Niamh O’Donovan, Continuous Improvement Champion, Little Island, Co Cork
How long have you worked for Pfizer?
For a year and nine months.
What does your job involve?
I work in the Operational Excellence department. We’re deploying a new programme Pfizer have launched called IMEx (Integrated Manufacturing Excellence). It’s a lean methodology involving programmes that reduce costs and waste. On a daily basis I work with a group from the quality control labs, facilitating a daily meeting for them involving scheduling and planning their work for the week, and incorporating a continuous improvement loop. I facilitate workshops coaching people, giving them the autonomy to run the various IMEx projects.
What's your favourite aspect of your job?
I love working with different groups of people and projects. Every day is very different; there's no set routine in the job.
What’s the best thing about working for Pfizer?
I think it’s the culture. It’s a relaxed workplace, everyone is very friendly and our site is quite small so you kind of know everyone. With Pfizer, just from my own experience coming off the graduate programme and being straight out of college, you’re encouraged all the time by management to try new things, to do different training and to further your career.
What are your interests outside of work?
In my spare time I like to travel as much as possible. This year I’ve been in Amsterdam and Paris, and I’m going away next week for 10 days to Toronto, Washington and Chicago. I’m also flying out to Belgium this week with work for three days’ training.
David Farrar, Technology Specialist, Newbridge, Co Kildare
How long have you worked for Pfizer?
For a year-and-a-half.
What does your job involve?
I’m in the technical services department. My role is to support the day-to-day running of manufacturing. We provide technical support to the operations here in Newbridge, Co Kildare. In the morning we assess the day and see what it’s looking like in terms of manufacturing, then we go to meetings. We also have ongoing projects to support the needs of the business for things like improving processes.
What’s your favourite aspect of your job?
When you work for a pharmaceutical company, the products created can make a difference to the lives of patients, so it’s very meaningful work. It’s also dynamic; working in pharmaceuticals is a very fast-paced environment, so your job is always exciting.
What’s the best thing about working for Pfizer?
Pfizer is one of the biggest multinational pharmaceutical organisations in the world. To be part of such a global enterprise is a big opportunity as a young graduate.
What are your interests outside of work?
I’m big into running. Here on-site last year, 15 colleagues ran the Dublin City Marathon in aid of the Irish Cancer Society and the Samaritans and I was part of that initiative. We raised more than €24,000, so it was a great thing to be part of. I still run outside of work. It’s been difficult in the winter months, but now the sun’s coming back, I’m back out doing my 5ks and 10ks.
Jillian Kelly, Global Process Owner, Order to Cash and Treasury, GFS (Global Financial Solutions)
How long have you worked for Pfizer?
14 years.
What does your job involve?
I’m currently part of a year-long secondment opportunity. I moved from the GFS (Global Financial Solutions) Dublin Order to Cash department, where I was a manager, into a global position working across the five financial shared service sites worldwide, in partnership with local management. Having a dedicated role like this provides a centralised governance around business process design and service delivery, and helps drive strategic alignment across sites in delivering on organisational goals and initiatives. It’s presented me with a superb opportunity to develop further expertise at a different level, to travel and to work with a broad network of great leaders across Pfizer.
What’s your favourite aspect of your job?
Working with people. You’re very connected with a wide range of colleagues across many different elements of the organisation. I’ve developed a network of relationships over the years spanning from Dublin to Rome to Costa Rica.
What’s the best thing about working for Pfizer?
It’s the culture. There’s a huge focus on colleague development and colleague recognition. We have groups that work on diversity within the company and in supporting people’s work-life balance. Our culture supports young people coming into the company, develops those colleagues, and recognises talent.
What are your interests outside of work?
I live out in Wicklow, so I like being outdoors walking and running. And I’m not adverse to a bit of retail therapy now and then.