My experience at Heidelberg Materials

I joined Heidelberg Materials in September 2021 as a Concrete Operations Apprentice. During my apprenticeship, I gained a broad range of operational experience, learning to operate six different concrete plants and frequently stepping into a relief Plant Supervisor role. I also had the opportunity to support the installation of the new Sutton Courtenay concrete plant, helping to manage the project during a period when there was a vacancy in the South Central District Operations Manager role.
In January 2024, I moved into the role of Business Executive Assistant to the CEO, Simon Willis, a position I held until April 2025. This role provided a unique opportunity to gain insight into the wider business and work closely with the executive team. It was both challenging and rewarding, exposing me to a diverse range of responsibilities and significantly broadening my skills and experience.
While I found the role incredibly valuable, it also helped me realise where my true passion lies: in the operational side of the business. This led me to relocate to the Lake District and take up the position of Assistant Unit Manager at Shap Quarry.

My Current Role

As Assistant Unit Manager at Shap Quarry, I have been heavily involved in a major project to transform the site's primary crushing process. Alongside this, I have been developing my knowledge of aggregate operations and gaining valuable experience in quarry management.

Current role achievements:

  • Worked through the backlog of defects on entropy
  • Helped to improve the culture on site
  • Managed setting up training courses for all of the north east managers and 8.1Ds for sites to ensure everyone was trained up to the new matrix on the IMS
  • Worked through back log of required training for site operatives
  • Had up to date surveys completed that were required for site like HAVS and WBVS, Noise and Dust Monitoring
  • Worked heavily on improving our compliance on the IMS which led to positive external audits
  • Managing the finances on a major project
  • Working to investigate, understand and address a gap in knowledge about how to manage correctly the processes for recharging our LKAB ground lime mill production and the processes for it on SAP.
  • Increasing use of checkproof, switching from paper-based checks
  • Working with CCA and operational performance teams in setting up new AOM and checkproof processes for our new primary

Looking Ahead

As I continue my career with Heidelberg Materials, my focus is on broadening my understanding of quarry management and developing the operational expertise needed to lead increasingly complex sites. With the new primary plant project at Shap nearing completion, I am excited to learn how we will operate the upgraded plant as well as expanding my knowledge of asphalt production and plant management.
At present, I am thoroughly enjoying the challenges and opportunities my role provides, so my focus remains on continuing to learn and develop. Looking further ahead, I have always considered the possibility of returning to Australia later in my career, but for now I am focused on making the most of the opportunities in front of me and continuing to build a rewarding career with Heidelberg Materials.