Case Studies
Paul - 35 - Group Energy Manager
I started work at Wienerberger as an Apprentice Electrician in 1990, after finishing a number of GCSEs - achieving 4 A* to C grades. Throughout my time working for Wienerberger I have been encouraged to complete a wide range of training and they have provided me with full support during the development of my skills, knowledge and abilities. My training so far has resulted in a number of qualifications and internal promotions. So far I've held jobs here as Production Supervisor, Production Manager and Deputy Works Manager before gaining my latest promotion to Group Energy Manager. My training has been partly on site and partly at college/university, through day release. I now hold Apprenticeship Certificates, BTEC Certificate in Engineering, an NEBSM Certificate in Supervisory Management (NEBSM = National Examination Board in Supervisory Management) and a BTEC Certificate in Management. More recently I completed a Masters Degree in Business Administration and a Post graduate Certificate & Diploma in Business Administration at Warwick University, via part time study.
Currently I am responsible for the implementation and monitoring of energy management/saving programmes. Our company operates within the Climate Change Agreement and the EUTS, (an important European Union programme for fighting climate change.) I work mainly at our head office but I also go to all our production sites to work with people at all levels. My job requires people management, technical supervision (covering materials, processes, machinery), and new plant and product development. My work provides me with a lots of job satisfaction – (1) making products (2) seeing people in the team develop and progress and (3) achieving targets and objectives. Managing of people can be very challenging and working hours can sometimes be long, as the manufacturing process can be unpredictable at times.
To perform my job an engineering background is essential, ideally developed within the heavy clay/building materials industry. Strong communications skills and the ability to communicate at all levels is vital, along with excellent people management skills and the ability to drive and lead process change. Project management skills are also important.
The head office environment where I work is clean, friendly and the staff here are all support each other at work. We also meet up socially outside of work on some occasions. However, this type of environment does not suit everybody. Working at manufacturing sites is very different from this and, dependent on the job being performed, this may involve working in hot or cold areas. Some work at manufacturing sites is performed outside, which can mean working in wet conditions. While the jobs inside are dry, the environment there can be dusty. Also there are sometimes fumes in the atmosphere and you have to be prepared to accept some noise from the machinery in use and be prepared to wear special, protective clothing.
Staff in our manufacturing sites that find the environment unsuitable are provided support and training and there are opportunities to move across different departments. I have completed various in-house training courses including time management and employment law as well as my college and university courses. My future options include a return to works/operations management, project management or a senior management role.
