[ DAIRY MANAGERS ]
Dairy Managers: Mælkeritidende presents a series of portrait articles on managers and other personalities in the dairy industry. All portraits can be found at www.maelkeritidende.dk/portrætter - and a selection is published in the magazine.
The Danish manager in Östersund Kenneth Severin describes himself as “the only Arla boss who can take his ice skates, his cross-country skis, and his boat to work”. Two years ago, he swapped his job at Krusaa Dairy, Denmark with a job at Östersund Dairy, way up north in Sweden. Here he is the Senior Site Manager at the cheese-producing dairy.
1.500 kilometres – the distance Kenneth has relocated from his home in South Jutland. And it was not an easy decision to sell the house, pack the bags, and move to Sweden with his family. Fortunately, it turned out to be the right decision, Kenneth says.
the surrounding nature is not the only difference from the life he was used to in Denmark: - Moving to Sweden has been turbulent – more so than you would imagine. On the surface, Denmark and Sweden are remarkKenneth Severin
When opportunities arise - I had never really imagined that I would end up as a dairy manager, Kenneth says with a smile. - But sometimes, you have to grasp the opportunity, when you have the chance. And this is characteristic of Kenneth’s career which started with a job as seasonal replacement at Branderup Dairy in 1996. Later, Kenneth’s paths have led past Rødkærsbro Dairy, Høgelund Dairy, and most recently Krusaa Dairy – a job Kenneth identifies to be a landmark in his career. - My time at Krusaa Dairy was one of the periods in my life that offered maximum career developments. Here I participated in talent development and coaching programs – and they had an impact. In my opinion, as a leader, you are inspired by the leaders you have had yourself. You pick up the best from all of them and use it in your own development, he says. Turbulence and cultural differences Kenneth lives in Sweden now, at a location overlooking both lakes and mountains. And
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Curriculum Vitae – Kenneth Severin, Senior Site Manager: 2000-2001: Dairy traineeship, Branderup Dairy 2001-2003: Dairy traineeship, Tholstrup Cheese 2003: Completed dairyman training 2003-2005: Dairyman, Tholstrup Cheese 2005-2005: Dairyman, Branderup Dairy 2005-2010: Dairyman, Rødkærsbro Dairy 2010-2013: Production Coordinator, Høgelund Dairy 2014-2015: Team Leader, Høgelund Dairy 2016-2019: Team Leader, Krusaa Dairy 2019- Senior Site Manager, present: Östersund Dairy
ably similar, but the two countries are culturally different. Handling the COVID-19 situation proves the point, Kenneth elaborates and continues: - During my time at the dairy, we have focused a lot on streamlining and improving operations. Arla Foods bought the dairy 10 years ago, and since then, we have continued to update operations to adapt to the new reality. At the same time, we have laser focused on safety and security culture – developments evolving in an incredibly positive direction. Focus on educational standards - I am passionate about dairy training and education, and while I have been here, I have realized that the level of education in Denmark is something we can be extraordinarily proud of. It is the educational programmes that must future-proof the Danish dairy industry. In Sweden, I have become involved in the educational environment, and I am now a member on the board that represents the dairy technician training and education programmes, says Kenneth. As for the other challenges involved in dairy farming, Kenneth identifies digitalization and the need for sustainable development as key parameters. - Everything continues to develop so fast – both technologically and socially – and it is more crucial than ever to be on the leading edge, he concludes.
