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Gail
McPheators
HND Food Technology & BTechnol
(Hons) Food Technology
SAC, Auchincruive, Scotland
Food Technologist, Cavaghan & Gray |
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On
completing my HND, I decided to take a 'year-out'
working in the lab at the Nestlé factory
in Carlisle. I then returned to SAC and graduated
with an Honours degree in Food Technology. I also received the Gordon Paterson
Memorial Prize for the best final year project.
At first, I continued with employment in a
local raw meat factory, Sandyford Foods, where
I had worked during my course and after a
few weeks I was asked to take on the temporary
role of Development Technologist. This involved
initiating and developing new products, carrying
out hygiene audits, updating HACCP (Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Points) procedures
as well as compiling the monthly technical
report.
I then moved to Cavaghan & Gray, which
is part of Northern Foods and has several
sites in Carlisle. Initially I was employed
as a food technologist based in a factory
that specialises in the production of fresh,
chilled foods mainly for a major high street
retailer. My job was in quality assurance
- making sure that the product leaving the
factory is produced to the required standards.
I also investigated any customer complaints
and attended daily taste panels to ensure
the product end quality was consistent.
I decided I would like to change career and
moved into the Production Department. My initial
6 months were spent on project work such as
the implementation of a KPI project. KPI (Key
Performance Indicators) is a continuous improvement
system, which monitors various “indicators”
such as waste, efficiency and quality and
gives the opportunity to focus on current
practices and make improvements. The KPI project
involved daily review meetings, team working
and development.
In my most recent role of Shift Manager my
main duties include working to budgets, controlling
labour and materials variances, communicating
to team members to inform them of daily production
requirements, attending development trials,
providing costing information such as labour
requirements and throughput, carrying out
disciplinary investigations and grievances.
I am currently responsible for approximately
40 staff within 2 departments.
I have also started studying on the Northern
Foods Manufacturing Programme. The course
is run through Sheffield Hallam University
and will provide me with the opportunity to
study to obtain a Masters level qualification.
The units are run at various venues across
the country where participants go away for
a few days study. It gives me the chance to
network with other Northern Foods people and
find out what opportunities are out there.
I would strongly recommend working within
Northern Foods the training is First Class
and there are lots of opportunities for those
who want to progress within The Northern group. |
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