Logistics Manager

– What are the most important aspects of your job?

– “It varies, but includes a lot of dialogue with our headquarters in China, so we can optimise our local operations. As of now, my main responsibility is logistics in Norway, but things must also be coordinated with the central facilities in the EU, as well as planning the future production of cars for the local market. In addition, I am in daily dialogue with the different dealerships in the country, where I support the them regarding various ad-hoc cases. This can include anything from system training, transport orders, follow-up of targets, strategic planning, etc. Of course, in my position, it is important to maintain good collaboration with all our external partners so that daily operations run as smoothly as possible for all parties involved.

Being primarily responsible for logistics in the country means that I have previously held other key roles in the company. Therefore, I have a good overview of how the different departments operate. As a result, I quickly end up getting involved in tasks other than those I am responsible for.”

– What do you like best about your job?

– “First and foremost, I am very pleased I can use my education in my job, where daily communication takes place in Chinese or Norwegian. After almost two years with the company, I have worked in several key positions, and therefore gained a lot of different knowledge in everything from training, marketing, sales, supply chains, and planning etc.

Seeing as I have had so many varied tasks, I have never known my workdays to be monotonous. In addition, my immediate manager has given me a lot of space and freedom. This has made me more independent so that I am easily able to solve any operational challenges that may arise.

– In what ways are the studies offered by the Faculty of Humanities relevant to your job?

– “The company has over 16,000 employees in total, with over 95% of them in China. Being able to speak Chinese makes my everyday life easier, and not only in terms of communication, but also understanding how and why the different decisions are made.
These language skills also make it easier to resolve local challenges, where support from colleagues in China is needed.”

– What is the best advice you can give new students who are thinking about job opportunities after completing their studies?

– “If you want to use your studies in connection with work, you may want to think a little ‘outside the box’. It is not always easy to get your foot in the door without already possessing the skills that are being sought after.
How do you gain this experience? I recommend looking for companies where you see that your skills can potentially add some kind of value to the company.
Although the position you are applying for may not be within the industry or the exact position you are dreaming of right now, it will be a good opportunity to start a career that leads to the accrual of important work experience and expertise.
My background mainly involves China, culture, business, politics, language, economy and administration. With this expertise, I have previously applied to companies that either have their own operations in China, or operate with the Chinese market in mind. In addition, I have considered positions in the public sector such as embassy or consulate jobs, the education sector, and cultural exchange etc.

Be creative, always remember to follow up on submitted applications, and create an account on LinkedIn as soon as possible.

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