25.11.2025
A varied career led Harri Talvensaari to sales and metallurgy
Name: Harri Talvensaari
Title: Director, Sales
Education: Graduate Engineer in Process Engineering
How long have you been working at Kopar:
1.5 years
How you spend your free time: I like being out in nature. Summers are spent mountain and road biking and fishing, and winters cross-country skiing.
Before joining Kopar, Harri Talvensaari worked extensively in various positions in the process industry. His career started at Boliden Harjavalta's copper and nickel smelter as an operating engineer, before moving on to Outotec and Metso.
Harri worked as a metallurgist, product manager and sales manager in the smelting business.
- I did everything from product development and management to customer solutions and audits. Later, the role expanded to sales and commercial development of technologies. In practice, it was a combination of technology and customer interface, which suited me well.
”I got a call asking me if I was interested in coming to Kopar. After a few conversations, I decided to take the opportunity.”
Harri Talvensaari, Director, Sales
Kopar by invitation: sales, management and development
Harri joined Kopar when the company's previous sales director moved on to new challenges.
- I got a call asking me if I was interested in coming to Kopar. After a few discussions, I decided to take the opportunity.
As Sales Director, Harri is responsible for the overall sales function at Kopar, covering both project sales and service sales. He is responsible for seven direct subordinates and one service-side manager and his team.
The job involves pre-sales tasks, sales development, marketing coordination and managing the activities of sales agents.
- I also do my own sales work - preparing quotes, negotiating contracts and taking on some of the customer business. I also sit on the company's management team and regularly report on sales results. It's a wide range of tasks and there are hardly any two days that are the same.
”Everyone knows each other here and there's a good spirit of working together. The atmosphere is relaxed but goal-oriented. The advantage of a small organisation is that you can make a difference and your own handprint is visible.”
Harri Talvensaari, Director, Sales
A small, agile and collaborative workplace
Harri describes Kopar as an appropriately sized and relaxed working community.
- Here, everyone knows each other and there is a good spirit of doing things. The atmosphere is relaxed but goal-oriented. The advantage of a small organisation is that you can make a difference and your handprint is visible.
Kopar also supports the development and training of its employees.
- If you want to learn something new, you will be supported. There is an open and supportive approach to training.
”I might be talking to a Finnish and an Indian customer in the morning and in the afternoon I might be in a meeting with a Chilean sales agent. The cultures and ways of working are very different, which makes the job really interesting.”
Harri Talvensaari, Director, Sales
A job that takes you around the world
The role of sales manager also brings with it an international dimension. Kopar's customers are located all over the world, which makes the job varied and culturally rich.
- I might be talking to a Finnish and an Indian client in the morning and in the afternoon I might be in a meeting with a Chilean sales agent. The cultures and ways of working are very different, which makes the job really interesting.
He also says that the customer is at the heart of Kopar's strategy.
- We focus on good service and long-term relationships. We succeed when the customer succeeds.
Harri's tip for those interested in job opportunities is simple:
- Come if you want to do varied and meaningful work. Here you can challenge yourself and develop your skills. The client base is diverse and the projects are different - no two are the same. If you want variety and to see the world, Kopar is the perfect place to do it.