Agnieszka Justynska

A Company full of possibilities

I began my journey with Kalmar in 2009, during a time when the company was expanding its greenfield activities in Poland. As a young student with limited corporate experience, I initially started as a management assistant. After three months, I transitioned to the sourcing department, where I progressed through various roles including assistant, junior sourcing specialist, specialist, category manager, and eventually, global category manager. After almost 15 years, I am now leading the horizontal transportation sourcing team following recent organisational changes.

Joining the company while still studying, Kalmar became my first "official" job. Over the years, I’ve had the fortune of working with highly skilled managers and mentors. As for my educational background, I'm a master of logistics and last year I accomplished Executive MBA studies.

My role has evolved significantly since I started. I have had numerous opportunities to learn and grow, thanks to great leaders and their support. I’ve gained expertise in various sourcing categories, project management, and category strategies. Currently, I am focusing on growing as a leader and applying my procurement experiences to my current role.

Key Milestones and Memorable Project

During my time, I have experienced significant personal and professional growth. From starting in junior positions, I have advanced to leading a team of 11 exceptional individuals. Alongside my career progression, I became a mother of three and completed my MBA studies.

One memorable project involved a challenging supplier production transfer that had a significant impact on Kalmar. Despite the risks, we successfully managed to minimise the impact on our customers. Additionally, I have been involved in projects aimed at improving cost competitiveness and advancing our electrification journey by managing the electrification category globally.

Company Culture and Kalmar's Core Behaviours

Kalmar’s culture has been instrumental in my development. Supportive leaders have helped me balance my career growth with personal responsibilities, especially as a mother of three. The company’s flexibility has been crucial in this regard. Yet, the inspiring organisational culture and great mentors are fostering continuous development and evolvement.

What I value most about Kalmar is our people and culture. We emphasise care, trust, and open communication, even amidst differing opinions. The work environment is collaborative and supportive, creating a sense of community. Kalmar’s core behaviours, such as mutual respect, experimental problem-solving, and extreme ownership, are evident in our daily operations. We maintain a strong focus on the customer in everything we do.

Tips for New talents 

For those starting out at Kalmar, my advice is to think outside the box and be open to different perspectives. Embrace flexibility and be willing to adapt your views as you grow within the company.