Journey from a manufacturing department to a start-up company: "There will be growth where you can't see the future." - Product Manager, Tsujimura

Hello, I am Sato (a.k.a. Akotis) from Umitron.

Umitron goes by the recruitment slogan of "One genius than 100" .

The computerization of aquaculture is considered an unprecedented field even for start-up companies around the world. In order for Umitron to realize sustainable aquaculture as a front runner, it goes without saying that our team players have to be equipped with passionate for our mission. On top of that, it is also crucial that we recruit people who have intense curiosity in peripheral fields beyond one's expertise. An individual who can learn new values and technologies, take ownership in the face of challenging tasks, respect their peers and create a system to execute projects independently and organically in a compact team.

In this series, we will introduce members of Umitron in an interview format and present the abstract slogan - "One genius than 100", as a realistic person among us.

Kanetaka Tsujimura (a.k.a. Kanegon)
Product Manager / Hardware Engineer
After graduating from Tohoku University, Tsujimura was in the manufacturing department of a major parts manufacturing company, he was in-charge of the production line of automobile, ship and medical equipment parts. He engaged in a wide range of operations in the manufacturing process, including the launch of an automatic production line, yield improvement, optimization of production personnel, and the development of new products, and he also served as a leader in the project of reducing manufacturing cost for main products at the head office factory. At Umitron, he is mainly responsible for mass production processes such as selection of manufacturer, manufacturing management, supplier management, and logistics management. His favorite seafood is straw fire seared bonito.

Graduate school: Metal research was everything​

Sato：Our very first interviewee for this series is someone who had only been onboard for 3 months - Kanegon. I believe your job switch from a major manufacturing company to a start-up is quite a rare career path, so please share with us your decision-making process for this career switch and the secret of becoming an active contributing player in mere 3 months? I'd like to go back in time and know more about your roots too. What kind of research did you do in university?

Tsujimura：I researched on metals, it is also commonly known as "material science". Specifically, I researched on combining different elements to create copper alloys that had never been used before. I chose this field of study because I was interested in figuring things out from its basic form instead of researching for an immediate application. As a child, I have always been the type that would be curious to find out the causes behind a certain phenomenon I've observed. I was immersed in research because it was fun to actually create something with my hands, and then work on the cycle to improve upon the results. 

Production line management at parts manufacturing

Sato：You were so absorbed in researching, how was job-searching like?

Tsujimura：At that time, my research on metal was really important to me so my focus was to find a company where I can work on material research. There were job recommendations in my faculty and coincidentally, there was a parts manufacturer that does material research. After an interview with that company, I was offered a job. So it was the only company I applied for an interview.

Sato：I guess the job searching process for science graduates at that time is rather unique. What was your role in that company and what kind of parts were you in-charge of?

Tsujimura：The company dealt with springs, and the parts that I was in-charge of was a part known as 'bellows'. In layman terms, it is the metal bellows mainly used in the brakes of automobiles. I worked at that company for about 4 years but the first 6 months there was a training period spent on-site, in the production line. After that, I was assigned to the manufacturing department and my job was titled 'Manufacturing Technology'. My main duty was the management of the production line in the factory. I worked on improvement measures to increase production yield and efficiency so as not to have defective products, and I also did equipment maintenance. 

Sato：…Hmm? You weren't involved in material science?

Tsujimura：I had research & development listed as my preferred department but that didn't come true... "What? But why?!" was my initial reaction when I was assigned to the manufacturing department and I felt quite depressed. Ultimately, as I was working in the department, I started to enjoy it and felt my sense of purpose in it.

Sense of purpose felt at the factory site

Sato：Can you elaborate on that?

Tsujimura：One example was when my trial and error process was helpful. For example, during production trial of a new product on the production line, the product would rarely be made in the shape or characteristics according to plan. However, for an actual mass production, the product has to be consistent. We made samples desperately and did statistical analysis of the created samples and results. Next, we studied the data to discover the manufacturing criterias required to yield a stable outcome, then we repeat the process of trial and error. It takes a minimum of 6 months from production trial till mass production but it's extremely satisfying to have successfully build a consistent and efficient production line.

Furthermore, when we solve problems at the site, we receive gratitude and trust from the colleagues and it was a pure feeling of bliss. Everyone at the factory site is dedicated to making good products. At site, we face all sorts of trouble everyday but we worked the hardest we could to resolve them. When I did researches, it was a similar kind of thinking process too so I think I was good at it.

Sato：I see. Even though you weren't assign to your preferred department, it was enjoyable for you once you started working on it and you start to love it. This experience will be very useful for launching mass production at Umitron. What made you think about changing jobs?

