Claire joined the Operations Graduate
scheme in 2007 and is currently based at
the factory at Wissington. At British Sugar
not only do we have a sugar factory but the
first UK bioethanol plant, a Phoenix Plant
which extracts a co-product we work with,
topsoil operations, large greenhouses and a
CHP power plant that as well as supplying
our factory with steam and electricity also
supports the National Grid. There's a wide
variety of processes going on, a lot to get
involved in and a lot to learn.
What degree did you do and where?
Masters in Engineering, Durham University
(Key elements Mechanical, Electrical &
Manufacturing)
What attracted you to British sugar?
I got interested in the training scheme from the
website. I visited the British Sugar factory at
Bury with an external conference and, having
seen the factory, was curious as to exactly
what it did. When I discovered it was sugar,
I then wanted to find out exactly what went
in to making sugar so I started looking at the
website and from that the graduate scheme.
And my interest went from there really. I was
impressed to learn and see state-of-the-art
processing plants which can match anything
in the oil, chemical and power industries for
complexity. Finally when I was at the British
Sugar Graduate Assessment Centre it was
the long service of employees that made me
realise British Sugar must be a good place to
work.
What has been your one highlight since
joining?
Taking over and being able to lead a team on
my own. The feeling of being responsible for
a site at 3 in the morning is one that you can't
experience anywhere else.
What placements have you done?
3 weeks in commercial department at central
offices. 2 weeks in factory finished products.
What is the best thing about working for
British Sugar?
The people, everyone is so friendly & keen
to help with anything, factories/shift teams
have a ‘family' feel. Also no day is the same,
every day you face a different challenge and
problem, you will never be short of variety.
What are you longer term aspirations and
how do you see British Sugar helping you
achieve them?
Firstly I would like to be appointed as a Team
Leader & then who knows, there are so many
opportunities available in British Sugar and
the Operations Management scheme sets
you up to do any role in the Business. People
have moved through operations to go on to
become Ops Managers and Factory managers
or moved sideways within the business to
commercial/engineering divisions. British
Sugar will help me to achieve this by giving
me a wide exposure to the business and
pushing my learning along with regular
reviews and development centres.
Could you describe what an average day
involves for you?
I need to catch up with what has happened
in the factory in the previous 16hours (shift
logs, lab results, engineering logs & had
over), priority work and prepare to react
to new issues. I Can be managing people,
steering the team to make changes or hands
on digging out of a blocked scroll. Every day
presents different challenges & problems
to overcome. My sole aim is to hand over
the factory to the next shift in a better state
however this is not always possible!
What one piece of advice would you offer to
graduates starting out?
Make the most of your time as the first year
is the only chance you will get to focus on
learning rather than doing. Don't be afraid to
ask questions, there are many people within
the business with a fantastic amount of
knowledge and they will be willing to share
it with you.
If you have already been appointed, how
does this differ from being on the graduate
scheme, and what was the most valuable
thing you learnt which helps you to do your
job?
The graduate scheme really sets you up with
a basic ‘toolbox' of skills required for a team
leading role. It introduces you to the team
leading role with shadowing current team
leaders, then team leading with support before
leaving you on your own, allowing you to
adapt to the role before being appointed.
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