From site floor to Site Manager
Kristian Guldsmed (middle) joined Plant Supervision in the spring of 2022. He was supposed to stay for 14 days, now it’s been 3,5 years.
From local beginnings to global projects
Before Plant Supervision, Kristian worked with refineries, power plants and shipyards, doing maintenance and mechanical installation work mostly across Northern Europe and Greenland. He enjoyed the technical work but felt limited by the local scope: less variety and fewer opportunities.
“I liked the hands-on work,” Kristian recalls, “but I felt there was only so much room to grow if I kept doing the same kind of projects in the same places.”
The right job offer at the right time
When he was contacted by one of the Plant Supervision’s Project Managers, Kristian saw the chance to expand his skillset and take his career to the next level. For some time, he had believed that he might possess leadership potential. He also wanted to see more of the world and to test himself in different environments. When Plant Supervision offered him a position on a project abroad, he said yes, even though it meant being away for longer periods at a time.
Kristian quickly proved himself to be a versatile and skilled technician, and it wasn’t long before he traded the site floor for managerial positions. He is currently working as Site Manager and Mechanical Lead at a biomass conversion on a pulp factory site in Portugal, managing teams and ensuring progress.
Jakob Drews, who recruited him, quickly noticed Kristian’s strengths:
“It didn’t take long to see Kristian’s potential. His ‘I’ll fix it’ mindset, composure under pressure, and solid reporting skills were what convinced us he was ready to take on the role of Site Manager.”
See examples of how we’ve supported projects around the world – click here to read our case studies.
Life then vs. life now
Kristian has been traveling for work since completing his apprenticeship in 2014. Back then, his assignments took him around Scandinavia and Greenland, working with familiar teams and methods, and for shorter periods at a time. Now, he spends months on end in different countries around the world, navigating new cultural norms, varying climate challenges, and remote logistics. It’s demanding, but also deeply rewarding; a transition he admits has expanded his horizon.
When he is now working in a new country, Kristian makes the most of his spare time. In his own words, “Since Plant Supervision provides a car, why not use my downtime to get out and experience what the country has to offer.”
Kristian keeps in touch with family and friends, of course. Towards the end of a project, he sometimes starts to miss home, but after reconnecting and recharging, he quickly feels the urge of the next adventure. “I’ve been chomping at the bit to get back on site” he admits. “It’s a lifestyle that gets you hooked.”
What he loves most
- Opportunities he wouldn’t have at home, working in the same office or workshop.
- Variety: even though it might seem like it on paper, no two projects are the same: different sites, different teams, different customers, different technical demands.
- Learning: he’s picked up leadership expertise, improved his communicative skills, and how to make decisions when conditions are unpredictable.
- Exploring the world one project at a time, from sandy deserts to vibrant big cities.
Support from Plant Supervision
From day one, Kristian was paired with a Project Coordinator at Plant Supervision who became his main point of contact for admin, logistics—whatever arises. Plant Supervision handles all administrative tasks (visas, salaries, travel, lodging), ensuring full compliance wherever he works. This gives him peace of mind and lets him concentrate on the job, and time to relax and enjoy himself when he’s off work.
A broader perspective
Although Kristian was used to travelling before, he now has a profound understanding of the differences in methods, work cultures, communication, and the balance between speed and quality. He’s more adaptable, patient and ambitious.
A matter of attitude
For Kristian, it was a matter of being given the chance to fulfill his potential—and Plant Supervision did just that. It wasn’t about years of experience or long lists of merits, but about attitude. Kristian stepped up, showed signs of strong leadership, and Plant Supervision recognized it, opening the door for him to excel. All he had to do was take the leap and do what he does best—and it has already taken him to some truly beautiful places.
Interested in joining our team?
If you have questions about becoming a technician, engineer or supervisor at Plant Supervision, feel free to reach out to:
Niels Møller
Staffing & Recruitment Consultant
nmo@plantsupervision.com
+45 3170 9862
