Vaiva Brazauskienė currently works as a Production Coordinator at the Kauno Grūdai instant food factory in Kėdainiai. Although her academic background is in landscape design, she eventually realized that it was more of a hobby than a long-term career path. Vaiva began her career in manufacturing over a decade ago and now confidently states that consistent work, curiosity, and a desire to grow have opened up significant opportunities for advancement.
From Production Worker to Coordinator
Vaiva began her journey at the Kauno Grūdai factory in Kėdainiai working on the pasta production line—packing products into boxes, sorting, and performing repetitive tasks. However, she quickly realized that this wasn’t her calling.
“After some time, I understood this job wasn’t a fit for me. I quickly became bored because everything was stable and repetitive. I felt like I needed a role that allowed more thinking, problem-solving, and creativity,” Vaiva recalls.
Within a year, she transitioned to a dough mixing operator role, learned new functions, and gained a detailed understanding of the production process. Yet, soon the familiar feeling returned - she lacked challenges. That’s when the idea of professional growth emerged, and she began aspiring to become a production supervisor.
However, motherhood postponed this dream. Due to her son's health issues, her parental leave extended longer than expected, and returning to work seemed uncertain.
But the break didn’t last long. Just six months later, Vaiva received a call from her former employer. Kauno Grūdai offered her a temporary position to cover for colleagues during vacation time.
“I had missed work, so with the help of grandparents to look after my child, I returned - thinking it would only be for a few months,” she says with a smile.
That return proved to be a turning point. The company had an open supervisor position at the time, and Vaiva's old dream resurfaced. She began learning the ropes of supervision, took on a daytime supervisor role, and, as she puts it, constantly looked for opportunities to go above and beyond.
“I’ve always been curious; everything interests me. Even as a supervisor, I wanted to learn and do more than my role required. I think that kind of initiative was noticed by the factory management. A new position - Production Coordinator - was created, and I was offered the role. I was afraid, but I realized this was another window of opportunity to continue growing, which aligns perfectly with my philosophy: lifelong learning,” says Vaiva Brazauskienė.
A Dynamic Workday and Strong Team—The Foundation of Success
While the coordinator role comes with significant responsibility, Vaiva sees it as a motivation rather than a burden. She appreciates that her work is dynamic and far from monotonous—challenges inspire her instead of exhausting her.
“No two days are alike. Everything is dynamic at the factory—you need to be able to adapt quickly to changes or unexpected situations and find efficient solutions. There are all kinds of challenges, but I actually enjoy them. They energize me, especially when everything goes according to plan or we even hit production records. That’s when you feel something special,” she explains.
According to Vaiva, her daily tasks go beyond production planning. She collaborates with the central office in Kaunas, splits orders between shifts, coordinates production flow, and resolves unexpected issues. She believes the key is being open to new knowledge, maintaining a positive mindset, and having trust in the team.
“What matters most to me is that Kauno Grūdai offers opportunities for development and growth to everyone who truly wants it. There are plenty of training programs. I’m now in my second year of studying in Kauno Grūdai’s ‘Masters Academy,’ and this course has provided invaluable insights—even into psychological aspects and body language. That kind of experience is priceless,” she says.
A Workplace That Feels Like a Community
Vaiva shares that she enjoys her job—Mondays don’t feel dreadful, and her colleagues are like a warm community. They don’t just share work challenges; they also enjoy spending time together—eating lunch, celebrating special occasions.
“There are ups and downs, of course, but I go to work with a smile—it feels like a celebration,” Vaiva says. She also emphasizes the importance of support in the workplace, especially for newcomers.
“I always encourage my colleagues, especially the new ones. If I see someone feeling unsure, I approach them, talk, give advice, offer encouragement, teach them,” says the Production Coordinator about her daily routine.
According to her, the employer genuinely cares about its employees—offering flexible schedules for families, organizing events, and providing additional benefits. Joint activities help strengthen workplace relationships.
“Kauno Grūdai has recently been investing a lot in employee wellbeing and offers opportunities to attend events with the team. It’s a big company, so it’s important to meet colleagues from other cities whom we usually only see in online meetings,” she adds.