Grantham Moy Park boss still has drive and determination 20 years on

The Journal spoke to Andrea about her day-to-day role, her career in manufacturing and any advice she would give to people starting out in the industry.

What is your role within Moy Park and what are your responsibilities?

As general manager my responsibilities are wide ranging, but I am primarily responsible for providing a safe working environment for the 700 team members we have at Grantham whilst manufacturing quality finished goods for the supply chain.

We sit within Moy Park’s prepared business unit, working alongside our sister operation in Craigavon, Northern Ireland, and in close collaboration with the food service business unit teams.

Can you provide a brief overview of your career to date?

I started my first role in manufacturing at the age of 16, working as a skilled operative in a number of roles whilst studying for my A levels. This really sparked an interest into the world of manufacturing, and I went on to complete a degree in food science and manufacturing from the University of Lincoln.

I have worked within the industry for 20 years now, with roles including operations and quality control, leading to positions in technical and operations management, and was delighted to become general manager at
Grantham four years ago.

Describe a typical day at work.

As I see it, ‘typical’ and ‘food manufacturing’ are like oil and water! We crave predictability but the reality is that every day can be very different. For that reason, routine management and organisation is absolutely vital. We have periodic updates throughout the day from our teams to discuss safety, quality, service and cost conversion. These regular conversations are vital to ensure we maintain our strategic direction – which is more important than ever in these challenging times.

How has Covid-19 changed the way you work?

Every manufacturer has had to adapt in response to the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. First and
foremost the priority is to ensure that our team members remain in a safe environment as they carry out their vital work feeding the nation. We rapidly introduced measures such as installation of Perspex screens, staggered break times and social distancing to complement our existing stringent health and safety protocols.

The way we communicate within the business has also changed – with increased video conferencing where possible, rather than face-to-face meetings.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job?

The overarching challenge we face as food manufacturers is identifying and adapting to the ever-evolving expectations the consumer has. Customers and consumers have much more specific and variable requirements than they did in the past. Moy Park has really invested in this area over the years with incredibly talented new product development and research and development teams. It is challenging, but the dynamism and innovative spirit of our industry ensures we rise to that challenge, and continue to deliver for customers.

At a management level we are responsible for looking after some 700 team members here at Grantham, nurturing their talent and helping them deliver on their goals and those of the business. I think there is a misconception about what a job in a food facility looks like, but career and skills development is open to everyone from day one. Seeing colleagues thrive is very rewarding.

What are the most enjoyable aspects of your job?

People are at the heart of any business, and I am fortunate to be able to work with so many talented and dedicated colleagues. On a daily basis I have the opportunity to collaborate with so many experts, both directly and indirectly. One of the most satisfying elements of my role is seeing team members at our site and across the business come together every day to deliver solutions. At Grantham, for instance, we established Moy Park’s first fully contained ‘free from’ factory, where we process fully dairy and gluten-free product, and it’s our people who are delivering this innovation.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to work in the food industry?

For me, to really understand the process of manufacturing you have to spend time within it. Working in operations is hard work, but it is really rewarding, and open to a wide range of skill sets. It offers a range of areas you can specialise in across the supply chain.

There are a huge variety of roles within the food industry – something that may not always be widely known or understood. It is a growing and dynamic sector that offers a great opportunity to build a successful career. I have been in manufacturing for 20 years, and I still come to work every day with the same drive and determination.