Product Manager Ingrida

Ingrida is no stranger to the dynamic mix of logic and creativity, having filled her intellectual hunger with Modern Technologies and Physics and Innovation and Technology Management degrees.

Ingrida’s career at Ruptela kickstarted in sales, but her tech-savvy heart soon moved her into the Product Manager role. Solving technical challenges and creating positive client relations by engaging with people from across the globe are the duties she enjoys the most. Despite the rollercoaster ride that came with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she adapted quickly, with her cats enjoying her company during the work-from-home phase.

Although a former professional swimmer, she prefers the clear waters of Lithuania’s lakes over shady depths elsewhere. And whether at work or in personal dreams, Ingrida continually seeks new experiences and knowledge. Ruptela’s team is happy to be by her side on this journey!

Tell us more about yourself and what led you to your current position.

Back in 2015, I completed my studies in Modern Technologies and Physics, so I was always into technology. I’ve found a great fit for myself in my current role as Product Manager at Ruptela – it fulfills my eagerness to learn technical things from experts. Additionally, I am still close to our clients and constantly meet interesting people.

When and why did you join Ruptela’s team?

I joined Ruptela in 2019 as a Sales Manager as I wanted to work with global clients, especially from Asia.

How does your journey at Ruptela looks like?

I started my journey as a Sales Manager but quickly became the Head of Sales for the Asia Team within a few months. This transition happened around the start of the Covid pandemic, making things challenging as Asia was hit first. I recall having to cancel a business trip with a colleague after Covid-19 was declared a pandemic by PSO. We booked tickets in the early morning but returned from Malaysia to Lithuania on the same day to start our quarantine at home.

It was a crazy time back then, and we all had to adapt to the “new normal”. However, My cats seemed to enjoy the work-from-home phase. In mid-2020, I moved to Ruptela’s Product Development team, which was a refreshing change as I missed diving into technical matters while working in sales.

How do you start your day? Please share any rituals or tips&tricks that help you stay productive all-day.

I always start my day by checking emails, Teams chat, sales results, and manufacturing backlog to feel the company’s pulse. Usually, I dedicate the first half of the day to urgent or fast tasks affecting others. In the second half of the day, I try to sit on the tasks that require more concentration and are more long-term. At the end of the day, I constantly review what I have done, mark notes, and make a to-do list of what needs to be done the next day so I can be aware of the workload waiting for me tomorrow.

What motivates you to go to work every day?

Challenges and learning something new every day. Working with smart colleagues and experienced customers who are experts in this field is truly inspiring.

What are your job’s most challenging and most cheering elements?

Sometimes, seeing what the future will bring is hard, especially when decisions might only show results years later. In such cases, I gather all the information I can and talk a lot with experts, but no one can predict the future 100%. There are also times when we have to say “no” to some opportunities as it would be impossible to do everything our clients want and keep the same high level of quality.

However, the most cheerful part is when we successfully finish projects or release new devices and get positive feedback from clients and our Sales team. Also, it’s rewarding to see how our hard work pays off and affects the company’s financial results.

Tell us more about your hobbies

While some may not classify it as a hobby, I have a deep passion for continuous learning. At the beginning of this year, I finished my Master’s in Innovation and Technology Management at ISM University. My colleague and I co-authored a master thesis on the effects of a reduced work week, which was honored with the best Thesis award. Now, I am in the process of passing the PSPO I certification.

Sewing is another activity I enjoy, although I’m not a professional seamstress. I’ve always enjoyed fixing or ‘updating’ apparel from second-hand or boutique shops. I am not a fan of fast fashion shops, but I like to have a wardrobe full of clothes (and the classic dilemma of “nothing to wear” some mornings), so at least I am not impacting the environment so much.

Also, I turn to “paint by number” activities to meditate or clear my mind. I like “paint by number” activities. But we already have too many paintings at home, so I just decided to color very detailed coloring books instead. Millie Marotta’s books have become a favorite of mine for this purpose.

Interesting facts about you.

I was a professional swimmer for over 10 years, but fear swimming in lakes or seas when I do not see the bottom. I love animals. I have just two cats at home, but I plan to have a cat shelter when I am older (at least 50 years old). Also, I have volunteered at Kanchanaburi Safari Park (Thailand) wild cats’ shelter, and for a few weeks, I was working/playing with young and old tigers and lions.

What is your favorite place in the world? Why?

My home – Lithuania. I love how comfortable, friendly, and clean this country is, and most of my loved ones are here.

When it comes to overseas destinations, Japan stands out. My three-week stay there left an indelible impression. One day, I hope to revisit it with my entire family.

And the last one – could you share any advice for those who want to start their career in the telematics industry?

Just try it! Only by experiencing this interesting and demanding industry can you truly determine if it’s the right fit for you – most likely, it will be :).