At Hardford, our employees make the difference! Here, you can read interviews with some of them and get an insight into what it's like to work with us. Discover their experiences, career journeys, and what makes Hardford an exciting workplace.
Project Manager
Has been working at Hardford since the fall of 2011— almost 14 years now!
Broadly speaking, my role is about making sure the customer's vision for a product becomes a reality—and everything in between. We source packaging, consult with our colleagues who are experts in production to assess feasibility, collaborate with chemists on formulations, and do a lot of calculations to provide our sales team with cost estimates. The role also involves keeping track of everything related to our customers and their products, as well as having a general understanding of packaging and production possibilities.
I have, for a short period, worked as a Product Manager for our own brands.
That we create so many amazing and great products! It's really fun and rewarding to be involved from start to finish—it's a cliché, you might think, but it's true. The collaboration with our customers is also engaging, and everyone is different, which brings positive energy.
That no day is the same, and of course, my colleagues! We have a great team, and there is a lot of room for open communication. There is investment and progress, and the entrepreneurial spirit is in our DNA.
Most days are good days, but when you see "your" products in stores, it makes you extra proud and happy. And of course, it's especially fun when you receive positive feedback from customers.
Because it’s a fun company, we are growing and have big ambitions. But you need to be prepared to roll up your sleeves and handle stress, as there are certain periods when there is a lot to do.
Machine operator / line manager on the nail polish line.
I am in my 23rd year at Hardford.
As a line responsible machine operator on the nail polish line, I play a very important role in ensuring smooth production and that the products maintain high quality. I make sure the line is running, adjust settings when needed, and ensure production speed is maintained. If the machine starts malfunctioning or if technical issues arise, I’m the one who identifies and solves the problems to avoid downtime. I also collaborate with others in my team to ensure everything runs smoothly—teamwork is key to a productive day.
At the beginning of my career at Hardford, I also worked as a warehouse worker at the factory. Working as a warehouse worker gave me a lot of valuable understanding of the entire production chain, which has been a great advantage in my current role as a line responsible machine operator.
I am driven by working with high-quality products that make a difference for consumers. As the line responsible machine operator, I feel a strong commitment to ensuring that every product is flawless. I also enjoy the problem-solving aspect of my work, where I get to challenge myself and find solutions to technical issues to keep production running smoothly without interruptions. Additionally, teamwork is something I highly value, as it creates a great work environment and allows us to achieve our goals together.
I really enjoy working at Hardford because I get to work with varied and challenging tasks where I can use my technical skills to solve problems. I enjoy working in a close-knit team where we all strive towards the same goals and support each other.
A memory from a great day at work was a day when I received really good feedback from my manager after exceeding production goals and meeting all quality standards. It felt great to know that my work was truly appreciated.
I think you should apply to this company not only because it offers an exciting and challenging job, but also because the company provides a fantastic work environment where everyone is valued. Here, you have the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally, while working with products that make a difference for people. The company has a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, which makes you feel like you're part of something that truly has a positive impact. Additionally, there are great career opportunities for those who want to grow within the company.
CEO & Plant Manager
I have worked at Hardford for 2 years.
I have overall responsibility for the entire operation. Practically, I lead the work on our long-term strategy to ensure that we achieve our long-term goals together. At the same time, together with the management team, I coordinate daily operations to meet our customers' expectations and ensure that our organization has the right conditions for success.
Yes, I started as a Plant Manager and have a background in production and supply chain. Since the majority of our operations are based in Linköping, it was a natural step for me to take on the overall responsibility as CEO. I continue to dedicate most of my time to developing production and supply chain, where my core expertise lies.
Developing the business to new levels that may initially seem ambitious, but with hard work, clear structure, and competent people, is achievable.
Primarily, it's our culture, shaped by competent and driven people, fast and simple decision-making processes, and the way we support each other in our daily work. We collaborate on whatever the business requires. It's also incredibly fun to work with fast-moving consumer goods that everyone can relate to, where the innovation process is short. Often, it's less than a year from customer request to the finished product being available in stores.
Most days at Hardford are really great, but it's especially exciting when we manage to combine flexibility with efficiency through smart technical solutions and new working methods. The fact that we work together, often under time pressure, makes it even more thrilling.
Here, you get the opportunity to make an impact and truly make a difference.
Business Director
I have worked at Hardford for 25 amazing years.
I am responsible for Hardford's sales, together with the sales team. My role includes coaching and developing our sales department, but I also have operational responsibility for my own customer portfolio.
We seek out new customers, start and manage projects with existing customers, and stay updated on what’s happening with our strategic customer channels.
I started as a salesperson with the goal of finding new customers.
The continuous improvements that involve change. Despite many years in the same position, I learn new things every day. The industry is fast-paced, and the product lifespan is relatively short, so there are always opportunities for new business and product improvements.
We are a flat, dynamic organization that works in teams. This creates great energy and delivers excellent results for our customers.
When you've worked on a large development project that requires significant investments and a technically challenging production process, seeing the first products filled in the machine and turn out exactly as our customer desired is pure happiness.
We offer a workplace with high expertise in cosmetic product development and production. We are always striving for improvements, which keeps us at the forefront, regardless of the position one holds. The company is educational and developmental, creating opportunities for new positions within Hardford.