Having been employed by Vitafoam, now known as Kayfoam, since 1990 I have gained considerable knowledge about the running of business. This allows me to effectively understand customer expectations and requirements and advise accordingly. I have been involved in many aspects of the business, in both the domestic and industrial divisions. From product design to prototyping, I liaise with the customer and the technical sales advisers to ensure the end product meets quality and performance expectations and within cost constraints.
To facilitate the management process the business recognised that potential supervisors/managers need a basic understanding of the management process. Potential supervisors/managers were selected and initially completed a supervisory development programme. Those, successful then had the opportunity to complete an occupational development course. In this case it was an SVQ Level III in Supervisory Management. This would lead to internal promotion and extending my roles and responsibilities within the business. In the early days these responsibilities would include rewriting the quality management system to include the Upholstery Division of the business, who at the time were not included within the scope of the quality management system. I was also involved in successfully ensuring the business was accredited with an Investors In People Award.
The next logical step for me was to attain a professional qualification which reflected the role I had within the business. Vitafoam, at that time, sponsored me to partake the Institute in Management Diploma, this was delivered by Reid Kerr College.
As can bee seen from my work experience, although I have been with the one business for over 20 years, I have quite a varied role. Because of my experience within the Upholstery division I was tasked with the responsibility of ensuring production requirements were met. This also extends to materials planning; reviewing stock levels and stock replenishment.