Metso Insights Blog People and culture Sandra
Oct 19, 2021

Building expertise in QEHS

Sandra Méndez loves working in Quality, Environmental, Health, and Safety (QEHS) as the work allows her to address some of the most relevant topics such as quality in our products and services, safety, and environmental management in our operations. This makes everyday work meaningful and inspiring to Sandra. Sandra joined us in 2014 as a QEHS Assistant Manager for Market Area Andes. Currently, she is working as an Integrated Management Systems Manager for South America, located in Lima, Perú. We asked Sandra to tell us about her career journey at Metso Outotec.
Metso Outotec employee career story

When did you start at Metso Outotec and in which position?

Hi, I am Sandra Méndez. I started in March 2014 as QEHS (Quality, Environmental, Health & Safety) Assistant Manager for Market Area Andes, reporting to the Local HR Manager and Regional QEHS Manager. During my first year in the company, organizational changes took place to integrate operations and I was appointed as QEHS Manager for Market Area Andes.

 

What kind of roles have you had? What have you learned?

My roles were related to QEHS functions, main changes were related to the scope and challenges of those positions.  First as QEHS Assistant Manager with a focus on the activities in Perú. My second role was QEHS Manager for Market Area Andes, and I was responsible for all QEHS activities supporting operations and support functions in our main locations in Chile and Perú. The scope of MA Andes included activities in South America except for Brazil. My current role is Integrated Management System (IMS) Manager for South America. During all these years I have learned about our business processes, our technology, diversity, teamwork and how to address the organizational changes that have occurred over the past few years.

During all these years I have learned about our business processes, our technology, diversity, teamwork and how to address the organizational changes that have occurred over the past few years.

What does your regular work week include?

Regarding warranty claims, my work week involves follow-up of customer claims, regular meetings with my team to check relevant issues that need to be escalated and progress in closing the claims.  In addition, I have regular meetings with top managers to present the relevant KPI regarding customer claims and coordinate with other areas to resolve some complex cases.

I love working with QEHS Management System because it allows the organization to address such relevant topics as quality in our products and services, safety and environmental management in our operations.

Regarding the integration and harmonization of the quality, safety and environmental management system in Market Area South America, I work closely with the QEHS team and other operative areas to make sure our Management System is maintained, reviewed and continuously improved. I participate in monthly QEHS meetings with QEHS Corporate Team to make sure we include our corporate guidelines in our local QEHS Management System.

 

What is it that you most like about your job? What do you like about Metso Outotec as an employer?

I love working with QEHS Management System because it allows the organization to address such relevant topics as quality in our products and services, safety and environmental management in our operations.

Metso Outotec is such a great company with several processes to allow career development, competence development, training, gathering feedback from employees and clear guidelines for employee’s health and safety.

It is important to have a good setup on how to address these topics, make sure all employees understand their role and responsibilities and how their jobs impact our targets and performance.

Metso Outotec is such a great company with several processes to allow career development, competence development, training, gathering feedback from employees and clear guidelines for employee’s health and safety. This last point is always important but even more during this covid-19 pandemic.

 

What is your favorite Metso Outotec value?

Getting it done – together is one of my favorite values.  Due to my role working together with colleagues from other areas is key!  For example, attending customer claims involves working together with colleagues from different areas (Sales, TS, Customer Logistics, Finance, etc), speed and effective action requires the commitment and empowerment of all colleagues involved.

Getting it done – together is one of my favorite values. Speed and effective action requires the commitment and empowerment of all colleagues involved.

What is your biggest career achievement?

When I joined the company, I had the challenge to make sure our local management system in Perú and Chile was aligned with corporate guidelines and ready for multisite certification that included the visit of our locations in Chile.  Leading this process was a huge challenge that required understanding the organization in a very short period and working together with different areas.  We had a very good result and feedback from the external auditors about our system in place. 

 

What do you do in your spare time?

I am always looking for outdoor activities, traveling and getting to know new places, people, and customs. I love barbecues with family and friends.
This year I started to practice open-water swimming. I live very close to the sea but for some reason, I had never practiced this sport before. This pandemic and restrictions in my city due to covid-19 push me to do something different to get balance in my life.

This year I started to practice open-water swimming. I live very close to the sea but for some reason I had never practiced this sport before. This pandemic and restrictions in my city due to covid-19 push me to do something different to get balance in my life.  Open-water swimming has been a great experience.

 

What is your motto?

Don’t be afraid.

Be focused

Be determined

Be hopeful

Be empowered

-Michelle Obama