Development Manager

OivaTyö Oy; Alajärvi; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Epira Oy, based in Karstula, Central Finland, develops wood-based products for agriculture, animal care, environmental services, gardens and industry. You will lead new product development and improve current production methods, coordinating ideation, material sourcing and experiments with internal teams and external partners.

The Development Manager collaborates with the CEO, production supervisor and sales, and may work with universities and research organizations to drive end-to-end projects,

Qualifications

• Experience in product development and industrial production.
• Experience in project management and automation.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.
• B driving license.

Responsibilities

• Ideation of new products and applications.
• Sourcing new raw materials and partners.
• Organizing experiments and research collaborations.
• Developing production methods and lines.
• Tendering machines and services.
• Advancing production lines.
• Improving efficiency and safety.
• Managing project schedules and costs.
• Completing ongoing development projects.
• Developing the factory area.

Skills

End-to-end project management

Procurement & negotiation

Budgeting & investment insight

Problem-solving

Automation & production technology

Job description

Epira Oy, based in Karstula, Central Finland, manufactures wood-based products for agriculture, animal care, environmental services, gardens and industry. Known for Ruti products such as Ruti-Rex crate softener, Ruti-Mix peat cutter, and Ruti drying peat. The role focuses on new product development and improvement of current production methods.

• ideation of new products and applications
• sourcing new raw materials and partners
• organizing experiments and research collaborations
• developing production methods and lines
• tendering machines and services
• advancing production lines
• improving efficiency and safety
• managing project schedules and costs
• completing ongoing development projects
• and developing the factory area.

The Development Manager will collaborate with the CEO, production supervisor and sales, and possibly universities and research organizations.

• Requires ability to drive projects end-to-end
• procurement and negotiation skills
• budgeting and investment insight
• problem-solving
• interest in automation and production technology

Work mainly at Karstula factory with occasional travel to partners or suppliers.

Requires a valid B-driver's license.

The role may involve participating in fairs and marketing and covering others during their holidays.

Permanent, full-time 37.5h/week; 6-month probation; office hours Monday–Friday; flexible start date; under the Hirsitaloteollisuuden toimihenkilöiden työehtosopimus.

Deadline 6.9.2026.

• Independent, practical and proactive thinker
• Experience in product development and industrial production
• Experience in project management and automation
• Willingness to travel occasionally
• B driving license