Tell me about the career path that lead you to your current role at Donaldson…
I commenced my employment with Donaldson as a production worker on January 24, 2007. I quickly progressed to a Leading Hand position where I was able to develop an understanding of Donaldson’s leadership and processes. After a few years of developing my skills as a first level leader, I then moved onto the Production Supervisor role. I worked in this supervisor role for a total of nine (9) years before I promoted into my current role as the Production and Maintenance Manager for Donaldson Australasia.
During my tenure at Donaldson, I have been able to complete a Certificate IV in Lean Manufacturing and I am currently studying an Advance Diploma of Leadership and Management.
What is most satisfying about your work?
I am a results-driven individual so I really enjoying meeting and exceeding business goals. I have a passion for developing my people, whether this be developing my next leading hand or the new employee that started in my team a week ago. The people development component of any leadership role can be the most difficult but at the same time, is the most satisfying and exhilarating at times. I love to see my team hit their goals and progress whether this be onto other roles in the organization or where they have hit a new daily record for production.
We also recently implemented an extended leadership program for our leading hands where it is designed to teach them practical skills of being a first level leader. The program has been designed specifically to implement on a daily within the line teams making this a practical based leadership program rather than just theory.
Explain a successful contribution you have made to Operations in Australia. What specifically was accomplished?
The business is always demanding for us to find efficiencies in everything we do. From cost reductions, improving efficiencies, waste management, manufacturing costs and developing all the production employees, will enable us as a business to continue to manufacture here in Australia. Since I have been in my current role, manufacturing metrics such as earned hours, expenses such as net absorption and overall plant cost reduction have been achieved and have contributed to the ensure that we can remain competitive. It is pretty exciting to think we produce products here in Australia that are exported to other countries when Australian manufacturing generally has been decreasing over the past 50 years.
Tell us about your career path with the IT team at Donaldson.
"I joined Donaldson in August 2013 as Senior Manager - Information Technology to manage IT in India. After that, I got many development opportunities including leading Procure to Pay Business Analysis team at APAC level for Global Oracle EBS R12 ERP project. During this project, I had the opportunity to collaborate with our regional teams. I am currently in charge of Global Back Office Delivery operations team as well as Business Relationships for India. I am now working to establish our Global In-housing Centre to provide shared services to Donaldson globally."
What do you find most challenging about your role?
"Working globally; coordinating with our teams in different regions is a challenge, I like my role because it gives me opportunity to work with different cultural groups across the world. Donaldson has been flexible with working hours, which helps me to overcome this challenge. Company culture is important to me, I really enjoy the people that I work with."
– Sheila Kramer, Vice President, Human Resources
What can you share about your career and experience at Donaldson?
"When I joined Donaldson, it was my first experience working in the Information Technology Division of the manufacturing industry. It was a completely different experience to be a part of a company that encourages research and innovation. I joined as a Sr. Technical Analyst in the Business Intelligence group, that is responsible for providing data and tools to the leadership community to make informed decisions."
"Donaldson also encourages employees to participate in training to keep up with new and upcoming technologies. I was provided with many opportunities to work on challenging projects and stretch beyond my comfort zone to acquire knowledge and build new skills."
What is the best thing about working at Donaldson?
"People at Donaldson are very friendly and instantly make you feel like a part of a close-knit family. Everyone is very passionate about their job and very knowledgeable in their field. They are always ready to help each other succeed. I also appreciate the flexibility Donaldson provides so employees can manage work-life balance. Being a working mother, I have been able to fully enjoy my work without feeling stressed or guilty because I was always there when my family needed me."
"The leadership team at Donaldson is closely connected with all the employees and provide their invaluable guidance to help them succeed. Their ability to make decisions for the better future of the company and their long-term vision gives me a sense of security."
What path led you to Donaldson?
"I joined Donaldson in February 2004 as IT System Engineer, China, to implement key IT infrastructure components for new Industrial and Engine plants. With these projects implementation, I gained much IT infra. related knowledge and soft skill which is required for project management. In August 2006, I was promoted as IT supervisor and led projects including key IT infrastructure consolidating to the global platform and implementing Checkpoint Firewall/VPN in Greater China."
"In 2010 I was promoted to IT Infrastructure Manager and lead IT infrastructure team implement Server virtualization project, Cisco VOIP project, and APAC data center project. The most impressive job that I managed is the APAC data center consolidation project and coordinated with global/local team complete project on budget, on time and on quality. Donaldson offered me the regional role of IT End User Service Manager, Asia Pacific in November 2017 with the responsibility of the service desk and IT field service management APAC wide. I have gained a lot of knowledge in my 16 years with Donaldson with the support of some great mentors and leaders."
What interests/motivates you?
"I like new technologies and enjoy helping friends and family use new technology; but I also like to travel to different countries and experience different cultures and foods. Working with Donaldson, I am collaborating with people from different countries across globe. Through working with the people from different countries, I am exposed to more and more cultures that I can learn from. This gives me the experience, broader view, and confidence to move my career forward."
