My name is Antti, and this summer, I worked in Murata Finland’s Sourcing team.

I’m originally from Oulu, but currently living in Helsinki, and I study business at Aalto University. In my major, Information and Service Management, I have specialized in supply chain management and business analytics.

What fascinates me most about supply chain management is its multidimensional complexity: how raw materials and goods from around the world ultimately come together in one place to become a single end product. In the semiconductor industry, supply chains are exceptionally extensive even when considering only direct suppliers, not to mention second- and third-tier suppliers. Since sourcing decisions largely determine the scope and structure of supply chains, I was eager to spend my summer working in procurement and sourcing.

That is how I ended up applying for a summer position at Murata’s Sourcing team. My goal was to learn how procurement is organized at a strategic level and how it is implemented in day-to-day operations.

Looking back on the summer, I can confidently say that I gained a wealth of both practical and theoretical knowledge. My responsibilities focused on indirect procurement, covering a wide range of tasks such as creating and negotiating requests for quotations, placing and tracking orders, and arranging urgent deliveries when needed. On a broader level, I also saw firsthand how supplier selection and supplier relationship management can help mitigate risks across the entire supply chain.

What I value most about my experience at Murata is the trust I was given and the company’s working culture. Thanks to the low practical hierarchy, I was able to solve problems together with colleagues regardless of their titles or positions. Even as a summer trainee, I was encouraged to work independently, take on a variety of responsibilities, and make a real impact.

Antti Honkanen
Summer Trainee, Sourcing