International Women's Day - Lisa Jordan

International Women's Day - Lisa Jordan

We are nearing the end of our week-long celebration leading up to International Women’s Day 2019. Today, we are speaking to Lisa Jordan who is our Production Scheduler on night shift. When Lisa isn’t working, she enjoys meeting her Mum for some lunch and shopping, eating out at the weekend and frequenting the local golf club for event nights.

1. Tell us about your role within SAM
I am the Production Scheduler on night shift and I work Monday to Thursday 7am-7pm. My main role is to prepare schedules for the coming day shift, so I look at the orders that are due to despatch and load them into the scheduling board to make sure that we meet shipment dates for customers. I need to understand our tooling requirements so that I can schedule production through the moulders as efficiently as possible, so I walk the factory floor three times per shift to get feedback from the tooling department and check that everything is going to plan. I also monitor our stock product levels and allocate stock to manufacture when they are getting low. On occasion, a customer asks for a bespoke profile or size, and it is my job to create product codes so that our internal sales team can place the order on the system. I finish my night by ensuring the saws are loaded with product for the next shift.

2. How did you get into manufacturing and find your passion for the industry?
My family owned a manufacturing business and I grew up thinking pallet trucks were scooters and factory floors were playgrounds (obviously they aren’t and there are strict health and safety regulations now and for good reason, but back then it was different).

3. What made you want to get into the profession?
I was cornered by my father to go and work for him and my world of manufacturing has never ended.

4. Why do you enjoy working in the industry?
There is never a dull moment. The industry is constantly changing, and it is really exciting to be part of it.

5. What advice do you have for other women keen to get into the manufacturing industry?
Do not be afraid of this industry. There is so much choice and variety in terms of job roles and you will learn a lot.

6. What exciting developments have you seen in the industry since you started?
There are so many things that have changed since I first started working in the manufacturing industry, but for me the most impressive developments have been the increase in machine speeds and the advancement in electronics.

7. What would you say to people who think the manufacturing industry works only for men?
That is absolute nonsense, and if you are planning to have a family the working hours are actually very flexible for women as most of the industry works outside the usual 9-5.

8. What is your favourite part of your career?
In my 20’s, I was managing over 50 people and I was able to go out and party and still get up for work the next morning. Those were the days!

9. What is your biggest challenge?
Getting home without having to pull over to sleep! I live about 45 minutes away from work and after a long shift the drive home can be tiring.

10. What woman inspires you?
Hilary Devey really inspires me. After working in a few companies, including TNT, she had a business idea but couldn’t get funding from her bank. Instead, she sold her house and car to fund her venture. In her first year, she forfeited her salary so she could pay her staff and she did all of this as a single mum. She is now CEO of the largest freight distribution in the UK. What a woman!