The Woman Behind Fertiliser Distribution Innovation and Marching Band Achievements

Behind the increasingly integrated fertiliser distribution system and the various achievements of young people in Bontang City, there are many figures who work far from the spotlight. One such figure is Revita Pratiwi, an employee of PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (Pupuk Kaltim), who over the past 17 years has been involved in various areas of contribution, from developing the fertiliser distribution system to coaching the younger generation through the Pupuk Kaltim Marching Band.

The role that Revita plays is not always visible to the public. Most of her work takes place behind the scenes, managing coordination, bridging communication, organising resources, and ensuring that various parties can work towards the same goal. ‘For me, the supportive work environment at Pupuk Kaltim is a privilege that allows me to continue developing beyond my comfort zone,’ she said. ‘Management support and team solidarity give me the confidence to keep learning, explore new challenges, and take on roles in various contribution spaces.’

Revita’s career journey at Pupuk Kaltim began in 2008 as a staff member in the Laboratory Department. This work environment built a strong foundation in precision, discipline, and sensitivity to data accuracy, skills that later became provisions when she undertook various strategic roles within the company. One important point in her career journey occurred in 2016 when she was trusted to join the team developing the Distribution Planning and Control System (DPCS). This system is a dashboard designed to visualise fertiliser stock conditions in various regions so that the company can monitor distribution and respond to fertiliser needs more quickly.

Although she came from a laboratory background, Revita became part of the team that developed the system. She was involved in data management, monitoring and reporting, budget management, resource coordination, and communication with various external parties. In the process, she also participated in preparing the application mockup and system development, a new experience that expanded her competencies beyond the field she had been working in. ‘Fertiliser distribution turned out to be very complex, like a spider’s web, because it involves many divisions and a very extensive distribution network,’ she said. ‘For me, who was used to dealing with sodium chloride, this was truly a new challenge. But Alhamdulillah, this programme was completed because the whole team supported each other.’

The development of DPCS then became one of Pupuk Kaltim’s important innovations in supporting more targeted and responsive fertiliser distribution. The innovation achieved a Gold predicate at the International Convention on QC Circle held in Japan in 2019. This success led Revita to become involved again in the development of DPCS at the holding level, PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero), in 2020. With a distribution scope involving various fertiliser subsidiaries throughout Indonesia, the project presented more complex challenges than before. In developing the system at the national level, Revita was trusted as a Project Management Officer (PMO). Her role was to coordinate various project needs, bridge cross-team communication, and ensure that the necessary resources could proceed according to plan.

Now DPCS is an important part of the national fertiliser distribution digital transformation. The system enables monitoring of fertiliser movement from the factory to kiosks, stock monitoring in various regions, tracking of distribution ships, and real-time distribution surveillance through a Command Center. For her contribution to the development of this digital system, Revita received the Women in Digital Technology award from Pupuk Indonesia in 2022. However, her role as a connector of various elements is not only carried out in the work environment.

Outside her professional activities, Revita is also active in the Pupuk Kaltim Marching Band (MBPKT), a company-sponsored marching band group that has produced various achievements at national and international levels. Founded in 1987, MBPKT currently has around 100 core players and approximately 300 cadet members drawn from junior and senior high school students in Bontang City. This programme is part of youth development efforts run by the company through the cultivation of talent, character, and self-confidence. In the organisation, Revita serves as secretary. Her role is not limited to administration but also acts as a bridge between the board, coaches, members, and parents, helping to ensure that various coaching programmes and organisational activities run harmoniously.

‘For me, MBPKT is not just about music or competition, but also a space for character building and confidence for the youth of Bontang,’ she said. One of her most memorable experiences was when MBPKT had the opportunity to perform at the State Palace in 2013. At that time, besides taking care of various departure needs and coordinating with the Palace, she also actively built communication with the members’ parents. A challenge arose because the intensive training schedule coincided with the school exam period. To address parents’ concerns, Revita, together with other administrators, ensured that members still received academic mentoring so that marching band activities could run in balance with their learning achievements. She also played a similar role when MBPKT participated in various international competitions, involving administrative coordination, communication with organisers, and various technical needs.