When it comes to Kellars Operations Manager Ian Booth, there is nothing he hasn’t experienced, whether it’s car electronics for Volkswagen, Nissan, Porsche, or Ferrari, manufacturing LED lighting or owning his own business for several years.
Ian was tasked with building the new LED lighting for Heathrow airport Terminal 5.
“This was an extremely challenging but exciting time for me as I was set a target date for the project completion. I have had experience in working under pressure, and was tested when I received a phone call from design to say that this needed to be completed in 4 days”
“At this point I was working day and night with my team on board so that the whole of the lighting in Terminal 5 at Heathrow did not get shut down”
After building up his experience across the globe working on circuit board electronics, Ian decided that it was time to divert his career elsewhere, after spending more than 30 years in the engineering industry.
10 months ago, Ian began working as a Warehouse Supervisor based in our Shildon depot in the Northeast, and shortly after was promoted to Depot Manager after only 2-3 months.
“After being at Kellars for such a short amount of time, I was excited to get started with this new opportunity as Depot Manager”
Although Ian isn’t travelling the globe for Kellars, he knew that there was scope for huge expansions and developments for the wholesaler and was keen to use the opportunity to bring his knowledge and experience to the team.
Another promotion later, Ian has worked his way up to Operations Manager where he is overseeing the managers for each depot and making sure that everything is running as consistently and smoothly as possible across each depot.
“Since I was promoted to Operations Manager, no day is the same, and I love the challenge of different tasks and roles in and out of the warehouse”
From an electrical Engineer to Warehouse Supervisor, to Depot Manager, to Operations Manager in 12 months. Ian has certainly built up some experience and knowledge in a new industry and is now focusing on the fine tuning of operations and efficiency of the company.
“Focusing on the consistency of Kellars is one of my priorities for each depot, ensuring that they working to the same high standard, smartly and safely”
The next step for the Operations Manager is to expand his team, so that he can pass his knowledge onto the younger generation by recruiting an admin apprentice this Summer.
“This team expansion will be a huge help to myself, and the company as new SOP’s (Standard operating procedures) will be put into place to continue the high standard of operational tasks across the business.
Huge investments and expansions in terms of depots has meant that Ian has needed to spend 8 weeks in our new Rugby depot.
His busy schedule consisted of setting up the depot from scratch, managing and overseeing internal and external fittings, training new employees, and adding the finishing touches to the running of the warehouse.
“The business has been rapidly expanding over the previous 12 months, and the future looks exciting and promising for Kellars, I can’t wait to be a part of the journey”
Away from Ian’s challenging and eventful work schedule, he enjoys cycling and spending time playing golf, and is excited to finally head to Europe once restrictions have been lifted, as well as socialising with friends and work colleagues from across the country. His future goal is to buy a boat on the Hartlepool Marina.