehouses. I participate in various projects related to, for example, occupational safety and machines used in production. In addition, I am responsible for maintaining quality and environmental systems, i.e. I participate in related audits and keep the necessary documents up to date. The work also involves handling complaints and ensuring the resourcing of production.

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

I have never had a dream profession or a clear direction for my career. I was not particularly interested in studying at school, and I ended up studying as a paper process operator mostly because the salary was good. During my studies, I completed my last work placement in this company, and I have worked here almost all the time since I graduated.

Describe your typical working day or week.

When I come to work in the morning, I open the computer and acknowledge the team leaders’ hours in our ERP system. Then I check for emails or Teams messages that I need to react to as soon as possible.  Usually it takes a while to respond to messages, after which I review the status of orders and deliveries. My job is to make sure they are ready on time.

The rest of the day passes through meetings and inspection of production work stages. When the work has progressed to a certain production stage, I receive a notification, which I must acknowledge. For example, before signing, I must ensure that the images of the end product and the sales pricing correspond to what has been agreed.

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

I work at the factory and work remotely rarely. I usually come to work at eight hours at the latest, and my working day lasts approximately eight hours.

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

The most important thing is to remain calm, even if you are busy or face other challenges. The production manager must be able to concentrate and be precise even if the schedules cause pressure. Responsibility must also be taken in the work. Working as a supervisor requires honesty and readiness to act as a role model for others.

What is the best thing about your profession?

My working days vary and I can participate in very different projects. I also like the fact that there is constantly something new to learn and I get more responsibility.

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

In the role of a supervisor, you must carefully consider how you behave and what you say. You cannot always get along with everyone, which creates your own challenges for acting as a supervisor. Sometimes the ability to withstand pressure is being tested, but sports hobbies provide a good counterbalance to work.

What would you tell a person considering the profession of a production manager?

Our company employs people from different educational backgrounds, as no education prepares for these tasks directly. Studies in the process industry are useful, but the attitude is the most important. The employee must be prepared to learn new things and be open to new challenges. A good attitude can open up new opportunities.

How do you see the future of your profession?

The packaging industry will have many opportunities in the future. EU-level regulation adds to the requirements, but at the same time it guides us towards more environmentally friendly solutions when plastic is replaced with fibre-based materials.

For example, transporting corrugated board far away is not economically viable, which strengthens the position of Finnish production. Thus, international competitors do not pose a major threat to Finnish companies. I believe that the demand for our products will increase in the future.