Aleksi Vetoniemi
Berlin
Summary
Results-oriented manufacturing executive with over 13 years of experience in high-volume automotive and industrial production. Proven track record of leadership at industry giants like Tesla and Valmet Automotive, specializing in battery production, drive units, and plant management. Expert in Lean operations, continuous improvement, and scaling production systems. Currently serving as Global Director of Production at STARK.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Global Director Production
STARK
09.2025 - Current
- Building global manufacturing operations, defining strategic direction for production scalability, and efficiency.
- Lead cross-functional teams to optimize system performance and commercial operations across multiple sites.
- Creating a blueprint that can be scaled to high volumes quickly.
- Developing new equipment to fulfill new needs that have not been needed in the European production environment.
Senior Manager, Drive Unit & Battery
TESLA
Berlin
06.2024 - 09.2025
- Managed critical manufacturing operations for battery and drive unit production at Giga Berlin. Overall, the team size is 700.
- Led large-scale shop floor operations, focusing on mass production targets, systems engineering, and continuous improvement protocols.
- Implemented Lean operations strategies to enhance throughput and reduce downtime in a high-pressure environment.
- Mentored production managers, and developed cross-functional leadership frameworks.
- Developed the drive unit at the Berlin site to be a global benchmark at Tesla.
Senior Manager, Battery
TESLA
Berlin
08.2022 - 06.2024
- Led the production ramp-up for the Berlin-made battery pack.
- Created efficient processes from scratch to meet ambitious production targets.
- I worked closely with engineering to improve product design for high-volume production.
- Solved technical downtime issues on the line with engineering to improve OEE.
- Led large-scale shop floor operations, focusing on mass production targets, systems engineering, and continuous improvement protocols.
Production Director
VALMET AUTOMOTIVE
Salo
05.2019 - 08.2022
- Rapidly promoted through five roles of increasing responsibility over five years, both in Uusikaupunki and Salo.
- Directed total plant management and manufacturing operations.
- Started as a brownfield project, and from 2019 to 2022, we managed to make nearly 100% above the budgeted EBITDA, being the most profitable section at Valmet Automotive.
- The team grew from 0 to nearly 1,000 people, covering the following departments: production, manufacturing engineering, maintenance, and SCM.
- I had the following roles at Valmet Automotive Salo: Production Director, Senior Production Manager, Production, and Maintenance.
Quality and Process Engineering Manager
VALMET AUTOMOTIVE
Uusikaupunki
10.2017 - 05.2019
- Quality is responsible for ramping up the production of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class W177 model in the paint shop.
- As a process engineering manager, I managed to save millions in waste treatment in the paint shop.
- Reduced hours per vehicle used in the paint shop by improving methods, and balancing work content.
Quality Engineer
JAAKKOO-TAARA OY
08.2012 - 10.2017
- Established foundational quality control processes and led continuous improvement projects (Kaizen/Lean).
Education
Master's degree - Electronic Productization
University of Turku (Turun yliopisto)
Skills
- Plant Management
- Mass Production
- Floor Management
- Commercial Operation
- Business Strategy
- Business Development
- Systems Engineering
- Operations Management
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Resource Planning
- Lean Manufacturing
- Continuous Improvement
- Analytical Skills
- Quality Management
Personal Information
Title: Global Director Production | Manufacturing Executive
Languages
Finnish
Native
Native
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Timeline
Global Director Production
STARK
09.2025 - Current
Senior Manager, Drive Unit & Battery
TESLA
06.2024 - 09.2025
Senior Manager, Battery
TESLA
08.2022 - 06.2024
Production Director
VALMET AUTOMOTIVE
05.2019 - 08.2022
Quality and Process Engineering Manager
VALMET AUTOMOTIVE
10.2017 - 05.2019
Quality Engineer
JAAKKOO-TAARA OY
08.2012 - 10.2017
Master's degree - Electronic Productization
University of Turku (Turun yliopisto)