Kirsi Kautonen appointed as HR Director at Norelco

Kirsi Kautonen was appointed as the Human Resources Director at Norelco at the beginning of March 2024. She was interviewed on her first day regarding her goals and responsibilities in HR management. 

Kirsi Kautonen got to know Norelco and people who work there during her previous position as the Director of Technology and Forest at Vocational College Samiedu. When the HR Director position became available at Norelco, it was quite easy for Kirsi to decide to enter the application process, as she considered Norelco's rapidly evolving field to be highly interesting for the future.

"People management and leadership development are critical success factors for companies. In this role at Norelco, I can contribute to building a better future for us," Kirsi says.

Responsible human resource management

Kirsi Kautonen has an impressive career as a leader and manager in industrial companies. Therefore she talks fluently about sustainable HR, strategic human resource management, and employer branding. 

However, she wants to discuss these terms in everyday manner: the goal is to maintain and develop, together with Norelco's personnel, an inclusive and diverse work environment where everyone can thrive. A functional work community also plays a significant role in the success of recruiting new personnel.

Kirsi also highlights skills development as well as the opportunities and challenges that new technologies create:

"We need new skilled professionals who bring new expertise. Equally important is to recognize the current personnel’s skills; at Norelco, we have over 200 electrical experts! Our task is to ensure that we provide them with opportunities to develop their skills to keep up with the latest technological advancements. A good example of this is the work done at Norelco to develop electrification for the green transition."

Meaningfulness and sense of community are central themes, leaders play an important role

"I always emphasize that everyone does meaningful work in their own role. That's why I'm interested in how we can help people succeed and thrive," Kirsi says. 

She continues a little further: "Everyone should experience that their work is meaningful for the overall picture. In addition, we need a sense of belonging and knowledge of the common direction. Supervisors play a significant role in this, and I'm pleased to hear that these topics are on the agenda in the supervisor training that began at Norelco last autumn."

Eager to learn new things - in a relaxed manner

In her free time, Kirsi enjoys various outdoor activities with her family and a camera, and now an eight-month-old beagle accompanies her, too. Work and leisure seem to blend seamlessly into Kirsi's everyday life, and Savonlinna offers excellent opportunities for that.

"As a curious person, I often seek out new things. Last autumn, I became the leader of the HENRY ry Southeast Finland regional network. There, I get to know new colleagues and certainly gain fresh insights into the needs and good solutions for developing the working life from them and from companies in our region."

You may contact Kirsi Kautonen by mobile or email: tel. +358 40 713 1033 or kirsi.kautonen@norelco.fi