Education & Qualifications
2008 – 2013 The University of Leeds
BEng, MEng, Industrial, Honours – Mechatronics & Robotics
Work History
2013 – 2014 Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare UK, Hull, Supply Chain Graduate, Project Manager – A fast track future global leaders program where I worked on a range of projects ranging from £30K to £2.3M in value. My role as a project manager ranged from carrying out feasibility studies to delivering tangible monetary results. In my first 6 months I had highlighted £250K savings through process changes requiring no capital investment and was involved in a £1M waste tender saving the business £200K. Through a collaboration project I reported directly to a site director, this project entitled ‘The One Stop Shop’ was to provide immediate up to date information to operators on manufacturing lines in a singular point. Other projects involved the recovery of funds from failed stock, in 2 weeks I had recovered £22K (47%) of failed stock for one area of the manufacturing facility which would have otherwise remained in storage. A particular passion was my involvement with the company supported charity, Save the Children. Here I was the committee representative for the supply function of the Hull facility (500+); I worked alongside a committee to raise funds against a £100K+ target. A highpoint was bringing together sites in India, the US and the UK to raise funds through collaborative events. I worked across multiple functions including technical, finance, engineering, projects, operations, validation and the charity as well as receiving valuable one to one mentoring from directors and senior management.
2011 – 2012 Unilever, Warrington Sourcing Unit, Industrial Placement Engineer, Supply Chain – 12 month industrial placement where I was responsible for the design and commissioning of a custom training rig. I managed the whole project from start to finish including the production of a bespoke training package including documentation and planned courses which I personally delivered to 13 professional full time engineers.
2010 (Spring) University of Leeds, Alumni and Development, Fundraiser – Contacted past students to maintain relations between them and the University, informing them of the activities within the University presently and to seek support for the Alumni and Development program. The support is fed into scholarships and projects within the University. Communication was over the phone so the ability to communicate clearly and concisely was paramount.
Skills
Leadership – My position with Reckitt Benckiser on the future global leaders program enabled me to attend numerous training courses delivered by physiologists and ex directors as well as directors and senior management from within the business. From day one I was tasked with projects that required me to understand the importance of a tactful leadership approach, using subtle influencing skills through engaging and building rapport. To do this I engaged major stakeholders and clarified the benefits for all parties – leading through engagement and mutual benefit.
Management – Throughout my time at Unilever and Reckitt Benckiser I have managed many projects some involving the management of contractors and suppliers. Others requiring me to build project teams from within the business building on the expertise and knowledge of my colleagues, engaging and building a dynamic team encouraging new ideas and innovative thinking to give the best solutions and results.
Interpersonal – I have learnt throughout my university and working life that building relationships and maintaining those is a key factor in success, I always offer support where it is appropriate and my skills can benefit. As a result of this I have built a network of individuals whom I can call upon in the occasions where I need support. This makes me much more effective in my work and I always continue to develop and build that network of not only colleagues but friends.
Innovation – The nature of my degree put an emphasis on thinking outside the box and searching out new and novel ideas to problems. I also worked alongside finance and technical teams in Reckitt Benckiser to deliver a new communication method for aligning the requirements for calculating transfer prices for new product developments. As well as this whilst at Unilever the training rig I designed and commissioned was a unique representation of the manufacturing lines the maintenance engineers worked on day to day, proving to be a much more effective model.
Resilience – I have grown to be dynamic and sensitive to both working and social situations, when travelling India and Nepal I experienced on many occasions’ conditions and sights where most would want to go home. I embraced the culture and continued on the journey of discovery of not only myself but of the people from all walks of life I met along the way.
Technical – I am keen to always understand the details and technical attributes of any project I undertake. I am most comfortable when I am sure I know what I am talking about. My degree was a unique multidisciplinary subject teaching me to effectively learn. My endeavour is always to learn more and develop my skills, seeking out new relevant knowledge as appropriate.
Computer literate – I am accustomed to using complex scientific software as well as MS Office; I take very quickly to technology. Most recently I taught myself the fundamentals of Macros and Visual Basic in order to deliver a project.
Professional Bodies
My course was fully accredited by the ‘IMechE’ and the ‘IET’. I am currently an affiliated member of both institutes.
Awards & Achievements
2008 – 2012 Foyer Federation Bursary – an award given by an organisation that helps give opportunities to individuals who have experienced hardship.
2008/ 2009 Helena Kennedy Foundation – an award presented by Baroness Helena Kennedy to students who have displayed academic achievement through serious hardship.
2008/ 2009 Main Hall Representative for the Ellerslie Hall Committee – I represented 50+ people to a committee. On that committee my role involved organising and promoting social events for students in my Hall of Residence.
