Ilkka Rauhala

Background

About Ilkka Rauhala

As a Product Owner, I have led the development and implementation of in-house AI / ML advanced analytics solutions across multiple countries and company mills in the area of operations, specifically in production and maintenance. My current role involves translating customer needs into a product vision and developing and scaling products and features to meet those needs. I have extensive experience in leading people in various levels of supervisory roles, and a proven track record of achieving results as the leader of my own unit. In my current role I am responsible for managing user stories, organizing customer feedback, and identifying common roadblocks by acting as a customer support representative. By driving development towards meeting project goals, I keep customers invested in the product to maximize its value. I also focus on product quality to maintain conceptual and technical integrity. My current product repertoire includes in-house software products at different stages of the life cycle, from POC to productization and scale-up. These applications leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as data pipelines, engineering, warehousing, cloud services, and frontend user interface development. In addition to communicating with end-users and other stakeholders and performing product admin work, I also enjoy developing different parts of the stack myself. My long career in operations and people management has given me an innate user-oriented perspective on product development, which has proved invaluable in my work. In my prior professional engagements, I have successfully overseen and streamlined customer-centric processes and services. Notably, I've taken the lead on multifaceted implementation projects involving diverse systems, encompassing comprehensive end-user training and robust stakeholder communication. My tenure in managing Cinema events and retail stores has honed a versatile skill set that uniquely qualifies me for a range of roles, including-Conducting interviews and executing hiring processes -Designing and executing comprehensive training programs -Expertly resolving conflicts and nurturing positive customer interactions -Masterminding effective merchandising strategies -Ensuring seamless operational efficiency -Managing office administration tasks -Demonstrating adept leadership in supervising teams of employees, supervisors and specialists -Strategically scheduling and optimizing resource allocation -Conducting business analyses -Nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset that thrives on innovation and growth