Dungannon Times

Why did you decide on a career in Operations?
I first clicked on an advertisement for the Dunbia Graduate Programme having recognised the company from living in the area and began researching the industry and the role. I realised that despite having a nontraditional background my education had given me essential analytical and communication skills for the industry. Leaving university there is always a fear you are going to be placed in a job where you are stuck at a desk in the corner of an office all day, but in Operations I can work in several different production environments in one day, consistently facing new challenges.

Why did you want to work for Dunbia?
My main reason for wanting to work for Dunbia was the training and development on offer. It was clear that they put a lot of investment into developing early careers through reading the stories of other senior managers who had progressed from the graduate scheme. It was also clear that the company valued innovation and inclusivity, qualities that strongly appealed to me and something which I have definitely found since working here.

How was the recruitment process?
The initial application was simple, I sent my CV and filled out a short cover letter. A couple of weeks after the application deadline I received a call from the group HR explaining how they enjoyed reading my application and invited me to an interview.

I was given an industry specific problem to research in order to give a short presentation as part of the interview. The interview was held over teams with a member of group HR, the Operational Manager and HR Manager of my site. The interview itself was simple, alongside strength-based questions and the presentation there was pleasant conversation to get to know me and my personality. Feedback from the interview was very quick and the next week I got invited to a final in-person interview on site.  The site visit involved a full tour by the Site Operations Manager to ensure the role was the right fit for me answer any questions I had. A couple of days after the visit, I accepted the job offer.

The whole process was much simpler than other graduate roles I had applied to. Throughout the process I was consistently updated which made the process a lot less stressful.

What tasks do you carry out on a typical day as an operations graduate?
Each day could be different which is what I enjoy about the role, and it varies even more as I cross between departments. A standard day could see me focus on one of my departmental specific learning goals, learning about how to perform a specific production process and its relevance to the wider operation. I could also be undertaking work for one of my personal projects which could be looking at increasing efficiency or a cost saving measure. Lastly, I would be involved with some of the responsibilities of my current Production Manager where I help with their workload in addition to learning valuable knowledge about what is required to manage a production area.

What type of person would suit a career in Operations?
Someone who is adaptable, on the scheme you will move around different production environments each with their own unique challenges. I would also say that enjoying working in a team and being a good communicator is essential. You will come to be relied on and rely on a wide range of leadership teams in the production areas.

What are your career ambitions?
One of the best things about the program is the fast-track career progression. Whilst it is too early in my scheme to know where in the business I will enter after my training, I aim to become a departmental manager with my own team underneath me down the road hopefully be responsible for running my own site.

What support do you receive at Dunbia to help you achieve your goals?
I have regular catch up with my Site Operations Manager who monitors my progress through each department in addition to challenging me with projects to work on within them. All managers have been really helpful in each department with my training programme, they take the time and effort to not only explain things thoroughly but to show and get you to experience them yourself. As a graduate I also have access to a mentor in addition to my line manager who acts as an impartial source of career advice, helping with any problems I experience at work, in addition to making sure I am driving my own learning and development.

What advice can you give to others who want to work Operations at Dunbia?
Don’t think you have to come from a farming background or have an agri-degree to apply, whilst the knowledge is no doubt helpful, on the scheme you will be offered all the help and support needed. Also be open minded and flexible with the scheme, often the best opportunities for learning and development arise by diverting from your scheduled program. Lastly, drive your development yourself, understand it is your responsibility to push your training program and you will get the most out of it.