Always being able to see the results of your work
Torbjörn Vadhammar grew up dreaming of becoming a fighter pilot. In real life, he joined the Swedish Navy and later earned a Master of Science in engineering degree. Although Torbjörn shelved his pilot dream long ago, he now gets to test his mettle every day as a logistics expert at Saab.
Three years after joining Saab, Torbjörn became the logistics manager with a key role throughout the logistics value chain in projects and programmes linked to Airbus and Boeing.
“These projects had a tendency to constantly evolve and change, which placed high demands on internal and external flows. Being new to the role, it was a very educational period where the importance of creating cost-aware flows with the right quality became extremely apparent,” says Torbjörn.
From logistics to customs
There are always good opportunities for development at Saab. For Torbjörn, this has resulted in his current post as a customs officer for Saab.
“Our job is to work together with Saab clearing agents to ensure that the company complies with laws and regulations, that licensing is correct, and that we meet the customs requirements placed on the business,” says Torbjörn.
Big company, big challenges
This is, understandably, a major challenge since Saab is a big company with numerous business units and a wide variety of operations.
“For those of us working with this, it involves having control over all the products and different types of materials purchased, the scope of which is massive considering Saab’s broad product portfolio.”
In addition to his customs duties, Torbjörn also serves as a stakeholder for Saab’s transports. Among other things, it has to do with establishing requirements for and managing the freight forwarding and customs operations that Saab has outsourced and the carriers that the company has agreements with.
“The job has provided me with a very wide internal and external network of contacts made up of suppliers, customers, and authorities. These relationships are extremely important for the collaboration to function well. Of course, I don’t do all the work on my own. I share responsibility with a colleague who is an invaluable sounding board,” explains Torbjörn.
A utopia for engineers
Without the right knowledge, it can be difficult to comprehend the breadth of Saab’s operations. Our fighter aircraft, radar systems, submarines, weapons systems and other military products are all well known. But Saab is so much more. For example, we are currently a world leader in the digitisation of airports, management systems for civil purposes, and avionics for civil aviation. Saab also devotes considerable resources to research and development every year, more than most other Swedish companies.
“Saab’s broad operations make the company a utopia for engineers. I’m very happy with what I’m doing right now, but I also know that if I feel like trying something new someday, it won’t be difficult to find new, exciting challenges in Saab,” says Torbjörn.
Training that boosts brain power
In his free time – well, whatever is left over since he has young children at home – he mainly spends training for and competing in Triathlon.
“I’ve now set my sights on competing in Ironman 70.3 in Jönköping. I’m really looking forward to that race. I’ve always enjoyed sports and athletics and training makes me feel good. It also helps me to focus and maintain that focus throughout the workday,” concludes Torbjörn Vadhammar.