Merima crew member
From internship to award-winning career: my decade-long journey at Merima
Kaisa joined Merima in January 2015 as an intern while studying for her Bachelor’s in Business Administration (BBA), working in the finance department. Little did she know that those eight weeks would shape the next decade of her career, full of challenges, opportunities, and growth.
Kaisa’s journey at Merima perfectly showcases the diverse career paths the company offers. Starting as an intern in the finance department, she transitioned through roles in project coordination, on-site project work in Japan and Germany, and eventually into her current position as a Project Controller. Her ability to adapt, learn, and excel across various roles highlights Merima’s commitment to fostering growth and exploring new challenges.
A passionate advocate for the company, Kaisa motivates and encourages her colleagues, always focusing on collaboration and improvement. It’s no surprise that her dedication and impact earned her the title of Employee of the Year 2023.
Name
Kaisa Mäntynen
Job title
Project Controller
Member of merima crew
Location
Helsinki
“Merima’s management team has consistently supported my development, often identifying new challenges for me before I even realized I needed them. Whether it’s offering training opportunities or encouraging me to explore different roles (even abroad), they’ve ensured I get new challenges so that my career is always evolving.”
Once her internship came to an end, Merima offered Kaisa the opportunity to join full-time as a Project Coordinator. A few months later, she was given the chance to support a project on-site in Japan for a couple of weeks, handling invoices and processing working visas. Those two weeks turned into 18 months.
During her time in Nagasaki, Kaisa completed two major projects with Mitsubishi. “Even though the working culture was vastly different, the support from my colleagues made it easier to navigate. I even picked up a bit of Japanese – though I’ve forgotten most of it now!
From Japan, Kaisa moved to Germany, where she started getting deeply involved in the project teams, managing purchasing, working directly with suppliers, spending more time on-site, and joining sea trials on the vessels Merima built. “Those two years in Papenburg were intense – we worked quite long days, but it was incredibly rewarding. It felt like we were part of something tangible and exciting, and the team was amazing!”
Kaisa is currently a Project Controller at Merima, focusing on overseeing project financials, including cost tracking, margin analysis, and regular reviews with project teams. She also handles all sales invoicing and uses her on-site experience to guide and support teams, ensuring collaboration between finance and project execution.
Culture and support: The Merima Way
Speaking of why Kaisa has spent a decade of her career at Merima, she adds: “One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Merima is the culture. There’s no strict hierarchy—if you need something, you can reach out to anyone, even the CEO.”
“We also focus heavily on collaboration. Finance teams at other companies might stay in the background, but at Merima, we actively work with project teams to find ways to make their lives easier. This approach led to a special moment last year when I was voted Employee of the Year. It’s rare for someone with a background in finance to win that award, but it felt great to know that my colleagues valued the support I provide.”
“If you’re considering a career at Merima, my advice is simple: Do it! You’ll have the support you need to succeed, work with fantastic colleagues, and tackle exciting, challenging projects. You’ll also have opportunities to grow—both professionally and personally.”
Outside of work, Kaisa is passionate about sports and enjoys spending time with her family. She played basketball for 14 years and recently started CrossFit.
