In celebration of International Men’s Day, Charlotte from our Marketing department travelled to Limerick to interview six of our male colleagues, uncovering their unique journeys at Exertis Supply Chain Services. Through these conversations, we explore what brought them here and how they have thrived in their roles.
She conducted three sets of interviews, each pairing two colleagues with significant similarities or contrasts: one between two champions of education, one between two colleagues coming from diverging vs straight-line career paths, and one between a long-term employee and a newcomer.
Dive into their stories below and discover the diverse paths that led them to a career at Exertis Supply Chain Services!
Education and Career Growth at the Company: Rowan and Ray’s Interview
Could you both please give a brief introduction to yourselves and your roles at the company?
Ray: My name is Ray Frawley and I have been with Exertis SCS almost 20 years. I am currently the supply chain manager on the software & peripherals account for one of our major clients.
Rowan: My name is Rowan Walsh, I am with Exertis nearly 18 years. I am currently the Senior Supply Chain Business Manager with responsibility for customer accounts in the med-tech, industrial and tech markets
You are both known as being champions of education at the company, although I know you don’t necessarily claim that title, could you explain to me your thoughts on education for professional growth?
Rowan: Encouraging education builds confidence. I often advise my team to go back to college if they can and are willing. At the moment, one team member is completing her degree, and another took a break to finish her supply chain degree. This growth in confidence is evident in their roles and how they contribute to team discussions.
Can you share your personal experiences with further education and how it has impacted your career?
Ray: I never went down the third-level education route. I entered the workforce straight away. I started in the warehouse and progressed through several positions in a number of departments to where I now find myself in a managerial role, earning a degree in supply chain management seven years ago, which led to a further promotion. I’ve since completed two post-graduate Professional diplomas and I am starting my master’s in September. The company has always supported my educational journey, and so I encourage my team to pursue their educational goals too.
Rowan: I was similar, I began as a temp in the production area making laptops, gaining valuable experience that later helped me progress through various roles. I worked my way up from the bottom, and the team I work with has similar experiences. Today, I use my diverse background to make informed decisions and support my team’s growth.
How does the company support career advancement and growth?
Ray: The company definitely supports career advancement: I’ve seen team members transition through different roles due to their willingness to learn and gain experience. Our latest hire, a recent graduate, benefits immensely from the collective experience of the team, boosting her confidence and abilities weekly.
Rowan: Long-term employees here are dedicated to learning and sharing knowledge, which is vital for working with newcomers. Despite there being fewer people in the Limerick office, the remaining team members make for a cohesive and supportive environment.
Has it been difficult to balance further education with the demands of a full time job and other commitments?
Rowan: I returned to college during COVID, which worked out well for me personally, but it was still not without its challenges. Balancing education and work requires discipline and time management, but it’s achievable with clear goals and dedication.
Ray: Managing both can be challenging. Skills learned at work, like time management, are applicable to studies and can really help keep you on track and motivated.
What advice would you give to employees looking to advance their careers through education?
Ray: Whether you start in the warehouse or pursue formal education, understand your career goals and tailor your qualifications to fit those aspirations. It’s important to know where you want to be within the company and pursue the necessary education and experience.
Rowan: Having a 5 or 10-year plan is crucial. Discuss your goals with your manager and family to understand their expectations and support. A skills analysis with your manager can help identify strengths and gaps, guiding you on the best path forward.
Straight Line vs Diverging Career Paths: Brian and Kevin’s Interview
Could you both please tell me a little about yourselves and your roles at the company?
Brian: My name is Brian Gray. I’ve been with Exertis for 19 years, and I’m currently the Quality Environmental Health and Safety Manager for the Limerick site. I started in 2001 as a Supplier Quality Engineer and have worked across various processes including Canon and Apple production process. Now, I oversee our life sciences operations from a quality and health and safety perspective.
Kevin: I’m Kevin Stronach. I joined the company about four years ago and work in the GMP warehouse. My main tasks involve managing call-offs and dealing with temperature-controlled materials used in medical device and pharmaceutical processing.
Brian, it sounds like your career has followed a straight path within the company, would you agree?
