In this month’s Employee Spotlight, we talk to our Manufacturing Manager, Steven Williams about his role at Redox.
How has your career progressed over the years? What was your first important role?
I’ve been working in manufacturing roles since graduating in 1986. My first role with some real responsibility was as a project engineer designing, building and commissioning emulsion polymerisation reactors/ plants in Malaysia and Thailand in the late 80s.
I started as a project engineer in Sydney, then plant supervisor and production manager. I also held roles as operations manager and General Manager for a time.
When did you start working at Redox?
I started in September 2016, and I was employed to do precisely what I’m doing now; Manufacturing Manager.
What was the decision behind coming to Redox?
I had known Redox for 30 years as a supplier in roles I had in manufacturing and always had a positive experience in my dealings with them. At the time, I had just been made redundant from a position when I saw the job listing. It just felt like the right fit.
What’s your day to day routine look like?
I don’t have a routine; I get many requests from reps and PMs and fit them between my longer-term workflows.
I learnt long ago as a factory manager never to get between a salesperson and a sale. Always try to provide timely advice and actions to the challenges posed by the Marketing/ sales staff.
How have processes or technology changed at Redox, and how has that benefited the customer?
In my relatively short time here, I have seen many innovations.
Redebiz, for example, has streamlined our business for the better. Managing one code for a product on multiple pallet types plus the advent of an MRP system helps the PMs cover demands, reducing the risk of out of stock events for our customers
Of course, the other significant change was COVID and working from home. Our existing Redebiz paperless ERP system facilitated efficient WFH outcomes, as demonstrated by the sales achieved during these periods.
Redox is constantly innovating and always with the customer in mind.
What’s the most stand out personal achievement you’ve hit while working at Redox?
I partially re-engineered the sulphuric acid dilution system at our Burr Court facility, with a 250% increase in productivity.
With such vast experience across so many industries, what function do you see your role facilitate between sales and marketing?
We all have our part to play in the value chain; mine often requires a bit of innovation in making something new at the Manufacturing sites.
Lately, with all the shipping delays, there has been a considerable increase in demand for local repacks.
Redox manufacturing in Sydney
I’ve been told you’re a keen gardener. How long have you been doing it for?
I used to help my dad as a young child growing up on a suburban ¼ acre block; now, I have a 6000m2 block to look after on volcanic soil, so I have no choice. The weeds grow over everything.
Do you have a nickname?
I used to be known as “Mr Google”.
I seem to have a good memory for retaining esoteric and general information.
Favourite band/song/music?
It’s pretty eclectic, and being born in the 60s, it spans the 70s to the noughties: The Eurythmics ( and Annie Lennox), the Angels, ACDC, the Eagles, Pet Shop Boys, Blondie, B-52s, Roxette, Queen, Jewel, Pink, and a lot of one-hit wonders, I could go on…