Group manager production
My name is Farid Djallali, and I’m group manager in the production department. I began at Vargön Alloys in the year 2000, as a summer employee. I thought it would just be for the summer, but I stayed a lot longer than that. I began as a shift-work process operator, and then as acting group manager for my shift and finally as the regular group manager, where I’ve stayed ever since. I love it.
It’s difficult to describe a typical day, as every day has something new to offer. Although I work shifts – days, evenings and nights – most days start the same. I do my rounds at the plant to update myself about what has happened over the past 24 hours, and I talk to my colleagues on the shift before we get moving. I also collaborate a great deal with other departments to optimize production. As a manager, I put great emphasis on supporting my colleagues both in their day-to-day work and in matters such as time off, rehabilitation and so forth.
That there’s always something happening! No two days are alike, even though we always do the same thing, i.e. produce ferrochrome. There are always new issues to solve, things that need fixing or manning to be scheduled. It’s precisely that kind of variation that got me to stay longer than just one summer.
I feel that Alloys is a helpful and accommodating employer that truly puts my skills to best use. I enjoy having great responsibility in my role and that management is attentive both towards me and my colleagues. We work almost like a family; many people have been here for many years. The camaraderie is unique; we help each other, laugh together and solve problems as a team, even when things get tough. And we also take responsibility for the environment, with a much lower impact than similar companies.
All sorts! I enjoy exercise in the form of long walks and cycling. In the summers you can usually find me by the lake fishing every type of fish imaginable. I also do a whole lot of fixing round the house; there’s always something to do there.
