Driving change in and outside of Flex walls

We’re dedicated to sharing the stories of our colleagues who push boundaries to create the extraordinary throughout their careers at Flex. In this installment, you’ll get an inside look at a career in logistics and customer relationship management, including how a Flex employee has harnessed those skills to make a meaningful difference and help those in need.

Meet Tetyana Buhera, who works at our Cork, Ireland site as a Director, Global Account Management in Global Services and Solutions (GSS), a function dedicated to value-added fulfillment and circular economy solutions. Originally from Boryslav, Ukraine, Tetyana’s career path was shaped by her focus on continuous learning and growth, both professionally and personally. With roots in an English teaching career, Tetyana now challenges herself in a role that emphasizes nurturing customer relationships and driving business performance. Her passion for her job goes beyond Flex’s walls as she is an active volunteer, leading record-breaking aid initiatives to support communities in Ukraine from Ireland.

Tell us about your career journey at Flex.

I started at Flex as a Transportation Manager in Mukachevo, Ukraine where we developed and implemented the processes needed for a high-performing logistics department.

One example of the kind of work we did was creating and integrating a web-based transportation ordering tool, which considerably shortened ordering and approval time and resulted in a 15% reduction of site transportation costs.

Our work allowed me to advance to a regional transportation role, where I focused on strategic supplier management, procurement and the implementation of best practices across EMEA. Alongside my Global Logistics peers from Americas and Asia, I was able to deliver exciting solutions and tools that improved cost recovery workflows and more.

How did you end up moving into a different function in a different country?

In 2014, I transferred to Global Services and Solutions as a senior manager of Logistics Solutions, which involved a lot of time with customers and traveling. Because of this, my family made the decision to move to Cork, Ireland in 2016 to be near the Global Services and Solutions hub. I eventually became Head of Logistics Solutions, working on all customer requests for quotes involving logistics and supporting 28 Global Services and Solutions facilities globally.

In 2021, I decided to progress further and build on my skills and expertise in logistics to grow my career further as a Director of Global Account Management. As an account manager, I oversee all aspects of the customer relationship, including initial contact to ongoing communication to final resolution, a contract signature. One of the most rewarding parts is cultivating long-term relationships with customers globally and in multiple industries to create new business opportunities.

What has been critical to your career success?

Developing a network of professionals who trust and work well together requires a commitment to meaningful conversations and listening to what people have to say. I’m lucky to have mentors and managers who’ve supported my career growth.

Specific to logistics, I would add that adaptability to change is an important trait one needs to succeed. A career in logistics is a two-way street. You need to communicate with partners and respond quickly to changes.

Great account managers avoid getting trapped in the weeds or only prioritizing tactical execution. Instead, they remain focused on the bigger picture and meaningfully invest in customer relationships. That’s why I love my role. It feeds my constant curiosity, empathy and drive to win.

Tell us a bit about your passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion and how you reflect that passion at Flex.

I come from a traditional and conservative male-dominated culture. Throughout my life, I’ve tried to shift this perception and prove that women can take charge of their careers.

I was honored to participate in the SheLeads program at Flex, an accelerated development program for diverse female leaders. As part of SheLeads, I worked on developing a sponsorship initiative for women with colleagues from Brazil, Singapore, India and the U.S.

Sponsorship is critical for women, as advocating for someone when they’re not in the room is influential to a person’s career trajectory. I’ve had the privilege of having many sponsors at Flex over the years, which helps close the gender gap in managerial and leadership roles and I look forward to paying it forward and mentoring other women in the future.

You also have a deep passion for community volunteerism. Can you tell us about the amazing work you’ve done to support the people in Ukraine?

In 2014, at the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian War, I was inspired by my friends at home and pulled together a campaign to raise funds to support the Ukrainian community. We had a network of people we could reach out to ask for help, and we did everything we could to provide soldiers and their families the support needed. Since then, volunteering has become my second nature.

During the 2022 Ukraine invasion, I tapped into my logistics skillset and network on social media to start a humanitarian aid transport campaign from Ireland to Ukraine.

After collecting parcels at my house, we eventually moved to a warehouse where everything was stored and then coordinated for shipping into trucks before departing for Ukraine. It was truly amazing to see many people and companies get together to provide much-needed relief to the Ukrainian people.

Within days of the Russian invasion, a group of Ukrainian doctors in the Irish healthcare system established Medical Help Ukraine, a campaign designed to deliver medical aid from Ireland to Ukraine. As part of this work, in 2022, several volunteers and I sent several trucks of donated food, medical supplies and hygiene products totaling over €1 million of aid from the Rosslare Port in Ireland to Ukraine. More than 25 trucks reached Ukraine in the Spring of 2022.

And so far, I’ve supported the transport of 75 trucks to Ukraine. The feeling was incredible – I could put my logistics skills and industry network to good use and support those in Ukraine. The efforts are still ongoing. We send 1-2 trucks every month, focusing on the critical and vital supplies that is needed in Ukraine.

In March 2022, in collaboration with the Cork City Council we also arranged a charity concert in the Cork City Hall that raised over 10,000 euros. It was, by coincidence, the first concert to be held there since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. I attended as a representative of the Ukrainian community, addressing the City Council, participants and the guests on Ukrainian culture and how important the community support in Cork means to displaced Ukrainians.