Manufacturing Group Leader

Has worked his way up through the grading structure, he started as a temporary process operator (operating the machines in manufacturing).

“In manufacturing, we work twelve hour shifts, starting either in the evening or morning. As a Team Leader, it’s my responsibility at the end of the shift to handover any issues or problems to the next Team Leader.

My team consists of sixteen full-time and two temporary members of staff. It is my responsibility to ensure my team carry out the procedures that are necessary to maintain the quality of the product, as well as for their health and safety. We manufacture a sterile product, so hygiene is paramount. It's important that everybody is in specialised clothing and that the manufacturing area is constantly cleaned. I'm also a trained first aider, which is of great benefit, out of normal working hours, if somebody is taken ill.

Out of normal working hours (Monday-Friday 09.00 - 17.00), I’m responsible for everybody on site, which usually totals 24. This means taking full managerial responsibility. If there’s a problem anywhere on site I have to take major decisions and this could impact on whether to halt production or not.

We follow the European Code of Conduct for Manufacturing Pharmaceuticals (Orange Guide) which has to be stringently adhered to, and incurs a lot of paperwork. I also have meetings with other departments, including quality control, logistics and packaging. I really enjoy the role as it’s always varied and there are new and different challenges every day.

Boehringer has been very fair, supported my career development and given me training when I’ve required it. This has given me an excellent opportunity to progress.

The company has grown rapidly, but is still a family orientated business, both internally and externally.

At the end of the day we all have a job to do, but one of the advantages of carrying out my role is you know what is being manufactured will greatly enhance the quality of life for a lot of people and in certain cases will save their lives. That is a really good feeling.”