From international manufacturing and operational roles to Valmet Automotive, throughout Jarkko’s career, quality and a customer-focused mindset have remained central, despite changes in roles and working environments. In his current role as Senior Quality Manager, Jarkko is responsible for quality across the entire in-house vehicle manufacturing process, drawing on his broad experience.
A NEW BEGINNING IN FINLAND
Three years ago, Jarkko returned to Finland after spending two decades working abroad. As he explored new career opportunities, the Assembly Quality Manager position at Valmet Automotive caught his interest. He was selected for the role and took the leap into a new working environment.
“I joined Valmet Automotive from the fields of innovation and product design, so contract manufacturing was new to me. My varied experience has been a great asset in learning new things and finding solutions to different challenges.”
Jarkko worked as Assembly Quality Manager for a few years before moving into his current role as Senior Quality Manager. He is now responsible for quality across the entire in-house vehicle manufacturing process and works closely with day-to-day production operations.
CUSTOMER FOCUS AT THE CORE
Jarkko holds a degree in mechanical and materials engineering. His career took off quickly, and during his years abroad, he gained experience in a wide range of roles. Alongside quality management, he has worked in product development, human resources, procurement, supplier management, and leadership. He has also collaborated with well-known international brands throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial design to the end.
His diverse background has also proved valuable in his current role. Improving quality requires not only technical expertise but also the ability to see the bigger picture and understand customer needs.
“Customer focus has been central throughout my career. Even when the working environment or my role changes, understanding customer needs and the drive to find solutions remain the same.”
Working with new technologies and product development has given Jarkko a broad perspective on how customer needs can create new business opportunities. He sees Valmet Automotive’s strength in its ability to apply its diverse expertise and manufacturing capabilities to different customer needs and across multiple industries.
QUALITY IS BUILT THROUGH COLLABORATION AND PROBLEM-SOLVING
Jarkko’s working day often starts with a review of the previous day’s developments and the plans ahead. Throughout the day, he analyses quality, solves problems, and works with teams across different functions. His role also involves leading day-to-day operations.
Tight schedules and unexpected situations require analytical thinking, strong collaboration skills and the ability to respond quickly. Jarkko is particularly motivated by the variety of his work and the opportunity to find solutions that make a tangible difference.
“I’ve always been fascinated by new challenges. The most rewarding part of my work is finding solutions to problems together, helping customers achieve their goals and seeing the tangible impact of what we do.”
THERE IS ROOM FOR DIVERSE EXPERIENCE
At Valmet Automotive, Jarkko sees a wide range of opportunities for professionals with different backgrounds. In a large organization, people can develop their skills, gain experience in diverse roles and discover new career paths within the company. In his view, the strength of a workplace lies in bringing together different experiences and perspectives.
“Our workplace is a good combination of decades of experience and fresh perspectives. New ideas are valued just as much as the expertise people have built up over the years.”
Jarkko’s career path shows how experience gained across different roles, industries and cultures can help bring people together, strengthen collaboration and build a deeper understanding of customer needs when entering new markets.