Problem solving at the manufacturing site by optimizing the entire supply chain

Tsujimura：I first thought about a change of job during the spring of my fourth year at work. I started to work on my career because I'm worried that if I continued working at the same company, my skills and experience would become too specialized for the company. During my time there, I have always been aware of issues in the supply chain, such as cost awareness and the coordination between departments, which occur in the process from manufacturing to sales. Being part of a manufacturing department, there was nothing that could be done even if I'm aware of the issues. This time, rather than a part of manufacturing, I want to take on a bird's eye view of the entire supply chain, and challenge myself to optimize the manufacturing process.

Sato：What kind of company did you look for during your job switch?

Tsujimura：At first, I was looking for consulting firm that supports manufacturing company and a position called "cost planning" among manufacturers. But the truth is - I was constantly worried if other companies would need me, I was uncertain if my skills were useful for them. "Will this job change help increase my market value?" I thought.

Sato： I understand that feeling! I had the same anxiety when I first switched job from a megabank to a venture. With so much knowledge and experience specialized in banking, I thought that would not work out in other companies. Why did you decide to include startups as a career choice?

Career choice to increase market value

Tsujimura：Initially, I didn't give a single thought about joining a startup until I met someone who quit from a major manufacturer to join a startup because of a similar sense of issues and discomfort. "Why don't you increase your market value in a startup?" he said. That moment, he really hit the bull's eye on the uncertainty I felt.

At that time, interviews I had with consulting firms and manufacturing company gave me the impression that my skills were heavily tested. Even if I was hired as a fit for my skills, I will only be doing what I could do, so I thought such a job change would not increase my market value. I realized that there might be something that could add to my market value by joining a startup, prompting me to expand my options.

Sato：So that was when you start being interested in startups. What about Umitron piqued your interest to apply?

"The things we make can change the world."

Tsujimura：First, it was an attractive opportunity to take charge of building the supply chain from scratch with my own hands by assuming the top position in the supply chain management of Umitron. Because the company is small-scale, I can oversee everything on my own and I think that is a growing opportunity not available in other organizations.

Secondly, I could be involved in the crucial industry of aquaculture and create something that is really useful for the users. It's a really simple thought but it's my desire as a manufacturer to create something useful. During my meetings with Umitron, a reflection by a certain producer was shared with me, "I want to improve our daily operation in the farm and the methods of fish rearing but I have no idea how to make improvement. Please find a way and teach me." Instead of creating a product that the company wants to sell, I felt that the mindset of "meeting the producers face-to-face, finding their problems, and resolve it using the products we made" resonated with my sense of purpose.

I had a conversation with a hardware engineer who joined Umitron from a major manufacturer, we talked about making things until we almost missed the last train, and we had a mutual understanding: "The world may change depending on what we make!"

"There will be growth where you can't see the future." - From anxiety to excitement

Sato：Look at that passion for manufacturing! Your mindset is wonderful too. When you received the offer, were you uncertain? In my case, the decision to join a startup was a very exciting but courageous choice to make!

Tsujimura：I was really worried. I received an offer from a consulting firm too so I was in a dilemma. In a startup, I can never foresee what is going to happen, and that made me feel anxious. Although I had a rough idea about the position for supply chain management, I had no idea what kind of business I would be doing, and I didn't know what product could be done in the future.

Ultimately, I thought "if I can't see what is going to happen, that means there will be constant challenge for me to grow constantly = increase in my market value!" In Umitron, we are allowed to challenge the unknown as long as we have the drive to go for it. It's not an understatement to say that it is Umitron's stance that want us to do more. I felt uncertain in the beginning but when I agreed to the offer, I was also really excited about the unknown future.

Sato：Wow, your mindset is very much like a startup! But in the sense of being excited about exploring the unknown, it might not be that different from your researching days.

Activities and sense of purpose after joining Umitron

Sato：You accepted Umitron's offer with that much excitement and officially joined Umitron from September 2019. Please explain briefly what kind of work you actually do at Umitron.

Tsujimura：I'm mainly involved in everything related to the mass production process of UMITRON CELL. Parts procurement from each supplier, production, delivery, quality control, launch of production line and troubleshooting, delivery of finished products and inventory management. In other words, on top of supply chain management, my duty includes negotiating with suppliers to reduce costs and increase efficiency, and finding new suppliers. I also act as a project manager who communicates with both the design and business sides.

Furthermore, we actually travel to the sites and interview the producers. If there were any problem, we clarify the cause and reflect it to the production line for improvement. If it's just a minor malfunction, I can do minor repairs on site.

Sato：When do you feel the most fun?

