When Gallaher Group was bought over by JTI I retained my position as Primary Teamleader and was trained in the SAP application becoming a Power user for Shopfloor area F2S. I am now responsible for 4 x Primary areas again for both Production personnel & Craft installing new work procedures to increase efficiencies, safety and output. The 4 areas are, Cigarette, RYO/MYO ( Roll your own/Make your own ) Cigar and Pipe Primaries. I am responsible for 30 people who work on 12 hrs Day shift & 9hr Day work. The location has implemented the 5S3R principles being audited both internally every Quarter year & Externally every 3 yrs. The location has achieved Gold standard which means a score of over 95% consistently this last year. Site closure has been announced due to cheaper production costs, volume being transferred to Poland & Romania. I will finish on 31st Oct. 2017.

My responsibilities include providing the various types & blends of tobacco in 4 different tobacco processes to be used as manufacturing requires to meet market demands. I am responsible for the Safety of all members in my team including possible outside contractors and agency people whilst in my area. I am also responsible for realising and agreeing training needs in my team to increase safety and flexibility for my team. I am also responsible for crewing the shift to provide the necessary skills where & when required including both craft & production personnel and yearly providing appraisals/dialogues for each individual where feedback is provided and personal objectives agreed. I have to prioritise the production plan throughout the shift and also ensure the following reduced crew nightshift top-up production as required.Personnel records are updated regarding any discipline required due to absence or performance by myself.

Having started as a Maintenance Electrician as part of the Electronic workshop team I progressed as an Electronic Technician having trained on Accurray Weight control system which used a radioactive source to generate an electrical signal which was used to control the weight of the cigarettes running up to a speed of 12000 cigarettes /minute. During this time I was working both permanent day shifts & permanent night shifts, initially 8hr shifts & then later 12hr shifts.I then progressed into a Production teamleader role in the Primary Process on night shift being responsible for both production personnel & craft producing the tobacco from raw leaf in readiness for cigarette manufacture. Then I was made a facilitator where I provided holiday cover/relief for Production teamleaders across 4 x 12 hr shifts and also responsible for breakdown and preventative maintenance scheduling and parts ordering and preparation for longer shutdown maintenance.

Having completed a 4 year apprenticeship with Michelin I then progressed onto the Production shopfloor as part of a 4 man Mech/Elect. maintenance shift squad providing cover for breakdown/repair and machine improvements/modifications updating drawings as required.