Meet our Industry Person of the Week, Erzsébet Pap-Tolstrup, Head of Sourcing Services at HowToRobot.
Q: How did you get started working in your field?
Erzsébet: I started working in sourcing nearly 20 years ago, but my passion for technology began much earlier. I grew up under Russian occupation in Hungary, where girls couldn’t be engineers, and even being left-handed wasn’t allowed. My dad, an engineer and inventor, often took me to the factory, where he taught me about his passion and how to work with robots. I had more tools to play with than dolls, and my curiosity for technology only grew stronger. Though engineering wasn’t considered a proper path for a girl where I grew up, I found my way into the industry through sourcing. From my first job in a factory, I knew I belonged in this world—working closely with engineers, understanding technology, and ensuring they had the right solutions. One of my earliest and most exciting projects was sourcing painting robots—back then, it was incredible that they could even paint a Van Gogh on Nokia mobile covers. Hard to believe that was 20 years ago! Later, at a paper mill, I deepened my technical expertise, collaborating with teams to optimize processes and explore sustainable solutions. Reducing waste, improving efficiency, and finding ways to minimise environmental impact through technology became some of the most rewarding aspects of my work. Then came automation at this factory—an exciting yet challenging journey full of U-turns and lessons. When we started working with automation, it was a rough ride, full of trial and error, and we had to rethink our approach many times. Over my 13 years there, I gained invaluable experience in implementing new technologies and overcoming roadblocks. During this journey, I learned how to troubleshoot a several-ton robot, a space-station-like foil wrapper, and play around with AGVs. Today, I apply those lessons to help clients navigate their own automation journeys. Sourcing has always been more than just procurement for me—it’s about innovation, efficiency, and making an impact.
Q: What do you love the most about your job? What are you most proud of?
Erzsébet: What I love most about my job is that I can take everything I learned during my years in factories and use it to benefit our clients. Having been through the challenges of automation firsthand, I now help others navigate their journey more smoothly, avoiding the pitfalls we faced back then. I also love the variety—working on hundreds of projects each year and continuously expanding our supplier network to ensure we can support all kinds of automation needs. No two projects are the same, and that keeps things exciting. Working closely with our clients as part of their team and helping them succeed is incredibly rewarding. Seeing their progress and knowing that we played a role in making their automation journey smoother gives a real sense of purpose. As an independent party in automation sourcing, I enjoy working closely with both buyers and suppliers, bridging the gap between them. Finding the right match is more than just a transaction; it’s about aligning needs, expectations, and capabilities to create real, long-term value. Helping both sides meet halfway and seeing successful collaborations come to life is something I’m truly proud of.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering this line of work or new to the field?
Erzsébet: Ayrton Senna once said: “No matter what your dream is, you have to dedicate yourself entirely to it.” My advice to anyone considering this field is simple—never give up on your dream and always find a way to pursue it. Sourcing and automation are constantly evolving, so being open and curious is key. Seek out others in the industry, connect with people who share your passion, and learn from their experiences. The more you engage, the more opportunities will come your way. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Challenges will come, but that’s where the best learning happens. Stay persistent, keep asking questions, and trust that dedication and curiosity will take you far in this field.
Q: Can you talk about a project you recently worked on?
Erzsébet: I work on so many projects that it’s hard to highlight just one. My daily work is all about keeping things moving in the right direction—finding the best solution providers for our clients and ensuring a good fit for their automation needs. Depending on the client’s team structure, my role can vary. Sometimes, I take the lead in defining the sourcing strategy and driving the process, while other times, I support their team from the background, providing guidance and expertise as needed. No matter the approach, every day is filled with great discussions with brilliant people and cutting-edge technology. The most rewarding part is seeing how collaboration, strategy, and innovation come together to create real impact.
Connect with Erzsébet on LinkedIn.
THANK YOU, ERZSÉBET! WE LOOK FORWARD TO KEEPING UP WITH YOU THROUGH THE #PUMPTALK COMMUNITY!
