Stephanie, Process Engineering

What originally brought you to Genzyme?

I studied in WIT and when I finished college, I wanted to get into a pharmaceutical company. Genzyme was a new company in Waterford and I had heard great things, so I applied for a position as a Manufacturing Team Member.

How long have you been working with Genzyme?

January 2004, I joined the company, so over 6 years now.

Please state what role you currently hold and any other roles you have had since joining?

In 2004 I was taken on as a Manufacturing Team Member in Oral Dose 1. I ran the compression machine and had the opportunity to get involved in some problem solving & continuous improvement projects during my time in this role. I then moved to the Development Facility as a Technical Development Team Member in May 2005. Here I was involved in developmental as well as investigational work to support manufacturing. I was also responsible for bringing a new compression machine into the new small scale area for the department. During this time, the Process Engineering department was developed and I was one of the first members of staff to work for this department. I was offered the role of Process Engineer for Oral Dose in March 2007 and I have remained in this role to date. The major project I have been working on is the start-up of the Oral Dose Manufacturing facility- Oral Dose 2. I was involved in FATs which meant travelling to the sites where some of the equipment was being developed and performing trials on this equipment. I was also involved in trials during commissioning and validation of the equipment. I am now the lead Process Engineer responsible for transferring a number of tabletting processes from the Oral Dose 1 facility to Oral Dose 2. To date 3 processes have been transferred via engineering work.

What keeps you motivated and inspired?

The pace of change within Genzyme, you are constantly learning- no two days are the same- great variety within roles.

How much emphasis does Genzyme place on Training and Development- are there opportunities to develop?

I graduated with a degree in Electronic Engineering in 2003, but as there were no positions for an Electronic Engineering graduate at the time, I started in Genzyme as a Manufacturing Team Member. Even though this was not an Engineering position, I found it very helpful to get this hands-on experience which I think stands to me in my current role. I learned the basics of manufacturing during my time as a Team Member and I found that showing interest and getting involved in projects outside of my basic responsibilities helped to get my name out there and progress within the company. Within 3 years I had moved from Manufacturing to Technical Development and then to Process Engineering and I felt that I had the support to help me develop within those roles. I have had the opportunity to attend a number of training courses. The support is there if you wish to attend a course that will add to your role in Genzyme. These courses can be organised on-site but there are also opportunities to travel to other companies for hands on training, as I did when I travelled to Fetta in Germany and Colorcon in the UK.

How is campus life in Genzyme different to anywhere else you have worked?

As I came to Genzyme from college I did not have much experience in this industry before but I did find it a very friendly atmosphere when I started here and it was interesting interacting with the different departments. There is a good social club in the company and this helped me to get to know people from different departments whom I may not have met previously.

What benefits that working in Genzyme provide you with, do you value the most?

Health insurance; it is a great level of cover. Waterford city as a location; great beaches and close to my family who reside in Wexford.

Can you identify the top five reasons why you enjoy working with Genzyme?

As it is a relatively new company in Waterford I am getting the opportunity to work on new developments for the site. The people & friends I’ve made. There are plenty of challenges to keep you occupied. Genzyme offer their employees a good benefit program.

Have you done any travelling for your job while working with Genzyme and how has this helped you with your role?

Yes, I have travelled to the UK, Germany and the US for training and project work. It has helped me to improve my interaction with other companies and build relationships outside of the company. I also travelled to make presentations to large groups outside of the Waterford staff, which helped to develop my presentation and communication skills.

How does your manager/team mates inspire you?

By getting stuck in and overcoming the obstacles and challenges they are faced with and maintaining good relationships.

How have you been challenged in your role?

When I started in Process Engineering I was faced with the task of leading the transition of processes from OD1 to OD2 and I had to learn how the new equipment performed very quickly! At the time I had only learned the basics of the process in OD1 so it was a steep learning curve for me. The nature of my role means that challenges come my way regularly and as it is a support role for Manufacturing you have to be quick at problem solving and making decisions all of the time!

What do you like most about your role?

The variety of the role; you are required to use a number of different skills every day. I like the hands on approach being involved directly with the manufacturing process.

What have you discovered about Genzyme that has surprised you?

The rapid expansion of the company. Since I started 6 ½ years ago, the site has transformed immensely. Changes I have seen include expansions of manufacturing, packaging, the development facility and QC labs and also new offices. These changes and expansions have allowed the transition of people between departments within Genzyme.

How has Genzyme helped you achieve a work/life balance?

I find the flexible working hours great in that if you need to take some time for appointments etc. you have the option to plan that into your week. There is a good social club here too with outings of some sort pretty much every month.

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