My Experience
Work Experience
Quorn Foods
Stokesley, N. Yorks
Jul 2019 - Sep 2019, Oct 2020 - Nov 2020
Quorn is the world-leading manufacturer of meat alternative foodstuffs producing over 500 million servings a year with global sales and strong environmental credentials.
My initial attachment there was in the summer vacation period between my 3rd and 4th years at Sheffield and was self-organised as their base is located close to my family home. My role was to help optimise the newly installed SAP S/4 HANA system in the Accounts Payable (AP) department. An add-on software package, itCapture, needed configuring to automatically process alphanumeric input via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and hence transact supplier invoices. Therefore, I self-taught myself this OCR-based software, embarked on the systemised "learning” to capture the input, and then began training the existing AP team. At the end of my first 2-month assignment over 30% of the invoices received by the company were being automatically transacted, compared to near zero at the beginning. This helped improve the efficiency of the AP team.
I received much positive feedback while with Quorn. A senior member of the finance department fed back on my work ethic, commenting how I saw tasks as a challenge rather than an obligation. It was noted how I had informally mentored a colleague helping them to gain confidence and query the current processes too.
I returned for a second period of 4 weeks after graduation to help overcome some specific issues with the system. Due to the pandemic, I spent this time working remotely: this was a highly valuable experience of the way in which future working practice will develop. I set up a suitable home working environment, organised myself to work at appropriate set times, handled phone calls and emails, and undertook meetings remotely using Skype, and MS Teams. During this period, I enabled them to raise the overall automated processing of invoices from 75% to over 85%. As a result, the productivity of the AP department has improved further, allowing a stable headcount despite the continued growth of the business.
BMW Group
Cowley, Oxon
Jun 2018 - Jun 2019
As the third year of my degree course was to be spent in industry, I was privileged to secure a thirteen-month internship with BMW at the Mini Plant Oxford. Few cars can claim the iconic status and recognisability as the MINI.
I was assigned to the TU-O-10 department, which is responsible for Production Control and Programme Planning. I was given responsibility for continuously improving the throughput and stability of production throughout the factory. My primary focus was the routing of car bodies within the paint shop, which is essential to maintaining productivity as every car is assembled to a customer’s order.
Building on BMW’s approach to LEAN manufacturing, “Value Added Production System” (VPS) I managed my own workflow, employing advanced Excel features and self-written SQL to process data generated within the factory, I introduced measures to recommend changes leading to increased sequence stability in assembly, one of the KPIs reflected upon.
On occasions, I was set on the spot responsibility for sequencing bodies to the assembly line. This role contributed to retaining arrangements for test models such as the new electric Mini before release.
I participated in creating the monthly Newsletter which is distributed within Logistics. This involved seeking contributions and creating articles relaying important changes to the factory and ensuring transparency to all. The group also reported on out of work news items such as charity events and team building exercises.
Additional Work Experience
SP&A Architects
At SP&A, I had a week’s experience, where I accompanied one of the directors on site visits, and to client meetings. I also used the basics of CAD and SketchUp Software to design a property within given building constraints.
Bicester and Marton Furness Hockey Clubs
In addition to playing at both these clubs, I led skill-based sessions in collaboration with the head coach, and supported with performance and fitness development.
Carlton & Faceby and Bilsdale Midcable Chop Gate Primary Schools
Alongside the PE co-ordinator, I planned, delivered and assessed coaching sessions for the children and supported teachers in their delivery, as needed, during National Sports Week.
Education
University of Sheffield
Computer Science and Mathematics with a Year in Industry (GG42)
2016-2020
After 4 years at university, I am proud to have concluded with a first-class honours degree in Computer Science and Mathematics. This was a near-unique course that I found both challenging and enjoyable. After being accepted on the course, I initially found I was the only student with this specific course combination and I had to be creative and persistent in ensuring I could arrange all the modules I needed.
I balanced my studies with sport, representing the University at hockey and playing for the local club at weekends. With the Peak District being so close, I was able to pursue other interests such as walking, photography and cycling.
Modules Taken
Year 4 Data Driven Computing, System Design and Security, Topics in Number Theory, Game Theory, Advanced Algorithms, Adaptive Intelligence, Software Hut, Operations Research, Codes and Cryptography
Year 3 Year in Industry: BMW Group at MINI Plant Oxford
Year 2 Devices and Networks, Advanced Programming Topics, Automata, Logic and Computation, Advanced Calculus and Linear Algebra, Algebra, Analysis
Year 1 Introduction to Software Engineering, Java Programming, Web and Internet Technology, Introduction to Algorithms and Data Structures, Mathematics Core 1 and 2, Numbers and Groups
Stokesley School & 6th Form College
A-Levels and GCSE
2009-2016
At Stokesley I attained 4 A-Levels, including A* and A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics respectively, an AS-level in Fine Art and 12 GCSEs graded A* to C.
Regional UKMT FMSP Senior Team Maths Challenge Participant 2014 I represented the mathematics department with one other pupil
ICT Prize 2011 Cited for my consistent hard work, enthusiasm and perseverance, along with my ability to solve problems independently and learn new skills. No challenge was too big or too small!
Sport I represented the school playing hockey and rugby. A personal highlight was playing rugby on the Newcastle Falcon's Astroturf pitch.
Awards
University of Sheffield
2019-20 Software Hut Prize (Client) Winner
‘This prize is awarded once annually in recognition of the software development for a real-world client. Students compete, in teams, to develop the most effective software, following an agile development process in close collaboration with their client. This student was a member of a winning team, as deemed by the team’s client.’
This exercise formed an assessed part of my final year of studies. Working in a team of five we were allocated a local client within the university who required software developing to record attendance without being intrusive to lectures. Over a period of one term, we delivered a working product, including manuals to the client’s use cases. We used Ruby as the main coding language and developed use case diagrams, database designs and state machine diagrams from UML. During the development process we worked closely alongside the client, through initially face-to-face meetings and as Covid-19 became an increasing concern, remotely. As a team, we successfully overcame issues as they arose, referring to meeting minutes if constraints had already been defined. The software was delivered on time and was valued by the client, receiving the client prize above 38 other teams.
