Johanna Kuusela

HSQE-expert

Johanna Kuusela’s career with companies including Rolls Royce, UPM and Nordic Lights brings a wealth of knowledge to Rani Plast and its Health, Safety, Quality and Environment (HSQE) team. 

Johanna, 37, who was born in Jakobstad, joined Rani Plast in May and her knowledge not only as an HSQE expert, but also as a mechanical engineering Master’s graduate from Tampere University, has already been put to good use.

As Rani Plast develops product safety through international certifications, particularly for more sustainable packaging materials, and develops its accident-free working environment using initiatives like its Safety Starts With Me -campaign, Johanna’s auditing and analytical skills will help Rani Plast meet its goals in these areas.

Long experience of quality work

After a nine-year career with Rolls Royce in Kokkola, where she worked as a Quality Engineer in waterjet production, Johanna spent a year and half with UPM in Jakobstad as a Maintenance Development Engineer before joining Nordic Lights and then Rani Plast, which was looking for a specialist to strengthen its HSQE team.

“I love working with people and Rani Plast allows you to work the way that suits you.”

Projects with which Johanna will be involved include developing quality and safety, updating Rani’s chemical management system, helping develop a new company intranet and meeting BRCGS global food safety and hygiene standards for Rani Plast’s food packaging film. 

Big family feel

Rani Plast already has in place the 5S safety management system, a Japanese initiative which prioritises ‘sort, set, shine, standards, sustain’ and Johanna sees this as part of a wider picture of moving safety forward.

After working for large, multi-national corporations, Johanna is enjoying the ‘big family feel’ of Rani Plast.

“People are really welcoming and warm here and you immediately get the feeling of a big family!” said Johanna.

10 minute commute

Another bonus is that she and her family live just a 10-minute drive away in Kaustinen which means her work/life balance allows her to spend quality time with her husband Tommi and their two children, aged three and six. 

There’s more time for Johanna to get out on her road and mountain bikes and with a large garden to tend, she can indulge her interest in gardening. And when the pandemic restrictions ease around the world she’s looking forward to traveling more.

“I love working with people and Rani Plast allows you to work the way that suits you – that’s an appealing style of management and a big attraction for me,” she said.