I've now finished my second year on the Cadbury Project & Process Engineering Graduate Scheme and find myself working a Sunday night shift on the Hollow Eggs production line. I have been on shift as a Team Leader for just over 9 weeks now and I am starting to feel like things are settling down. I joined the Hollow Eggs plant just as a new development project was in the commissioning stages so quickly learnt how it feels to be on the 'other side' (being part of the team that takes over the project once it has been commissioned rather than the one doing the troubleshooting on first start up).
My previous roles have included Development Engineer, Process Engineer and Procurement Sourcing Analyst but nothing quite compares to this - a room full of people, a challenging production target and a tight deadline (no one can move Easter for you!). I have not managed a large team of people before and have been picking up plenty of top tips from other Team Leaders on shift. I am lucky that the team I have joined has been very supportive and encouraging. I definitely think a Team Leader placement is the only way to really understand the day to day running of a production line, the problems faced and how what happens in the office directly impacts how the factory operates.
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