Blessing in Disguise.
Greg, now the Head of Manufacturing at Supplement Factory, began his career with us after an unexpected turn of events. After a decade as a night shift leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing, Greg was made redundant in October 2022. However, what initially seemed like an unfortunate event turned out to be a life-changing opportunity. The very next day, with a little support from his brother, he stepped through the doors of Supplement Factory, eager to embrace a new chapter of his life.
This transition took Greg from the confines of a corporate structure to a family environment ready to support his aspirations. Initially, Greg joined as a Production Shift Leader at our powder blending site, leading a small team of six people while gaining valuable insights into the company.
”I will make mistakes, and I am prepared to do so, but it’s how you recover from them that matters”
Forging Ahead.
As a newcomer thrust into the role of shift leader, Greg recognised that he was an unknown entity. Determined to make his mark and earn the respect of his team, he rolled up his sleeves and committed himself to proving his value through hard work and dedication. However, it was not only Greg’s excellent run rates that were instrumental to winning his team over but also his exceptional people skills and natural leadership.
With his team firmly behind him, Greg wasted no time impressing those above him as well, earning a promotion to Manufacturing Manager just eight months after joining. Now one of two overseeing a team of thirty production staff, Greg described the role as a challenging, high-pressure experience, where you’re often left to navigate things on your own. Despite the demands, he embraced the challenge, consistently delivering products on time, ensuring quality standards, and even contributing visual content for social media.
Relishing the extra responsibility, Greg refused to stop there. With no health and safety officer in place, he was enrolled in a health and safety course, ultimately assuming the role himself on top of his manufacturing responsibilities. Given the course’s challenging reputation and the requirement to study in the evenings after work, he considers this one of his proudest achievements.
”It’s been a very steep learning curve, but I feel like I have proven myself”
Hungry for the Challenge.
Just over a year into his role as Manufacturing Manager, Greg achieved his second promotion, stepping up to become the Head of Manufacturing. Although it was a significant leap in responsibility, Greg feels he adapted remarkably well and appreciates the opportunity to see the direct impact of his work on the overall picture.
Greg has discovered that the people skills he honed in previous roles are essential to succeeding in his new position. The ability to adapt his communication style to connect with the diverse production team—comprising Polish, Nepalese, Lithuanian, and Greek members—has proven invaluable, enabling him to engage effectively with each and every individual.
Looking to the future, Greg is gearing up to tackle two immediate challenges. First on his agenda is leading the upcoming audits, a challenge he has never faced, but one he’s confident he can navigate with the support of the quality team. Next, he’ll turn his attention to optimising the liquid filling facilities, positioning them to become the company’s primary revenue source. While many might feel overwhelmed by such demands, Greg is energised by the challenge, knowing he cannot rest on his laurels and must strive for improvement every day.