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 path led you to Donaldson Company?
"While in school, I interned at Donaldson for two summers and one full school year. This was an incredible experience. As an intern, I was exposed to three departments within the finance area: credit and collections, cost accounting and financial reporting. My managers let me rotate through the departments to gain valuable experience and help to define my career path. After school, I was hired as a full-time employee in internal audit."
What is the best thing about working at Donaldson?
"That’s easy. It’s the people and the relationships. On my first day as an intern, I remember walking down the hall, amazed at how many people said, “Hi,” to me – people I’d never met before. They all had happy faces. It was an awesome experience. Donaldson’s culture supports these relationships. The company is community-oriented and very good at reaching out to others. I feel well respected and valued here. In just a short time, I have learned a ton about Donaldson and have built life-long relationships."
