Born and raised in Alytus district, Tomas Ramančiuckas shares his journey through life, marked by various twists and turns. He emphasizes the importance of self-education, embracing change, and overcoming challenges. After a decade spent living abroad, Tomas has returned to Alytus and now heads the production unit of one of Lithuania's largest food and feed producers, AB Kauno Grūdai.
Tomas recalls making significant life choices at a young age. "After finishing high school, I got married and had to support a family, so I had to put my studies on hold and start working. We tried to build a life in Lithuania, but like any young family, we wanted a higher income and had many dreams and needs. So, I eventually went to work in Ireland, planning to stay for six months, but ended up staying for a whole decade," recalls T. Ramančiuckas.
When it was time for their children to start school, the family decided they wanted to continue raising their children in Lithuania, as they always considered Lithuania their true home. As Tomas recounts, upon returning to his native Alytus region, he knew exactly where he wanted to work: at Kauno Grūdai. Even while in Ireland, he had heard great things about the company from his fellow countrymen who worked there.
"Kauno Grūdai" is well-known in Alytus as one of the largest employers, with a reputation for being a stable and growing organization. Upon my return to Lithuania, I was eager to join the company and was fortunate to secure a position as a production worker in the protein-vitamin supplements division. While the work was physically demanding, it provided a solid foundation for my career. Soon after, I was offered the opportunity to lead a team of 20 people as a production supervisor in the pet food division. Initially, I hesitated, but after careful consideration, I realized it was an opportunity for growth and accepted the challenge."
"The new position and responsibilities forced me to learn a lot. I had to develop both personally and professionally. Everything was new to me. I received a lot of advice from my colleagues, some good, some bad. Eventually, I realized that I couldn't rely solely on others' advice and had to start with myself, to change. So, I immersed myself in courses and self-help books to become a true leader. I realized that I needed more knowledge, that a high school diploma was not enough. I decided to enroll at Alytus College and studied food technology. I also greatly appreciate Kauno Grūdai's "Masters Academy." These studies changed my understanding of how to behave in a team, how to motivate people, and how to lead a team forward. I value stability and don't like changing jobs. I prefer to improve the situation where I am rather than look for something better elsewhere. As the saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side, but what have I done to make it greener on my side? We should always start with ourselves," shares Tomas.
When asked about the personal qualities that have helped him succeed in his career, Tomas mentions perfectionism and curiosity: "I have a tendency, which I've been trying to overcome, to believe that I can do everything best. Looking back, I see that this quality helped me learn and grow, but in the long run, especially in a team, you need to learn to trust and believe in others. That's what I'm trying to do today—grow myself and develop my team, share responsibilities, and together reach new heights. But most importantly, it was probably my desire to delve deeper and understand how to do what I do best. I never lose my desire to learn. Every new training, book, and new professional knowledge is a real pleasure for me. I constantly absorb information and believe that we should learn throughout our lives."
Today, Tomas Ramančiuckas leads a team of 38 people. With his new role came new challenges as well. Tomas was tasked with redesigning the entire production concept, restructuring, and redistributing employee responsibilities. "New responsibilities came with the new role. Now, I also oversee personnel and budget management issues, in addition to daily tasks, and I participate in higher-level management meetings and manage investment issues. Everything is new to me, but at the same time, it's incredibly interesting, so I know I will handle everything just fine," says T. Ramančiuckas optimistically.
When asked if it’s difficult to find employees for his team, Tomas says that "Kauno Grūdai" in the Alytus region is a well-known employer, so there is no shortage of people wanting to work there:
"When I need to find new members for the team, I like to take unconventional approaches. People nowadays 'live' on social media, so when a job posting is shared there, the news about job openings spreads quickly, and we have no shortage of applicants. Especially since here, there’s always a strong, supportive, professional, and growing team waiting. I believe that in recent years, after the merger with AB Akola Group, 'Kauno Grūdai' has become particularly visible in Alytus city. The company operates two factories here, and soon, a third will open. We actively participate in city celebrations and cultural events.Employees constantly feel the attention of management; a lot of effort is put into creating additional benefits for them. Health insurance is provided, events and celebrations are organized, and gifts are given to employees and their children on various occasions. In our pet food factory, as production volumes grow, we are also planning quite a few changes that, I believe, will benefit the entire team."