Title: Senior Manager of Blending
Number of Years at BioZyme: 7
Describe a “typical” day in your job: A typical day can venture in various directions for me. Usually, I start the day with making sure everyone’s area started up correctly, and they have the materials they need to complete the day. I then get on my computer and use the tools we have in BackOffice to assess orders, product shortages for orders and to make sure everything on the day is achievable for my team. During the day I monitor the different areas to make sure that the quality and efficiency we are striving for is met. At the end of every day, I check to make sure everyone has completed their checklist and accomplished the run list, while also scanning through all my emails. The last thing I do at the end of every day is walk through the plant to make sure everything is turned on that needs to be and everything that should be turned off is off, while listening for any abnormal noises since this is the only time it is really quiet throughout the plant.
What is the most interesting thing you ever have done at BioZyme: This would definitely be the creation of Sure Champ® Climate Control, now integrated into Vita Charge® Climate Control Gel. To go through the whole process from test batches to get the product consistency correct, to doing the test trials on multiple species along with different customers across the country and finally seeing the launch of the product and in our customer stores or show boxes.
Share a funny story about one of your days at work: It was relatively close to when I started and was down in Small Pack. We were making HydraBoost™, and at that time we were using powder dyes. While we were weighing it out, Bob Norton came through the plant and came into Small Pack. Well, the powder dyes get suspended in the air very easily, and the dye ended up dying Bob’s teeth green for the day.
What has been one of the biggest challenges: One of the biggest challenges we face in production is we are always striving to have the best facility in the world. With that comes capital improvements every year. Some of those capital improvements require down time. So scheduling production can sometimes become challenging, as we are trying to get the installation completed in a timely manner without sacrificing production’s time. Along with ensuring we have enough product on the floor to meet our customer’s needs, so they do not have to wait.
Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do? I am fortunate to have been raised in the agricultural world my whole life, mainly in the cattle sector. Nonetheless, with being raised in it, I have built numerous relationships through the years. Having a customer call and ask for guidance on what would help their ranch or in the show ring and seeing them use our products and hear the results that products provide while seeing it made is why the care that comes full circle is important to me.
What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? Going to cattle shows either competing or working for other operations. When I’m not at those I am usually found at the golf course or lake.