David Johansson, believes in love at first sight - at least when it comes to career. When he first started at ISOPARTNER at the warehouse in Oslo, he felt like coming home. Today, he's a product manager with a foot in both Norway and Sweden. We had a chat with David, so you can get to know the leader of our product team a little better.
From Sweden to Oslo - a fresh start
David left Sweden at the age of 19 to start a new chapter in Norway. He got a job at our warehouse in Oslo in 2008, and it was here that his interest in the insulation industry really blossomed. ‘It felt like coming home,’ David says of his time at the warehouse, where he worked in both customer service and logistics.
Read also: Meet the isopartners: Trond Erik Johansen - Podcast anchor with a passion for insulation
From warehouse to studies to sales
After a few years as a warehouse employee, David decided to further his education in sales and marketing. Three years later, with a bachelor's degree from BI Norwegian Business School in his luggage, he contacted CEO Arne Schultz again to see if there was a suitable role. After a coffee in Grünerløkka, they agreed that David should take on a sales role in connection with the expansion of the Oslo branch. ‘I had to figure things out on my own,’ he says with a smile, describing how, as the only pure salesman in the company at the time, he learned to manoeuvre the world of sales, a challenging but exciting role he thrived in.
The pandemic changed course
When the pandemic hit, David was thrown into several roles at once. ‘It was a time to be creative,’ he says. He took on responsibility for both the Oslo warehouse and procurement processes, and the team had to find solutions on how to continue to provide customers with great service - despite strict restrictions. ‘Our customers still wanted their coffee,’ David laughs, reminiscing about how they managed to adapt.
The role of product manager
Today, David is Product Manager for Sweden and Norway, and he relishes the responsibility. ‘The best part of the role is seeing a product idea go from concept to success,’ he says. With a keen eye for detail and an ability to understand customer needs, David ensures that ISOPARTNER always has the best solutions in stock and in the online store.
Team spirit and freedom
For David, leadership is not just about getting things done, but about creating a strong team. ‘We need to be able to delegate tasks to each other. That's the key to success,’ he says, emphasising the importance of teamwork. His goal is to ensure that the team can always support each other - whether on big projects or day-to-day tasks.
His team includes Jonas Claeson, who works as logistics manager for both Sweden and Norway. Jonas plays an important role in ensuring that logistics runs smoothly across both countries. Dan Axel Lemke, Product Admin Specialist in Sweden, ensures that the ERP system and price updates are in place. Mats Forsberg, known as ‘Matte’, works as a Purchasing Coordinator and has the main responsibility for purchasing for Sweden, while Inge Henriksen in Norway keeps track of purchasing for the Norwegian warehouses.
Together, they ensure that all parts of the product logistics work seamlessly, and David makes sure that no one is left alone with too much responsibility - they should be able to solve challenges together.
Football passion: From Halmstad to the Emirates with Arsenal in his heart
When it comes to football, David is not alone with his Arsenal heart at ISOPARTNER. Like sales manager in Sweden, Pierre von Sicard, he shares a passion for the English team. ‘Arsenal legend Fredrik Ljungberg comes from my hometown of Halmstad, so that's probably the main reason I started rooting for them,’ he reflects. If the Gunners win on Saturday, you can be sure there will be a good atmosphere in the office on Monday!
Looking to the future
With an increasingly digitised industry, David is keen for ISOPARTNER to be at the forefront of developments. ‘We've worked hard to make our products more accessible digitally,’ he says, emphasising the webshop as an important tool for the future.
David Johansson is a leader who understands the value of being close to both the team and the customers. With his experience and attention to detail, he is ready to take ISOPARTNER into the future - always with a smile and a cup of coffee in hand.