Q1. Tell us about you… what’s your work history to date?

I have been with the same company, which has undergone several name changes, since my graduation in the summer of 1996. My career began as an Apprentice Pipefitter, where I honed my skills for four years before transitioning to a fully qualified Pipefitter in the workshop for an additional year.

Subsequently, I ventured into the office-based side of the business and spent a year in the Quality Assurance department. This was followed by a move to the Estimating and Projects department, where I started as a Trainee Estimator, before advancing to the role of Estimator for three years. This was followed by an opportunity to join the Projects team as a Trainee Project Engineer and Estimator.

In 2009, I was promoted to Project Engineer and held this position for three years. In 2012, I advanced to the role of Senior Project Engineer, a position I held for nearly seven years, before an opportunity arose for the position of Operations Manager.

Q2. What’s your current role and can you describe a typical working day?

In the middle of 2018, I was elevated to the position of Operations Manager for Global's fabrication business unit, a role that I have been fulfilling for nearly five years. The dynamic nature of my responsibilities ensures that no two days are alike, a factor that I find particularly enjoyable.

My foremost priority is the smooth operation of day-to-day activities and ensuring adequate staffing levels to meet client schedules and deadlines. I also maintain close communication with the Operations Director and Facility/Production Manager of the business to ensure a seamless flow of information and co-ordination between all parties. Additionally, I keep a keen eye on potential future projects to guarantee a continuous stream of work for our workforce.

Q3. What three personality traits define you, and how do these relate to your role?

As an Operations Manager, possessing a variety of positive attributes is crucial. If I were to highlight my three strongest traits, they would be:

Approachability - I maintain an open-door policy and welcome open communication with all individuals.

Trustworthiness - I handle all situations with the utmost respect, dignity, and trust.

Flexibility - I am adaptable and can quickly change my approach to suit changing circumstances, which is a critical skill in this role, as it requires a versatile set of abilities.