When I moved to Ireland I sent out a few CVs to various companies to see if there were any opportunities.
I was asked to complete a formal application form, I was interviewed by the engineering manager and then after this my peers met with me to make sure I would click with the team and finally completion of a medical exam secured my job.
I was asked back in and told face to face of the offer by Masonite Ireland.
Describe a typical day?
Actually there is nothing like a typical day really, and that's what make it so interesting.
But common things do happen: Morning production meetings to get feedback from shifts occur at 07:45 followed by a planning meeting at 10:00 for the next 24hrs schedules. A 08:30 there is a short technical team meeting to try and dove tail current work lists in the department and to give/get feedback on various activities going on. The rest of the day would be spent on parts of the circa 5-10 projects that would typically be on the go at any one time.
When you have so many projects on the go it is very important to develop tracking systems that work for you and to try and reduce the pressure of deadline by setting your own targets some time before the actual due dates.
Challenges can come about because of multiple competing deadlines and tight resources on man power, scheduling is thus the key to success.
What are the main tasks and responsibilities?
My main task these days is to continually improve any system within the company as part of a Lean Six Sigma culture.
I act as a sounding block for anyone who is working on projects and I help in any way I can to progress their own projects.
In the technical department we act as consultants in a way, to anyone that requires help, if we can't help then we generally know who can.
From the project perspective it is our responsibility to coordinate all aspects of the project and put systems and procedures in place to make sure gains are sustained over a long period of time following project completion.
What are the main challenges?
The main challenge is to meet demanding targets both financially and time wise with multiple competing projects often involving the same few personnel.
What's cool?
The coolest thing is that I am practically my own boss provided projects come in on time and within agreed/set budgets.
I am very lucky in that I get to make the company better and in some instances make the lives of some people easier and less fraught.
I love working as part of a dedicated team that strives to continually improve all aspects of the organisation.
What's not so cool?
The most difficult parts of the job are competing reporting requirements. There are many reports that have to be done and are essential to certain folks but at this time I feel we should improve these systems as there are too many of them.
Time spent fixing problems would be more beneficial to the company -there I go again, trying to improve the system!
What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?
Specific skills that I believe I bring are: good team player, good facilitator, good communicator and good at project analysis.
But the most important skill I believe is to question everything and never except anything on face value! Get in to the nuts and bolts of problems and take everyone's views into account prior to giving a recommendation.
To never give up is my own personal quality that makes me a good fit for the job.
