Doug

ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT TRAINEE

What's your most unusual or impressive skill?

I like to work on cars. I rebuilt a 1974 AMC Javelin AMX from shell to sweet toy. The coolest aspect to this car is that it is one of 5,000 built by a company that no longer exists, but my uncle worked the line in the factory the motor was built at.

What are your favorite books?

I don't read books that much, but do read Popular Mechanics, Car and Driver, and Men's Health.

What made you choose to work at Nestlé Purina?

Nestlé Purina provided the best training program that I saw, as well as numerous areas of advancement. From an engineering standpoint, a career with Nestlé Purina provides a challenging and dynamic work environment with opportunities to advance much faster than other companies.

What motivates you to continue working at Nestlé Purina?

The projects I work on have a direct effect on the production process and every improvement made. A difference can be seen. It’s rewarding to see something you implement work the way you thought it would, and have such an effect on the process.

What has been the most advantageous opportunity provided to you at Nestlé Purina?

The training program at Davenport has been more advantageous than I ever expected. Part of the training program is following the flow of product from start to finish. Given the size and complexity of the Davenport facility, it was an adventure following the flow through various areas I would have otherwise never known existed. Learning the entire process with a hands-on approach will greatly benefit me while working on improvement projects within the manufacturing facility.

What has been the most rewarding thing about working at Nestlé Purina?

Working with people that are friendly and would like to help you succeed, and knowing that I am working for such a prestigious company that so many people know and respect.

Describe your greatest experience with Nestlé Purina.

We went to St. Louis for a training program to meet the other new hires from other plants and the corporate office. We drove to different stores to see how each type of store sets up our products. It was amazing to see the effort that is put into the product displays as well as the amount of research and consideration that goes into each type of advertisement.

What exciting projects have you worked on?

I have had the opportunity to work on projects in all areas of the Davenport facility including: boiler projects, fire suppression, liquid process improvements, new quality initiatives, energy reduction projects, safety projects, and structural storage projects. On some projects I assist contractors while others I design or redesign processes to work more efficiently.

What has Nestlé Purina done to help you develop professionally or personally?

Nestlé Purina has offered numerous training opportunities for technical equipment, most recently boiler training. The projects and opportunities I have been assigned have also allowed me to hone my leadership and management skills with operators and other managers.

How has Nestlé Purina supported your work-life balance?

Since there are so many other trainees starting/working with me, we have been able to put together teams for outside work activities. Most recently a group of us joined a bowling league to relax and break up the week.

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

Some of my favorite things I do when I am not working are fairly typical of a guy in his early 20s. I like to compete in sports, go out on the town, hit the gym, travel to see friends in different states, work on my 1974 AMC Javelin, and just relax.

When you're out on the town, where are we most likely to run into you?

The local pub playing darts or pool, the bowling alley, the gym, or on the lake in the summer.