Annika, could you tell us a little bit about the scope of your work?
At Avesta Melt Shop, I am the process group leader and what we do is refine the melted scrap to the composition it should have. We blow in oxygen to get rid of carbon and alternatively we blow in argon or nitrogen gas to obtain the right amount of nitrogen, depending on what kind of steel we want. We also remove sulphur towards the end of the process, by using lime. When the steel leaves the refinery, it basically has the composition it has when we sell it.

What was your motivation for applying?
After finishing my Master of Engineering in Material Technology at KTH, the Royal University of Technology in Sweden, I started working as a process developer at the steelworks in Avesta. I really liked the job, but after two years I wanted to get closer to production and to be in more contact with the rest of the staff. I then got the job as process group leader at the polishing department at the steelworks. And, in a reorganisation about six months later, I became the process group leader at the refinery, which is closer to my competence field. At the refinery, we are currently 34 staff members, and 30 of these work on a five-shift schedule.

Could you tell us something about your responsibilities?
As the process group leader, I am involved in most things concerning production; planning of operations, process control, work environment issues, budgeting, staff issues, maintenance issues, and so on. I report to the head of production at the steelworks, Tommy Acimovic. My primary work tasks are to produce as much as possible and to maintain a high quality level. I am also responsible for making sure that my staff is ok. Apart from my own staff, I am in frequent contact with maintenance, purchasing department, process development department, R&D, as well as managers, staff and production assistants in related production units. To succeed you have to be committed and at the same time prioritize and delegate.

What are your formal and personal qualifications for this job?
I graduated from KTH, the Royal University of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, with a Master of Engineering in Material Technology. Since then I have taken some internal leadership courses, such as work environment, labor legislation and staff. A key task in my job is to gather and use the experience and knowledge that is present in the best way possible.

Are there any special possibilities and advantages with your job?
I have not worked for any of the competitors, but I like the future that is present at Outokumpu. I also like the company climate here. It is great that there are so many improvements to make; we are doing great, but there is always room for improvement.

And, finally, what would you tell a possible future colleague about Outokumpu and this job?
At Outokumpu, you have all the opportunities in the world.