Senior Expert of Value Chain Management

Iryna, based in Kolomyia, Ukraine, works in VCM Customer Demand Management at LEONI, started at logistics at LEONI in 2003.

My story at LEONI

My name is Iryna, and I work in the VCM Customer Demand Management Strategy Department, reporting to my manager in Kitzingen while physically located in Kolomyia, Ukraine. I studied Economics at the National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, and LEONI is my first job, which I started in 2003. At that time, I worked as an Export Specialist in the Planning Department at the first LEONI plant in Ukraine, in Stryi, until 2007.

When people ask me how long I've been with LEONI, I always reply with a question - the first or the second time? In my first stint, lasting around 4 years, I handled shipment preparation, communicated with freight forwarders and customers, and issued export documents for finished goods within Europe.

When I returned in 2014, I challenged myself with a leadership position in the same department as a Team Leader. Here, I interacted more with Business Units (now Accounts), Customers, and Production Leaders, striving to balance customer expectations with production capacities. During this time, I was involved in several successful project launches, even for new customers, in Ukraine.

People say that every 4-5 years a person should change their work area. In my case, this saying perfectly matched as in 2018, I moved to a new plant location in Ukraine – Kolomyia. This move was accompanied by a change of position – I became the Head of VCM Plant Kolomyia, with expanded responsibilities and focus areas. Later, within the new organizational structure, I assumed the position of Head of Country CDP and also acted as Deputy of Country VCM here in Kolomyia.

My next career step unfolded within Central VCM: in 2022, I joined the VCM Escalation Management team. Upon hearing about the launch of the VCM CDM Strategy department, I realized it was the path I wanted to pursue. With my diverse experience, both within and outside of LEONI but always within VCM, I'm confident that I'm now in the right place to support the company's development.

This is my job

As the department I currently work in is newly created, I'm still in the process of understanding the exact tasks and expectations. However, I'm confident that my contribution to defining the demand management strategy will be valuable, given my diverse experience within and outside LEONI. Understanding different aspects of the value chain process is crucial, especially in today's fast-changing world. Our company must maintain a leading position in the industry. Currently, I'm involved in a project with representatives from across the LEONI world aimed at shifting our daily business in the value chain from reactive fire-fighting to a more proactive and preventive mode.

On the other hand, I also serve as the Data Domain Manager Operations for Value Chain. Standardizing data flows, maintenance rules, and data quality is crucial for success in a fast-digitalized world. I'm proud to be part of this community supporting the organization in improving master data accuracy, including involvement in FLOW. My task here is to create documentation that describes master data for end-users, facilitating their understanding of connections between data and business processes within the value chain domain.

My highlight

When the new plant in Kolomyia, Ukraine, began operations, I relocated there to lead the entire Value Chain Department. It was a significant challenge, considering my limited leadership experience at the time, previously overseeing a Planning Department with fewer than 20 people but similar responsibilities. I had to quickly immerse myself in Procurement, Export-Import Operations, and Warehousing. What was truly remarkable was the support from my team and management. Ultimately, we rallied together, ensuring the plant ran smoothly and customers received their orders. Despite initial uncertainties, I believe the launch of the Kolomyia plant was highly successful, and I'm proud to have been a part of that success, alongside my team.

My view of LEONI as an employer

When I first joined LEONI, I had little knowledge about logistics. However, I quickly realized the company offered ample opportunities for training and personal growth. It's crucial that such a large company invests in the development of its employees at all levels. All you need is a desire to learn. As a result, I progressed from a department specialist to VCM Plant Manager, and eventually, I was promoted to the Central VCM Team.

Many of us spend the majority of our waking hours at work, where our coworkers become like friends and even family. You can find a friend across the globe who shares your values and views on various topics, not just work-related ones. In most cases, when I need support, I receive it readily—it's a natural part of our dynamic. Especially during tough situations throughout the workday, asking for help ensures a response.

LEONI in three words? Multicultural, customer-oriented, looking-into-future.

My tips

Indeed, it's a blend of qualities. With nearly 100,000 individuals, each with their unique personalities, we must function as a cohesive unit. It's the only path forward for LEONI's continued growth and prosperity.

Ready to make an Impact?

Become part of our team now!

Find jobs