When Ruth Leppik started at Fresh Servant in May 2016, there was a sense of a new beginning in many ways. Fresh Servant was in the middle of an expansion project, and part of the production was still operating in the middle of a construction site.
“I remember that some of the areas were covered with tarpaulins, and the whole place looked a bit chaotic. But we made it work,” Ruth says with a smile.
She started as part of a small group through the employment office. Several people from that same group still work at Fresh Servant today, which says something about the attractiveness of the workplace.
The beginning at Fresh Servant was intense. New things came up constantly, and the pace was fast.
“On the packaging side, for example, we learned how to place crisp bags in boxes the right way around, and in pre-preparation we prepared so much cucumber that I sometimes saw it in my dreams,” Ruth says with a laugh.
“There was as much work as you had the energy to do – but the colleagues were really nice, and that helped a lot.”
Over the years, Ruth’s career at Fresh Servant has taken her through many different roles. She has worked as a machine operator, moved on to become a warehouse organiser and gained experience in supervisory work while standing in for the logistics team leader. Each step has opened a new perspective on the company’s operations.
“Each of those moments has been one where you have had to jump a little into the unknown,” Ruth says.
“But those are exactly the situations where you learn the most.”
The biggest change came when Ruth had the opportunity to join the method developer training and move into her current role.
“This has probably been the biggest leap. The tasks, the work environment and the colleagues all changed quite a lot at once,” she says.
“At the same time, it has been really interesting – you get to look at things from a completely different perspective and help develop them.”
Along the way, Ruth has developed a clear view of what ultimately brings people together at work.
“People are different, there are many roles and many departments – but the company and its goals bring us together,” she says.
“After all, we spend a large part of our lives here. That is why it feels natural to do things as well as possible and develop your own work environment.”
One thing, however, has surprised Ruth in a positive way.
“I have noticed how easy it is to contact people in different departments. Even though everyone has their own work to do, you can quickly reach anyone through Teams and discuss development opportunities,” Ruth says.
“And yes – also the fact that a 10-kilometre commute by bike is not actually as long as I thought,” she adds with a twinkle in her eye.
For Ruth, moments of success are found in everyday work.
“The best feeling comes when you are able to solve a practical problem. Even small things can make everyday work easier for many people.”
When Ruth describes the work community at Fresh Servant, she returns to one word: internationality.
“We have so many different nationalities, cultures and languages here. I think there are few workplaces in Finland where this is so visible,” she says.
“And most importantly – there is no ‘one size fits all’ thinking here. People’s different life situations are taken into account whenever possible.”
Flexibility shows in everyday life in many ways: working hours can be adjusted according to different life situations, and different needs are understood.
“That makes the work community a place where you can be yourself,” Ruth says.
In her current role, Ruth especially values the variety of the work and the opportunities to develop the way things are done.
“The work is very varied, and often you have to think a little outside the box if you really want to develop the way things are done,” she says.
The company’s direction also brings motivation to everyday work.
“Fresh Servant is a genuinely growing and developing company. It brings a sense of security and also energy – things are constantly happening here.”
In the future, Ruth wants to continue learning and developing.
“I want to develop in my current role and be part of making concrete improvements to everyday work together with the team,” she says.
“I would also be interested in understanding logistics and the entire supply chain even better – and perhaps getting to know the procurement department more closely.”
If a colleague is thinking about their own direction, Ruth’s message is clear.
“If you are offered a new role, it is worth taking it. You can always go back, but the same opportunity may not come again,” she says.
“If nothing else, at least you will learn something new.”
Ruth’s story is an example of how a career can take different directions when you have the courage to seize opportunities. At Fresh Servant, growth does not mean one fixed path, but many alternatives, the opportunity to learn new things and the courage to follow a path of your own.