Tsujimura：Instead of being told what to do, I take the ownership to think and produce results on my own. I find this cycle really enjoyable! And it happens frequently too! "There will be improvement if I do this!" I would often think so and act accordingly. On top of that, it's exciting to see the potential for improvement. As a result, I'm always thinking about "I can improve on the operations!" and that got my hands full with things I want to improve on! It was really fulfilling!

Sato：I understand! There are so many things that we can improve on! But you always handle it well and it seems like the production side is running smoothly. In the short period of 3 months, not only did you manage to catch up, you were responsible for supply chain management despite having no prior experience for it. Please share with us your secret and the know-how you had.

Tsujimura：I think that the ability to organize things is important in supply chain management, and I think I've used those skills effectively. First, input the information, organize those data and structure it. I'd think about the role of each member, their position and their motivations, then organize their task accordingly. And actions were taken based on all of the above factors.

But I was not good at it from the beginning. Through trial and error in my previous workplace, I was able to hone my strategic organizational skills. For example, when we had to find out the reason behind defective products, someone would suggest a plausible cause and we'd take action to resolve a part of these causes. However, that often doesn't lead us to the true solution.

There is an analyzing tool known as a 'fault tree analysis' that we use. In simple terms, here's how it works. After organizing the entire information, all possible causes of defective products are identified, classified into cases for each cause, prioritized and actions were taken. This was done repeatedly in my previous job. Even though I had no prior experience with supply chain management, I could apply this idea and create solutions.

Sato：I see, I've learnt something... Kanegon, you are so passionate in manufacturing, did you have any insight when you went on a business trip to the aquaculture sites?

Tsujimura：There's a producer who said "Let's make great things together!". He has been cooperating with our project and his words stuck with me. His words really heighten my motivation. Being able to see the face of the person using the product is very inspiring even while working on the product manufacturing process.

Future challenges for Tsujimura: "To create products with the customers' real needs in mind"

Sato：We've looked back at your university life and your previous job experience, and also talked about your time with Umitron thus far. Now, let's talk about your thoughts about your future Umitron career, are there anything you'd like to challenge?

Tsujimura：I'd like to take on the challenge to develop overseas factories and the planning of manufacturing processes. Despite being there for a business trip, Shenzhen was quite exciting and interesting. I was really amazed by their level of manufacturing quality. And I'm also interested in design! I love manufacturing so I'd like to take on the challenge of designing products from the customers' perspectives and create something that these producers really need.

Sato：Eh?! Kanegon, you can design too!

Tsujimura：No, I can't lol. In my previous job, I designed part of the jig for one of the factory machines and that was all lol. But in Umitron, if I say I want to challenge something, it seems like I'd be given the chance. Even if it's not the complete process of designing from 1 to 10, perhaps I can do just the conceptual design and have someone else in-charge of the actual design. I think it's interesting to dish out an idea and let it materialize.

Sato：Great idea! Let's design a product and create it for the future of aquaculture farms! Through the conversation we had, I think I have came to understand how you got accustomed to Umitron and enjoyed yourself at work in such a short time. Thank you so much for your time!

Tsujimura：Like myself, many people may feel uncomfortable with their current situation, but are still worried about whether they will be accepted or needed by other companies. But as I took the leap of faith, I stopped thinking about that. I didn't have chance to give a second thought about failure or incompetency, and when I realised it, I was already doing my best. Now that I think about it, those uncertainties I felt during the job switch didn't matter that much. I hope our conversation today can be a reference for someone looking for a career switch.

Lastly, we'd like to have other members of Umitron talk about the points of a "genius" that Tsujimura displayed.

・He grasps a situation at the speed of light. Not only could he quickly grasp the big picture of a situation, he balanced both speed and quality by paying close attention to the details too. When it comes to practical operations, he's very good at drawing the line. He's an indispensable talent for Umitron as we are speed-oriented.

・While we have many members driven by curiosity, he would follow-up on matters so seamlessly it's almost as if he had already expected it in advance. Thanks to him, we can concentrate on product design with an ease of mind, and the development speed in the company has indeed risen. Although he has a gentle vibe, he can always maintain the same expression and make a calm judgment in any tough situation. He's really reliable.

・IoT products that operates autonomously in the offshore environment faces many technical challenges to overcome due to the harsh environment and required specifications. He understands the logic of both seemingly conflicting interests: startups who want to evolve their products with agility and speed; and suppliers who want to produce high-quality products in a stable manner. He makes these difficult decisions everyday. Although these are hard things for everyone, he overcame them with ease and I respect him as a professional with strong cores.

For software engineers and business related job-seekers, career choice in a startup is no longer uncommon. In the near future, manufacturing engineers selecting a startup for their next career may become a trend.

We are hiring!

Position List / UMITRON PTE. LTD.