Heather’s Career Journey at EFP Livingston

How long have you been with EFP?
I joined in November 2017 as a Team Leader. Having previously worked in electronics manufacturing for 14 years there was a lot to learn but fortunately, there were many experienced people who were happy to share their knowledge with me for which I was grateful for.  By November 2023, I had a joint role as Operations Planner and Team Leader and then in July 2024, I stepped into the role of Production Manager. Over the last 7 years my role has continually evolved bringing new challenges and learning opportunities.

Describe a typical day
A typical day starts early and often finishes late, I begin with reviewing production reports to check performance against targets and identify issues that need immediate attention. A big part of my role involves production planning to ensure we are balancing capacity, resources, and deadlines. Throughout the day I also attend internal and customer meetings and support team leaders and operators, helping solve problems, offering guidance and keeping things moving. Along with this, as a team, we maintain Health & Safety and 5S standards 5S to keep the workplace safe, clean, and as efficient as possible.

What are some of the most challenging aspects of your job?
Managing limited machine capacity, unexpected breakdowns, resource shortages, a consistently full-on workload, and ever-changing customer demands. I handle these by staying calm, prioritising effectively, and working closely with our shift leaders, technicians, and engineers to find quick, practical solutions.

Any Memorable Moments?
It always stands out to me, particularly during a tough week  when have a key machine down and are under pressure to meet a critical customer deadline, that everything could’ve fallen apart if it wasn’t for the team pulling together. It shows the best of our people and what can be achieved when everyone pulls in the same direction.

What Motivates You?
The sense of responsibility and impact, knowing that the decisions I make directly influence the flow of the site, our ability to meet customer expectations, and team success.

Have You Had Any Mentors?
I believe that everyone I’ve worked with has contributed to mentoring me, often without even realising it. You learn something from every interaction, challenge and success. Two key mentors have been John Johnstone and Alan Morton, their experience, guidance and willingness to support and challenge me have played a major role in my development within EFP.

What Has Been Key to your Professional Growth at EFP?
Being open to learning and stepping outside my comfort zone. Taking on new responsibilities, as my role evolved pushed me to develop new skills and adapt quickly. The support and trust from leadership gave me the confidence to grow.

Just as important has been working closely with a strong team—learning from them, leaning on them during challenges, and sharing in the successes together.

What Do You Enjoy Doing In Your Free Time?
I love spending quality time with family and friends. Whether it’s days out, travelling with my family, or just socialising with friends, it’s all about making memories and enjoying the moment, especially with my four-legged child, Milo the Frenchie, he’s always entertaining.

Sum Up Your Time at EFP?
My time at EFP has been a journey of growth, teamwork, and continuous learning filled with challenges, achievements, and great people.

Tags: Careers, Insights, Our People, Training