Production planner
"This profession requires good stress tolerance and self-initiative. The ability to prioritise tasks and to perceive large entities facilitates the work significantly."
- Kati Kuivakoski
- Production planner at Teknikum Oy.
- Completed the Vocational Qualification in Agriculture at the Harju Vocational College and the Vocational Qualification in Pharmaceutics at the Helsinki School of Social and Health Care.
- Six years of work experience in the field.
Briefly explain what you do for a living.
I work as a production planner in a rubber industry factory. The factory manufactures a wide range of rubber products, such as components needed in the automotive and mining industries. It is my job to ensure that the order and supply chain works properly.
How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?
I was an entrepreneur in the equine sector for almost 10 years. However, I needed a change in my life, so I applied for work at Teknikum in January 2019. I started as a production employee and later became a shift manager. After this, I moved on to my current position as a production planner.
Describe your typical working day or week.
My typical working day includes a lot of computer work. During the day, I check new orders and schedule different production stages. I also find out what materials are needed and take care of other practical matters related to production.
What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?
I usually work on weekdays between 8 am and 4 pm. I work at the factory 2–3 days a week, otherwise I work remotely.
What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?
This profession requires good stress tolerance and self-initiative. The ability to prioritise tasks and to perceive large entities facilitates the work significantly.
What is the best thing about your profession?
The best part of my job is freedom. I can influence my working hours and independently plan the schedules of my working day.
What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?
Production planning is the sum of many things, and everything does not always go according to plan. For example, timetables can change for reasons that are out of my control, and sometimes it is frustrating.
What would you tell a person considering the profession of a production planner?
If you want to work as a production planner in industry, you must be able to work independently and make decisions.
How do you see the future of your profession?
The future of the rubber industry looks good. As long as there are new orders, there will also be plenty of work for production planners.