Category: What’s New

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.

Title: Senior Manager of Formulation & Regulatory

Number of Years at BioZyme: 11.5

Describe a “typical” day in your job: My email is my to-do list, so I start the day running through what needs to be done. Depending on the day, I may be balancing rations for customers, updating formulas for our products, working with the international regulatory group to expand our product coverage internationally or being involved with other teams as a nutritionist/regulatory person.

What is the most interesting thing you ever have done at BioZyme: Working with the International Regulatory Team and learning how things are different in other countries.

Share a funny story about one of your days at work: I typically work from home, but I was in the office a month or so ago and Chris Blakeney stopped by the office I was in to welcome me to BioZyme. He asked how long I had been working here, and I laughed and told him a long time! I appreciated the fact that he saw a new face and wanted to make me welcome, I thought it was very sweet.

What has been one of the biggest challenges: Making sure the proper systems are in place to get things done in a timely manner.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do? I formulate the mineral products used on farm, but also help the customer through diet formulation so I can help provide an excellent product and make sure the customer is set up to take full advantage of that product by providing the proper diet to use it with.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? Spending time with family and friends, reading, watching our free-range chickens run around.

Title: Purchasing Specialist

Number of Years at BioZyme: 31

Describe a “typical” day in your job: I start the day checking emails and production schedules for urgent needs or changes. Then, place orders for production requirements timed with available storage. Following up with orders based on forecast for items with much longer lead times. Then, reviewing inventory receipts and item cost.

What is the most interesting thing you ever done at BioZyme: I went to Las Vegas for an AFIA meeting. It was my first time to Las Vegas and a city that large.

Share a funny story about one of your days at work: Many, many years ago working as customer service we ran our own trucks for delivery. We would get the orders to fill the semi, plan the route and turn the sheet in for the plant to load. We had a particular dealer somewhat infamous for last minute changes to those trucks, and our plant manager was a good guy but had a tendency to yell. One day I requested a load change, and the plant manager started yelling at me and echoing down the halls. The company owner Butch Ehlert heard the shouting and came down the hall and somewhat loudly told the plant manager not to ever yell at me like that again. Up until his retirement the plant manager used to joke that I got him in trouble with the boss. He still yelled fairly often but not at me after that, at least not loudly.

What has been one of the biggest challenges: The global supply chain crisis with rising cost and items that are unavailable.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do? I’m an animal lover at heart and have been involved with farming my whole life. I am proud to produce a product that is beneficial, not only for the animals, but for the people raising and caring for them.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? Horseback riding, rodeo and camping in the mountains.