Young Talents in Maintenance – From Purchaser to Project Procurement Manager

Aukusti worked at FleetCare as a purchaser for two summers, and after summer 2024, he started a new role as a project procurement manager. Before moving on to new challenges, Aukusti shared his experience as a purchaser.

Aukusti graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2019 and began his master’s studies in the Supply Management programme at LUT University in the fall of 2022. He graduated with an MBA in the summer of 2024 and came to work at FleetCare for the second summer.

A purchaser’s job includes the procurement process from start to finish. The process began with the maintenance department’s need to order a product. Aukusti identified these needs, monitored the consumption of various products, and examined forecasts for future requirements. He gathered product information and prices from suppliers and placed orders. The products were received and delivered to maintenance, where they were put to use. After that Aukusti handled invoice processing and any other follow-up tasks related to the delivery.

FleetCare has a fairly large purchasing and procurement team with a lot of expertise. Purchases are usually made by category, with certain people responsible for procuring specific parts. Aukusti thinks this is smart because it gives buyers a better understanding of the products they are responsible for ordering. Maintaining and developing relationships with suppliers is also easier and more pleasant when dealing with the same contacts continuously. Aukusti mentioned that good collaboration skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously are beneficial in a purchaser’s job.

Through the summer, Aukusti covered for several people during their summer holidays, which allowed him to procure a variety of items. He was involved in ordering materials, parts, and refurbishment work for train bodies, interiors, and various electronic components.

The work of purchasers is quite prominent to train passengers, as everything found in the train, visible and noticeable, is part of the whole that buyers procure for the trains.>

When Aukusti first came to FleetCare, he already had work experience in procurement, but the railway industry was new to him. He says that the working environment has been interesting, and the job has felt meaningful: “This work is customer-oriented. We work for people, making their lives, daily activities, and commuting easier, so I feel that this has a clear significance.”

After the summer, new and interesting opportunities awaited Aukusti. He continued working at FleetCare but transitioned from a purchaser to a project procurement manager. His previous work experience in procurement has provided him with a solid foundation for the new position, and he has gained knowledge and insights from his studies. The summer work experience as a purchaser at FleetCare has also given him an understanding of the industry and honed the skills he will need in his new role.