When Ulrica Nordemar left her permanent role as HR and Unit Manager in the energy sector, it was not a step away from responsibility, but a step closer to change. In her first role as Executive Interim Manager, she immediately took on a business-critical rassignment at Svenska Retursystem, a key player in sustainable logistics for the grocery trade. The result was a mission defined by clear focus, rapid delivery and strong social impact.

What does Svenska Retursystem do?
«Svenska Retursystem is a company that enables a circular logistics flow for the Sweden's grocery sector. Since its founding in 2001, they have built a system where food producers, wholesalers, and stores use reusable plastic crates and pallets instead of disposable packaging. It's an impressive operation – they handle over 100 million crate transports each year and deliver to actors such as ICA, Coop, Axfood, Martin & Servera, and thousands of other suppliers.»

What was your assignment about?
«I was engaged as an interim HR Specialist with a clear initial goal: to secure a large number of recruitments ahead of the summer. It was about quickly understanding what skills were needed, how the business operated – and delivering immediately. The organization has multiple sites and many unionized employees, so it was crucial to orient myself quickly and make things happen. The assignment later expanded to include structural issues, processes, and a complex personnel case, where I led the investigation.»

What sparked your interest in working as an interim manager?
“The organization gains access to a person with experience and results-focus who can start immediately without the commitments a permanent hire entail. Interim Management works particularly well during periods of change, driving projects, or bridging between permanent roles while simultaneously improving efficiency. It’s also valuable when an organization isn’t entirely sure what it needs and wants to evaluate before making long-term decisions. An interim professional comes in with fresh eyes and isn’t afraid to ask uncomfortable questions.”

What are the benefits for a company of engaging an interim manager?
«The organization gains access to a person with experience and a focus on results who can start immediately – without the obligations that a permanent employment entails. Interim management works particularly well in periods of change, in project implementation, or as a bridge between permanent roles – while also improving efficiency. It is also valuable when an organization does not quite know what it needs and wants to evaluate before making long-term decisions. An interim manager comes in with fresh eyes and is not afraid to ask the uncomfortable questions.»

What are the benefits of your role as an interim manager?“I am passionate about developing, changing, and streamlining. It’s incredibly rewarding to move between industries and companies and contribute results directly. I appreciate not having too much administrative routines and I don’t need to consider internal politics, instead focusing on the task at hand. A colleague at Svenska Retursystem said that I ‘came in and got things done’ – that’s exactly how it should be. You go straight for the goal.”

How do you view leadership in times of change?“The most important thing is to communicate clearly – where are we, where are we going, and why. It must be transparent, honest, and concrete. Everyone in the organization should understand what it means for them individually. You need to be approachable and use the right communication channels depending on the audience. Leadership in change requires both courage and empathy.”

What is your next step?
“I’m now starting a new interim assignment as HR Director at an energy company. There I will build the entire HR and recruitment function from the ground up – a challenge I’m really looking forward to.”