Join the family

Operations Manager @ Kukkolaforsen

Kukkolaforsen is located by the Torne River, right on the border between Sweden and Finland. People have lived and worked here for generations, and the place is strongly connected to local traditions – not least the traditional dip net fishing, which is now on its way to becoming a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

Today, we run a year-round tourism and conference destination with hotel rooms, restaurant, sauna world and activities. We welcome guests from Sweden, Finland and internationally, and our business is built on a combination of tradition, experiences and modern tourism. At the same time, we are a family-owned business where the owners are actively involved in daily operations.

This means short decision paths – but also that responsibility is close to the business.

 

Why we are looking for you

We need to become less dependent on individuals and more structured in how we work. Today, a lot works well because we as owners are deeply involved in the details. That has its strengths – but also its limitations.

We are looking for someone who can share the responsibility in daily operations and help us make the business more consistent and sustainable over time. We are growing, and we need to take the next step.

 

What the role looks like in practice

You will be working right in the middle of the operation – where things actually happen. A big part of the role is making sure that the day-to-day work runs smoothly. Planning staffing, prioritising tasks and ensuring that things actually get done – not just talked about. Just as important is follow-up.

Understanding what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to be adjusted. This is where much of the development happens. Some days you will be more hands-on – for example working in the reception or closely with guests and bookings. Other days will focus more on planning ahead, improving routines or fixing things that don’t work as they should. That shift between hands-on work and structure is a core part of the role.

You will quickly notice that much of the business today relies on the owners being involved in details. An important part of your role will be to take over parts of that responsibility and make the operation less dependent on individuals. This is not about changing everything – but about making what we already do work better and more consistently.

You need to be able to:

– solve problems here and now when something doesn’t work

– while at the same time building structure so the same issue doesn’t need to be solved again

A big part of the role is also understanding the bigger picture. How bookings, staffing, guests and finances connect – and what needs to be adjusted.

And perhaps most importantly:

making people work well together in everyday operations – both experienced staff and new team members.

And making sure the different parts of the business connect – from booking to the guest experience on site.

 

About the operation

The pace is often high – but in different ways. We have different types of periods, different types of guests and different demands on the business. You need to be able to switch between them, plan ahead and adapt when conditions change.

 

How we work

We are a family-owned business. That means we are close to the operation, make decisions quickly and help each other where needed. There is no perfect organisation – but there is a strong commitment to making things work. You will work closely with the owners and be a key person in daily operations.

 

This role is not for everyone

This is a job where you need to be present. You will not have a strictly defined role or a predictable 9–5 schedule. You will need to make decisions, prioritise and take responsibility in the moment. And what you do will have a direct impact on the business.

 

We are looking for someone who

Has experience from hotels, tourism or a similar operational environment.

You are structured and self-driven, and you see what needs to be done without being told.

You understand how staffing, bookings and finances work in practice.

This is a role where you sometimes need to stay one step ahead – and sometimes simply solve what is right in front of you.

 

Requirements

– Swedish and English – required

– Finnish – a strong advantage

– Driver’s license (B) – required

 

Employment terms

– Full-time position with flexible working hours based on the operation

– Evenings and weekends are part of the role

– Permanent employment (with probation period)

– Salary according to agreement

 

Interested?

If you recognise yourself in this – get in touch.

Send your CV to johannah@kukkolaforsen.se or give us a call, and we’ll take it from there.

We review applications on an ongoing basis.