‘A day in the life’ at Elomatic
Pia Ahvenjärvi, Business Development Manager in Pharma
With over 20 years of experience as a project manager in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, I recently embraced a new and exciting challenge as Business Development Manager at Elomatic. Now, I play a key role in the company’s Pharma unit, acting as a crucial link between Elomatic and our subsidiary, Naya Life Sciences.
I feel that I have seamlessly adapted to my new role and as a member of our team. Interestingly, this wasn’t the position I initially applied for. During my interview for another role, the recruiter quickly realized that my skills and experience aligned perfectly with the newly created position of Business Development Manager. When they offered me the role, I was both surprised and thrilled. I immediately saw it as an opportunity to apply everything I had learned as a project manager in a broader, more strategic capacity.
My first week at Elomatic was intense. Within days of starting, I was already on my way to North Macedonia to meet key personnel at Naya Life Sciences. This fast-paced introduction helped me quickly grasp the organization’s needs and challenges—something I deeply appreciated and saw as a reflection of Elomatic’s dynamic and forward-thinking culture.
Currently, my primary responsibility is strengthening collaboration between Elomatic and Naya Life Sciences, which operates in North Macedonia and Slovenia. My focus is on improving communication and workflows between the two companies, which is crucial in a rapidly growing organization. Naya Life Sciences specializes in designing cleanrooms, an essential component of Elomatic’s comprehensive solutions for the pharmaceutical industry.
A significant part of my work involves ensuring compliance with strict regulatory requirements in various countries—a task that can be quite challenging. In Finland, for example, the requirements for workers from other countries to be allowed to work here are particularly stringent. Navigating these processes demands both precision and dedication.
One of the biggest challenges I face is securing the time and attention of colleagues who already have packed schedules. I quickly realized that a change in working methods was necessary. Instead of organizing large workshops, a small group now prepares proposals in advance. We refine them collaboratively before presenting them to the larger group. This approach has not only improved efficiency but also freed up time for more strategic discussions.
What truly stands out at Elomatic is its open and inclusive culture. There is a strong commitment from both employees and management to continuously improve products, processes, and the work environment. Even though I am the only representative of the Pharma unit at the Tampere office, I never feel isolated. My colleagues are always ready to discuss and share ideas at the lunch table, whether on technical matters or more philosophical topics. This sense of community is truly unique and one of the things that makes Elomatic a fantastic workplace.
My career path has been anything but linear. I began my university studies in administration with a focus on environmental issues. It was my professor who introduced me to a completely different field. After writing a thesis on compostable biodegradable biopolymer, my professor suggested I should consider medical technology—something I had never even thought about. Looking back, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Even though my original passion was environmental issues, I now see a clear connection between my background and my role at Elomatic. The company’s vision of improving both human and environmental wellbeing strongly resonates with my values. This holistic perspective is something I truly appreciate in my work as Business Development Manager, where I can leverage my experience to solve complex problems and create long-term value.
Outside of work, I lead an active lifestyle and enjoy sports and outdoor activities. Recently, I started learning freestyle swimming to participate in swim run competitions—a combination of running and swimming between islands. I also enjoy spending time with my three children and friends, who often convince me to join them for orienteering and running adventures.
Want to know more? Check out these related articles:
We succeed together
With us, you have the opportunity to work on challenging and rewarding projects in an interesting and international design environment.
We design working solutions that increase the wellbeing of people and the environment. We want to help our customers succeed by producing services throughout the life cycle of their technical products and investments.
Pharma
We offer strong expertise in pharmaceutical and medical device production suites.
We help you in designing, constructing, and qualifying new facilities and production lines. Our services encompass all investment phases, from creating a concept to delivering the final report.