“It will be an exciting autumn at Sunpine”

After a year as purchasing manager, Mikael Lagerbom is now stepping into the role of marketing manager at Sunpine. Here he talks about his view on leadership – and the opportunities that open up as the business grows.

Congratulations on your new role! How does it feel to become Marketing Manager at Sunpine?
– Thank you! It feels both fun and challenging to be part of driving the company's development forward. I have had a similar role before in the sawmill industry, so I feel ready for the future.

You started at Sunpine just under a year ago, as purchasing manager. How has your first year been?
– It has been intense, educational and very rewarding. Sunpine is an exciting place to work – not least because our entire operation, including the head office, is concentrated here on Haraholmen. This means that you have a close relationship with the entire organization and can follow the work on site, every day – and it creates a strong sense of commitment and community.

What will you focus on as marketing manager?
– Now that Sunpine is growing, a lot is about broadening our customer and supplier base, both nationally and internationally. We have come a long way with relatively small resources – now it is time to take the next step. This means that we will sharpen our business further, develop our working methods and deepen our collaborations.

What kind of boss do you want to be?
– I believe in an open climate where you dare to raise even what is not working – perhaps especially that. I want to contribute to a culture where we solve challenges together when they arise. Transparency, dialogue and shared responsibility are important keywords for me.

During the fall, you will strengthen your team with new skills in purchasing, sales and supply chain. Who are you looking for in these roles?
– Yes, it will really be an exciting autumn. I am looking for people who appreciate combining business and travel with close collaboration and having fun at work. It is important that you enjoy a relationship-building role, have an analytical mindset and feel comfortable with both Swedish and English. Then it doesn't matter if you are happy and cheerful too!

You mentioned that there may be some travel involved in the job. What can new employees expect there?
– Of course, it varies depending on the role, but we operate in a dynamic, exciting and international market. Travel is a natural part of our mission, and for me it contributes a lot of energy and inspiration. I think we have a very good balance in our travel, but if you imagine that you will start here and never leave Piteå, then this is probably not the right role for you.

In conclusion: What would you like to say to colleagues – or others – who are curious about new roles within Sunpine?
– We are a growing organization, and that means great opportunities to develop internally. If you see a role that piques your curiosity – dare to apply. I did, and it led me here.