Sara Forsberg takes Scania R&D into the future
23 SEPTEMBER 2424
Our CTO and Head of R&D, Sara Forsberg, credits her success to the teams she has worked with throughout her career. “It’s a true team effort that brought me here, and I’m grateful to belong to a company with so many supportive and intelligent people.”
Her task is to secure Scania's market position, shape Scania's Brand Identity Development (BID), and ensure that TRATON Group takes necessary performance steps to keep our premium status.
Early ambitions and career path
“Vehicles. That was what I wanted to work with.” When Forsberg finished her Master of Science in Ergonomic Design and Production, she knew where she wanted to go: to a company with a steady and innovative tech-development attitude, with a product you can actually see. The year was 2001, and she found her calling at Cab Development. But her path wasn’t clear from the start. In fact, she has more or less gone with the flow, learning from others in her teams: “I’ve always enjoyed the job I had at the time because I’ve had so much fun wherever I’ve been. That sometimes makes it hard to move on. But when a position that will fit me shows up, I’ll give it a go. In the end, you grow into the task at hand.”
Rising to new challenges
Some might find the demands for her current role as Head of Scania R&D, where she is also responsible for building a Brand Identity Development organisation from scratch, challenging. But not for Forsberg. She turns almost everything into something positive. “This time, I’m the first to create the foundation of something new, and it is super exciting to shape an organisation with Scania’s needs in mind, as well as the common tech development in the TRATON Group.”
Influenced by a great leader
Forsberg’s best work experience was at our production unit in Oskarshamn. It was in the position of Q-team leader that her leadership journey began. “It was an intense six months and one of the most fun I’ve had. It shaped me professionally in ways I’m grateful for.” Commuting 300 km every week probably didn’t make it to her top list of great experiences, but the job itself made up for it. “I understood what happens in the whole chain once we develop something new, but also the impact if something goes wrong.”
One of her first managers strongly influenced her view on leadership: “He was genuinely interested in what you had to say and also extremely knowledgeable. You could sense the warmth in the group.” That might be why she wants her team to share their different opinions, even if they don’t necessarily agree. “You should be able to speak from your heart without being judged. Ask for advice and celebrate success. That’s the kind of environment I strive for.”
Balancing work and play
Forsberg thrives in a dynamic environment at work and in her personal life. “I like to run, take walks with our dog, and bike, and I’m a team cycling class instructor which gives me so much energy.” As a mother of two, she also spends much time with her family, hanging out in their small cottage on a remote island in Sörmland: “As much as they will allow me, being a teen and a pre-teen.” To unwind, Forsberg turns to Netflix, cooking and the outdoors.
Maintaining work-life balance is something she thinks Scania is good at. But to remain a successful company, we must remain transparent and collaborative: “I want to stay away from the ‘top-down’-feeling of hierarchy. You need to know your responsibilities and dare to make decisions. Believe in yourself, even if that can sometimes be hard.”
