“The best thing about my job is helping people so that we all can grow as a team.”
With supportive colleagues and hard work Pernilla Öhlén has progressed from axle production logistics to become superuser for the SIMAS material logistics system on behalf of axle and gearbox. “The best thing about my job is helping people and teaching them so that we all can grow as a team,” she says.
The main thing you take from a conversation with Pernilla is her dedication to helping colleagues, something she says has always been with her in 13 years at Scania.
“The best thing about my job is helping people and teaching them so that we all can grow as a team. Even when I was a team leader or working on projects to rebuild the logistics areas to improve the production, I always wanted things to be better for the team. I always have the team members in mind for them to have a better work environment,” she says.
Pernilla has the rather cool job title of SIMAS superuser. It’s the Scania International Material Administration System, the software governing the planning of all the parts and material flowing in and out of the company.
“With the position I have now, I combine implementing new features into the SIMAS system
with supporting the whole logistics set-up for my building and our logistics centre,” Pernilla explains. “If my colleagues have a problem, they call me and I help them solve it, but I also teach them how to solve it themselves.”
Pernilla was just 22 when she came to Scania. At that time there weren’t many women in her building, particularly in her age group. It was hard at first and she says she had to be tough to deal with the challenges, though she adds that several colleagues were a great support to her during her development. However, in recent years she has noticed a lot of positive changes.
“We’ve come a long way. The leadership is very attentive and supportive and I’ve had good coaching in logistics and production from my managers. In time I learned to believe in myself; that I was doing a good job.”
“You need that feedback,” she adds. “I’ve been coached so that I can still have my values and still be me.
“It was because of my hard work and dedication that my managers wanted me to develop. If I hadn’t had that coaching, feedback and supportive leadership I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
As well as the coaching, Pernilla values the work-life balance at Scania.
“I’m a full-time single mum to a six-year-old boy so it’s very important that I have the flexibility to work from home. And to have my own time is important for me too,” she says.
Logistics is the thread that has been running through Pernilla’s career so far, and she sees herself working at Scania for years to come.
“I’ve always been someone who’s worked really hard and I want to keep continuing my development journey,” she says. “I’m proud of what I’ve achieved but I always want to go further.”
