Erja – from hands-on experience to quality leadership

Erja works as a Quality Manager at Alsiva. Her career is a great example of how curiosity and the bravery to take on new challenges can move you forward.
 
According to Erja herself, her journey at Alsiva began almost by accident. Her earlier career as a surveyor came to an end when her fixed-term contract expired. During a six-month period of unemployment, she joined an employment training programme that included a work placement. A fellow participant suggested that Alsiva might have opportunities, and that idea led Erja to a traineeship in autumn 2007. After just a couple of months, she was offered a position in the finishing team. She spent around three years in that role before being asked to step into a team leader position.
 
After gaining experience in finishing and leadership, Erja moved to the logistics department. At the same time, she completed a business degree. Her newly found commercial skills quickly proved valuable as she also supported sales and purchasing during summer periods.
 
In 2018, Alsiva acquired the business of KM Valu. The increased product range opened a new role in production planning, and Erja was selected for the position. She recalls one Saturday after the acquisition with a smile, when the entire office staff, including the plant management, worked together at the foundry to complete inventory work. A few years later, she was ready for a new step and moved into the role of Production Manager. Erja highlights that Alsiva has consistently offered new challenges to those who are willing to take them on.
 
New challenges continue to shape her daily work today. Alsiva’s long-standing Quality Manager, Ismo, is approaching retirement, and Erja has stepped into the role, taking responsibility for quality matters. What motivates her in this new position is the opportunity to look at the work from a completely different perspective. The role allows her to focus more deeply on key areas such as occupational health and safety, product quality and company-level quality standards. These topics have been present throughout her career, but now she can explore them in much greater detail.
 
Erja is strongly motivated by the opportunities that come with Group level collaboration. As she puts it: “We can always learn from each other, and I want to work closely with our colleagues across the Group.”
 
Her background gives her a unique perspective on the Quality Manager role. A strong foundation in practical production work shapes how she approaches quality responsibilities. Her understanding of product quality is built on hands-on experience across the production chain.
 
Erja sees Alsiva’s strength in quality as its solid foundation. It provides a strong base for further development. As the largest foundry in Finland, Alsiva has developed deep expertise through experience, testing and continuous learning over the years.
 
Ouneva Group’s shared values are visible in Erja’s daily work. She has always aimed to bravely move forwards in her own career, and working together has become even more central through the Group’s strategy work. Our ability to make quick decisions is reflected as courage, something she strongly identifies with.

More information about Alsiva here.

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