A journey shaped by curiosity, initiative, and technical growth.
My time at Beak & Johnston has been defined by stepping into opportunities, learning quickly, and taking ownership wherever I could make a difference. I began in maintenance, working casually and getting my first real exposure to the engineering side of the site. Even in those early days, I found myself drawn to understanding how things worked — the equipment, the systems, the processes that kept production moving.
When that initial period ended, I moved to the Hitutec thermo‑packaging line. What started as a new role quickly became a chance to grow: I was chosen to operate the line, take responsibility for the half‑hourly checks in iLeader, and keep the machine running smoothly. I asked questions, learned the details, and built the confidence to solve problems without needing constant intervention. That willingness to understand the “why” behind each task became a theme in everything that followed.
Not long after, the engineering manager noticed I was still working on site and asked for me to return to maintenance. This became a turning point. I began raising purchase orders independently, working more extensively with M3, and looking for ways to improve the team’s workflow. One of the biggest challenges was the preventative maintenance system, which relied on slow, manual filtering and copying that often caused Excel to freeze. I rebuilt the entire process — creating a structured PM entry system, a modern tracker, and an automated weekly schedule generator that identifies all PMs due in a given week. What once took time and patience now loads in seconds and works reliably.
When my time in maintenance ended again, I moved to pack‑off, where I worked across production paperwork, line operation, and the MES system. During this period, I was recognised by the CEO for resolving a cooling issue that threatened a large batch of slow‑cook fish. With the team on break and key staff unavailable, I diagnosed the problem, coordinated the fix, and prevented the product from being lost. It was a moment that reinforced my ability to stay calm, think practically, and act decisively when it mattered.
I was later invited back to maintenance once more — this time with a stronger focus on systems, tracking, and automation. I designed and built the item and scale tracking systems, both of which are sorting‑safe, scalable, and built for long‑term reliability. These tools have become central to how the department manages stock and equipment. My work led to a fixed‑term contract, which has since been extended, and I now contribute across maintenance, stock control, and systems improvement, blending hands‑on operational work with technical problem‑solving.
Today, my focus is on refining system architecture, improving data visibility, and supporting the transition to more modern, scalable digital tools. I enjoy building systems that are reliable, explainable, and easy for teams to adopt — tools that make work smoother for everyone and help the business operate with clarity and confidence.
I’ve documented some of the systems, tools, and improvements I’ve built:
Projects — a closer look at the tools and systems I’ve designed.