Brian: Yes, that’s right. I’ve always worked within the quality domain and expanded into environmental and health and safety as my career progressed. The company’s shift from electronics to life sciences required us to adapt to higher compliance standards, which was a significant change. I’ve grown with these changes, learning about validation and compliance along the way.
Kevin, your path seems quite different. Could you tell me more about your journey?
Kevin: I’m originally from North East Scotland and studied archaeology in Glasgow. I worked on various digs and projects before transitioning to supply chain during COVID. A friend recommended this role at GMP, and I found that my skills in attention to detail and documentation from archaeology were surprisingly transferable to this field.
How did you both adapt to the changes in your roles and the industry?
Brian: I had to adapt to the high standards of the life sciences industry. I didn’t have experience with validation and massive change controls before, but I learned and adjusted our processes to meet these requirements. COVID also had a big impact; I had to be on-site full-time to manage quality while many worked remotely.
Kevin: For me, the learning curve was steep, especially learning to operate large forklifts and other equipment. However, the responsibility and skills I developed in archaeology, such as meticulous documentation, were very useful. Adapting to the GMP warehouse required me to be very precise and careful, which built my confidence over time.
Have you ever considered changing roles or exploring different career paths within the company?
Brian: I’ve had opportunities to try different roles, but I enjoy my current responsibilities and have found my niche. I’m content with my career path and see myself continuing in this role.
Kevin: A lot of people move around within the company, trying out new roles, so I know there are options. As I say, I didn’t foresee this transition from archaeology to supply chain, but it has been a great fit for me.
What final thoughts do you have about your experiences at Exertis and your career paths?
Brian: The environment here is very supportive. If you want to learn something new or take on more responsibility, you’re encouraged to do so. I’ve moved through various roles within the company, and the community here is always willing to help.
Kevin: Even in my short time here, I’ve learned a lot. The resources for learning and development are fantastic, and the team is very supportive. There’s a positive atmosphere, and I see a good future for myself at Exertis. My advice to others is that many skills are transferable, and with a willingness to learn, you can successfully adapt to new fields. Continuous learning and understanding the reasons behind processes are crucial.
Perspectives from a veteran of the company and a newcomer: Joe and George’s Interview
Could you please start with a brief overview of yourselves and your roles in the company?
Joe: My name is Joe Markham I joined the company in January 2001. I started in the warehouse and now work as an IT Application Support and Business Analyst. I’ve left the company twice but came back because it’s a great place to work.
George: My name is George O’Keeffe. I’ve been here for five weeks, working in spare parts inventory. The team and environment are fantastic, making it one of the best companies I’ve worked for.
Joe, how did you find your way into the supply chain?
Joe: I fell into supply chain by chance. I started on the production line in a cable company before joining Sercom Solutions in 2001. I knew little about supply chain but learned a lot over the years, enjoying the journey.
And how about you, George, what was your path to joining Exertis?
George: I’ve worked in warehousing for 18 years. After an accident and a break, I took various courses and worked at different places before joining Exertis. The structure and organization here impressed me from the start.
How do you both find the team environment here?
George: Everyone here is fantastic, creating a supportive and enjoyable work environment. It’s important to have a good team, and here, everyone gets along well.
Joe: The warehouse environment is easy-going with great camaraderie. The work is interesting, and there’s never a dull day.
How would you describe the work ethic at Exertis, and do you have any final thoughts?
George: The work ethic here is excellent. Everyone is responsible and committed. In previous jobs, lack of structure caused stress, but here, it’s well-organized and supportive. In my short time here, I’ve learned a lot. The resources for learning and development are fantastic, and the team is supportive. I see a good future here for myself.
Joe: The environment at Exertis is encouraging. If you want to learn or take on more responsibility, you’re supported. I’ve moved through various roles and always been encouraged to grow. The sense of community is really strong here.
We would like to thank all of the above colleagues who agreed to be interviewed, and wish to extend our appreciation to all of our colleagues at Exertis Supply Chain Services for their hard work and dedication to the development of both themselves and the company. You are our greatest asset!