Putting customers first, every day — meet Kirsti, the steady center of SOP Finland.
From studying forestry to building a career in a global company, Kirsti Virtanen has taken a path that’s anything but linear — and all the more interesting for it. Today she leads the Sales Order Processing team for the Finnish market, bringing the same calm, ‘find-a-way-through-the-trees’ problem-solving mindset she built early on. And when Kirsti isn’t keeping complex orders moving or supporting colleagues across functions, you’ll likely find her travelling the world or unwinding at her summer house in South-West Finland — often with her dog and darling husband by her side.
You are Sales Support Team Leader for office in Finland, can you tell us what does your job title entail? Tell us more about what you do!
As a Sales Order Processing manager, my main duties are managing, developing, and harmonizing our team’s daily work and making sure everyone has what they need to succeed. In simple terms, SOP handles the full order‑to‑invoice flow: we insert sales orders into the system, manage purchases for the products sourced from external suppliers, coordinate the logistics to customers, and ensure everything is correctly invoiced. Once the salesperson closes the deal, we take care of the rest.
Our SOP team is all women, and one of our biggest strengths is the ability to run many projects in parallel — each in its own stage and with its own demands. That collective agility is what helps us adapt quickly and keep the customer journey moving from order to invoice. I’m also manager of our pre-sales team of four but not actively involved in their daily work as they have a dedicated team leader.
I also spend a lot of time fostering collaboration with pre-sales, finance, aftersales, and colleagues across different parts of the business so that information flows smoothly and customer needs are met quickly and accurately. Depending on the situation, I might find myself stepping into different roles — coordinating logistics, supporting colleagues, solving problems, or helping other teams — the role evolves constantly, and that’s part of what I enjoy about it.
What route did you take in terms of studies and jobs to where you are today?
A perhaps little‑known fact about me is that I have a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Helsinki. As a young woman, the original plan was for me to follow my father’s path as Managing Director of the wood‑import agency he had founded. I worked there for almost ten years, expecting that to be my future. But everything changed when the company was sold and I had to rethink my direction.
That turning point led me into the world of logistics — a completely different field, but one where I spent more than ten years with companies like Schenker and DSV. Eventually, I realized I wanted a role where I could guide others and improve workflows. That search for new challenges brought me to Electrolux Professional Group almost seven years ago, and it’s been the right place for me ever since.
What do you love about the role?
Every day is different — even when I plan my schedule carefully, I often end up working on something completely unexpected. What I enjoy most is the mix of people interaction, process management, and problem‑solving. As I mentioned earlier, the role is truly versatile, and that’s exactly why I like it: there’s no such thing as a dull day. Working cross‑functionally is especially rewarding, as it helps me build connections and understand how different parts of the business come together.
And, on the other hand, what are the biggest challenges?
Balancing short‑term problem‑solving — the daily “fires” that need immediate attention — with longer‑term improvements is one of the biggest challenges in my role. It requires staying calm and focused while navigating internal limitations on one side and customer expectations on the other. But those challenges are also what keep the job engaging since they push me and the team to continuously adapt, improve, and work smarter together.
What advice would you give to people wanting to work in a position like yours?
I’d say that because people will often turn to you for answers, it’s important to keep an open mind, stay patient, and be solution‑oriented. The role is highly cross‑functional, so take the time to understand the bigger picture and how different parts of the business connect. And be prepared to juggle many moving parts at once — it’s simply part of the job.
What does Customer Obsession mean to you, and how do you live it out in your daily work?
To me, Customer Obsession means truly understanding what both external and internal customers need to succeed — and applying that in our daily work. It means acting quickly and accurately, sharing information proactively, and listening carefully. When we do that consistently, we build confidence and loyalty with our customers.
Tell us about your experience of working in a multinational environment and the opportunities that exist within the company?
A multinational work environment is truly enriching. Interacting daily with colleagues from different countries and cultural backgrounds broadens your perspective and teaches you a great deal about communication while also appreciating and learning different ways of working. Electrolux Professional Group also offers many opportunities to grow — whether within your current role or beyond it — through cross‑regional and cross‑functional projects, additional responsibilities, or simply by learning from colleagues with deep, specialized expertise.
Why choose to work at Electrolux Professional Group?
For me, it all comes back to our guiding principles: focusing on the customer, building trust, being bold, and acting sustainably for a better world. At the core are our high‑quality products and our commitment to developing them with sustainability in mind — while never forgetting the people behind the work. Electrolux Professional Group is a place where you can make an impact, grow your skills, and feel part of a team. You’re appreciated and welcomed, just as you are.
Do you aspire to pursue a career similar to Virpi’s? Check out our global career site