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Category Supply Manager |
Brief summary of career so far and an overview of current role:
Joined Cadbury in 1990 as a manufacturing graduate (Chemical Engineering, Loughborough) and spent 3 years on the scheme with placements in Quality, Production Management, Project Engineering design and factory process engineering. First senior management role as Project engineer in Somerdale factory, where I obtained my Chartered Engineer status. Took a change of career and moved into the sales team as the Operations Manager for vending before moving back into the supply chain as a Factory Plant Manager.
I have spent the last 8 years in the Supply Planning team, starting out on materials supply and progressing up via planning and other roles to my current position.
What do you love about working at Cadbury?
Cadbury has always looked after me and my career. I have been able to follow my own interests - OK I have had to work hard and to shape my career but I have been helped. Also I just love the relevance of what we do ! I mean being involved in launching a new product 18 months before it hits the shelves is really rewarding and interesting - even though you cannot talk about it outside of the Cadbury world!
What has been your favourite role and why?
I think my first engineering role where I had to design and oversee the installation of the new Curly Wurly plant ! Only being out of University for 12 months this was the first time where I had to apply the skills and knowledge in a real situation. To actually get the plant up and running with real products based on my design was really exciting. Also working in such a great team all pulling towards the same goal.
What has been your most challenging role and why?
A difficult one ! My role as a production line manager was very hard at the time, working shifts, weekends etc. As a green graduate with no experience of managing people it was very stressful. Having said that, as I look back on it, I learnt so much about myself in that 9 month period that, even though at the time I did not enjoy it it was invaluable in my career development.
What is your favourite product and why?
Cadbury Dairy Milk - straight from the fridge. Pure heaven - nothing compares to it!