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University: Lancaster
Degree type: Biological Sciences

Tell me about the Production Management Technical Development Programme.
Joining a programme focused on production has meant learning in a fast-paced environment. It’s been challenging, but highly rewarding. I’ve had the opportunity to gain experience in quality, customer service, environmental health and safety, and cost management. The programme has also allowed me to develop a network of cross-functional contacts very quickly, from production operators to directors. 

What can I look forward to?
As well as manual, human-operated processes and robotised, computer-controlled and fully-automated processes, you can look forward to working a variety of manufacturing and packaging technology. You should also prepare yourself for an environment that never stays still for long. The pace of production and the many deadlines mean that this programme is an active one. Take the placements for example. So far, my placements have lasted between three to eight months, which is a relatively short period of time to become accustomed to the role the placement department plays within the wider business, and where I fit into it all. But with some hard work on my part (and support from members of each department) it’s been possible to overcome these initial challenges and deliver completed projects by the end of each placement. 

What kind of support will I receive?
I worked closely with a mentor for the first couple of months in each placement department, after which time I’d have gained the skills required to lead projects by myself. Following on from the initial mentoring, frequent one-to-one meetings were set up with the department manager to discuss performance and areas for development. However, the bulk of my development has happened via on-the-job learning and experience. This has been supplemented by attending courses such as SATIS (A Systematic Approach to Team and Individual Skills), Managing Safely, Influencing Skills and Excelling as a First Time Supervisor.

What does it lead on to?
My current goal is to successfully complete all my project work before my site transfer. My long term goal is to develop as a production team manager, with a view to becoming an operations manager.

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