Sanaa Iqbal, ELS & digital transformation engineer, UK

Insights into Avery Dennison early career program

Sanaa Iqbal, ELS & digital transformation engineer, UK
Years with AD
3.5
Attribute
Resilient
Character
Curious

 

Why were you interested in Operations, and what made you choose the Avery Dennison European Graduate Program?

 

Whilst studying at university, I was introduced to Avery Dennison through an event hosted by the Cramlington (UK) site. After hearing about the company, I was drawn to the European Operations Graduate Program immediately, as it offered such unique opportunities and experiences within Engineering and Manufacturing. The program's structured approach, including rotations across different locations and departments, allowed for a well-rounded understanding of the business while building valuable skills. Speaking to other employees before joining made me feel like this was a great place to work!

 

How have you experienced the culture at Avery Dennison?

 

Avery Dennison has a friendly culture that encourages collaboration at all levels in the business. The ability to work with others from sites around Europe has also allowed me to learn from a diverse group of people. I've found it easy to engage with colleagues, whether within my team or across departments, and I really appreciate how, if someone doesn't know the answer to my question, they're quick to help me find someone who does! This makes it easy to get the information or support needed.

 

Sanaa Iqbal, ELS & digital transformation engineer, UK
Sanaa Iqbal, ELS & digital transformation engineer, UK

 

What do you see as the biggest personal benefit of your work so far?

 

One of the biggest personal benefits I've found has been learning the ability to handle challenges independently. I've had the opportunity to work on exciting projects that required creative thinking and innovation. This really pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped develop problem-solving and leadership skills to become more confident in decision-making when leading a project team. This experience overall has provided the key skills needed to face future challenges. 

 

What is your greatest achievement in the company so far?

 

There are many achievements that I am proud of, in particular, one of the first-ever projects I completed on the ECP program. This involved designing, digitizing and rolling out new dashboards across the site, following the vision for the new Managing for Daily Improvement (MDI) structure. Going from watching online tutorials to helping and coaching others on how to use the tool was an achievement in itself! Another more recent achievement I've been working towards is the Lean-Sigma Blackbelt project, which is looking at reducing breakdown downtime in our Finishing department to help improve operational efficiency.

 

How did you experience the rotations during the European Graduate Program?

 

The rotations offered an exciting opportunity to work within different locations and sites. Living in Luxembourg, meeting new people and being able to explore neighbouring European countries was such a key personal highlight for me. In terms of career building, each rotation was designed to introduce us to various functions within the business, helping us gain hands-on experience. This exposure helped develop a deeper understanding of the products and services the company provides and how each function contributes to achieving overall success.

 

 

Growth often comes from trying new things and pushing boundaries, even if all seems scary at first.

 

How have you grown in your career at Avery Dennison?

 

My role has exposed me to all parts of the operational process, so every day is a school day, always learning something new. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of other opportunities, such as the Citizen Data Science program. Working with multiple teams and leadership styles has definitely helped me grow and learn more about myself. This has also helped mold my career path as I was able to get a taste of the different roles and departments within the company to find one that fit best. 

 

What advice can you offer to others?

 

From personal experience, don't be afraid to embrace opportunities and step outside your comfort zone. Growth often comes from trying new things and pushing boundaries, even if all seems scary at first. Additionally, seek guidance or ask questions when unsure about something – you'll often find others may also be feeling the same way. Last (but certainly not least), take pride in and share your accomplishments, whether big or small. Celebrating your successes and even discussing the challenges you've overcome helps foster a culture of recognition and can inspire others. These are all steps for both personal and professional development that help focus on the bigger picture!

 

Sanaa Iqbal, ELS & digital transformation engineer, UK

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