Swapping the sports track for the management fast track.
Curtis is a great example of how we reward talent and determination at AB InBev. He joined us as a temp worker with a degree in sports science, and as he didn’t have an engineering background he worked extra hard to succeed – and was given the support and training to do so. Now, he’s a multi-operator in our Magor brewery in Wales, working on world-famous beers like Stella Artois, Budweiser, Beck’s and Boddingtons. He‘s responsible for the canning line process and supervises a team of operators, helping us hit our target of 5.8 million hectolitres of beer.
From temporary work to team supervisor
Curtis first came to AB InBev as a temporary worker, to fill the gap between university and a career in sport. “I immediately loved the team, the challenging work, the product and the shift hours”, he admits. “So I decided I wanted to make it my career and worked hard to get a full-time job.”
Curtis explains that he chose sports science at university because he wanted a job that was hands-on. “I have that at AB InBev with the operational side of my work, but I also learn on the job and get managerial experience,” he explains. He now looks after two canning lines which fill over 150,000 cans per hour, ensuring that our high quality standards are met.
Support to succeed
Curtis wanted a career where he could continue to learn and develop my skills. “I didn’t come from a mechanical or electrical background like a lot of the team, so I had to work twice as hard,” he confesses. “But I was given one-on-one training and the chance to learn from other members of the team.
“I learned as much as I could and got several promotions to reach my current role as a multi-operator. I still want to keep progressing, so I’m now in talks with HR about going on management courses.”
Building great relationships
One of Curtis’s favourite things about the job is the shift pattern. “I like having four days on and four days off with mid-week breaks, as it means I’m not trying to cram everything into Saturday and Sunday,” he says. “I also enjoy working with the same team all the time as you build great relationships with everyone.”
Pulling together as a team
“Coming from a sports background, the camaraderie of the brewery is like being on a sports team,” Curtis describes. “I’m not sitting at a desk all day – we work together on projects and I can walk around and help other people. There’s always a great atmosphere too. Everyone takes their jobs seriously, but we can always have a laugh together. We’re all happy with where we work, which I think makes everyone more productive.”