Sean Mills talks to nijobfinder about working at Randox.
Here is how he became a Freeze Dry Production Supervisor
What route did you take to get your job?
At school my favorite subjects were Biology and Physical Education, and though I completed my A-levels, I turned down the opportunity to go to the university I had selected. I just knew that going to university was not for me. I had previous work experience working in a laboratory, having volunteered in the Belfast City Hospital labs, as well as some other manufacturing experience from various summer jobs, so I applied for a Manufacturing Operative job with Randox. I started with the company on 3rd November 2008 and have progressed throughout the department. I worked my way up to Laboratory Technician, then Lead Laboratory Technician, and now Departmental Supervisor.
What does your job entail?
My main responsibility is the day-to-day running of the Randox Freeze Dry Production team, which starts every day with a morning meeting to go over our schedule. I review our workload, determine what sites we will be working at, and delegate tasks to different members of the team. I also check if there were any issues from the previous day that we need to look at. As Supervisor I liaise with the Planning Team to manage our work to meet production deadlines, and with the Purchasing and Stock departments to order materials that we need to complete our work. I like to be practical and hands-on so in addition to my administrative duties I also do manual work like loading and unloading freeze driers.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
When I was younger I was unsure what I wanted to do for full time employment but this is my 12th year as part of the Randox family and I am so glad I chose to work here. It has been a fantastic environment in a dynamic role that continues to challenge me every year. In February this year I was really proud to be named Randox Employee of the Year 2020.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
For the job I originally applied for there were no specific requirements other than a GCSE in Maths and English. Given the work we do, I would definitely say that an understanding of Maths and English are important.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
One of the great things about Randox is that you can change roles internally if you want to try a new discipline or have a new experience. As such there is a real mix of backgrounds across all teams in the company. Some people join us after university or after working for other companies, and others like myself begin their careers here and then progress within their department.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
Organisational and numerical skills, as well as excellent communication and good time management, are definitely essential in my role. The ability to follow health and safety procedures and work off your own initiative are also key.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
Having worked within manufacturing for over 10 years now I am no stranger to a lot of hard work in order to meet a deadline. These pressure situations are something I enjoy as they allow you to think of ways to improve manufacturing processes. I am lucky I work with a fantastic team and have a great manager who has also worked his way up in the department. He is a great mentor.
Why is what you do important?
My team are responsible for manufacturing the highest quality product to facilitate patient diagnosis. My own role specifically is important to keep the team motivated and ensure everything is in place to allow them to complete their job. I am here to train new staff, help problem solve, and use my experience to support my team when they need it.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
If I wasn’t working in Manufacturing I would like to work in the Police or Fire Service.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
To anyone about to begin their first day in a new job I would give reassurance that they don’t need to be nervous. I would also encourage asking as many questions as possible until you are 100 percent sure what you’re doing and what’s expected from you. With any job there is always something new to learn and people you can learn from. No one knows everything, and everyone needs a little help now and again.
Describe your ideal day off.
On my ideal day off I would get up early to play a round of golf or go to the gym. Then I would spend the day with my partner, enjoy a nice meal and end the day by watching a movie.
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
I have been happily working at Randox for almost 12 years, so I think that means my last job search was a successful one! My advice would be to apply for a job that excites or interests you.
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