Industry Expert
Andy Robinson
Company: Unilever Position: Factory Operations Manager, Supply Chain Management About: • Joined Unilever’s Future Leaders Programme after graduating • Undertook four six-month placements as a Factory Improvement Leader, Demand Planner, Factory Shift Supervisor and lastly a European Supply Planner based in Switzerland • Returned to the UK to Project Manage a change in the planning processes before being promoted to become the Factory Operations Manager of two laundry factories Can you briefly describe your role and what you do? I am currently the Operations Manager of two factories which produce over 4000 tonnes a week of laundry products for the UK and Europe. I have around 200 people reporting to me and am responsible for all aspects of production including Safety, Operational Efficiency, Finances, Quality, Customer Service and HR. I basically ensure that the factory delivers what it says it will at the right time, the right cost and at the right quality. What attracted you to the industry? I like to make things happen and see the results of the work that I am doing. I enjoy working in FMCG because it is fast paced and very competitive in the market place. That means that we are constantly challenged to do things quicker or differently to give ourselves a competitive edge. I love working in Supply Chain Management as you get to work with a wide variety of people in lots of different areas which gives you a great overview of how the business runs. What type of skills and characteristics does a student need to succeed within the industry? There are a number of areas which allow people to succeed within Supply Chain Management and FMCG namely; determination, problem solving, getting
the most out of your people and the ability to make things happen, as well as understanding the bigger business picture. What challenges do you and the industry face today? Manufacturing in the UK in the 21st century is difficult as we work in a more and more globalised world, we have to be cost competitive with our European competitors and lead the way in technology and innovation. In terms of the wider industry, environmental concerns are playing a bigger role in consumer choices, the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan seeks to reduce the environmental footprint of Unilever by half while doubling the size of the business.
INDUSTRY EMPLOYERS T50 pos. 33 / pg. 84
T50 pos. 50 / pg. 128
T10 pos. 3 / pg. 136
T10 pos. 4 / pg. 134
T10 pos. 5 / pg. 138