Ruby Swindle, a supply chain trainee at Crown Paints, has been named The Manufacturer’s employee of the month March 2015.
What is your role and what are the main responsibilities?
I have worked for Crown Paints since July 2014 as a trainee, and my position at the company is unique as I am the first apprentice to work in the supply chain department.
My day-to-day role varies depending on demand, this may involve maintaining the company’s master data in our business system, SAP; involvement in project work such as new product launches; or working closely with other departments and external reprographic companies.
I work with a fantastic group of people who have helped me settle in and expand my knowledge of the business.
What are the key technical skills you use?
The majority of work involves data input into various computer systems, so accuracy is a key skill within my role. Being able to follow a product through its lifecycle, from introduction to discontinuation, and controlling the data changes behind that, is very important, and it is crucial to the effectiveness of the business.
In the near future, I hope to gain further knowledge of the businesses processes by spending time in various departments throughout the company.
What personal characteristics help you in your role?
In supply chain, I interact with many departments on a day-today basis, therefore I think that having the ability to work and communicate effectively, one of my key attributes, is vital in this role.
Furthermore, I have good organisational skills, which are invaluable in my job and come in useful when working to tight deadlines. Most importantly, having a positive attitude to the work that I do has helped me in my role so far.
What is your biggest personal success in your role so far?
My biggest success is how I have overseen the changes to health and safety data on our packaging artwork covering an extensive range of Crown Paints products. This has been a critical project for the company over the past 12 months.
What are the most rewarding parts of your job?
Since being at Crown Paints, I have been involved in the launch of a range of new paints, which has broadened my knowledge of how our paint products are designed, developed and brought to market.
From creating the master data behind the product and the initial designs of a pack, to finally seeing it on shelf at a local retailer, is very rewarding.
What first attracted you to a career in manufacturing?
I was looking for a career with a reputable company that could offer me the opportunity to progress and gain vocational qualifications, and Crown Paints offered me exactly this.
Not only do I have a competitive salary but the help and support available to me is second to none.
What do you believe is the most effective way of getting young people interested in manufacturing?
More young people should be encouraged into manufacturing as it opens the doors to a wide range of career paths like design and development, supply chain, production and marketing, which might not always be apparent to young people.
I think that schools and colleges have an important part to play in raising awareness of the possibilities and opportunities available in a manufacturing environment, as sometimes these benefits aren’t always explained to them.
