A shade of excellence
Paint shop manager has big plans
Dorah Mmekwa is the manufacturing engineering manager of the paint shop at the Ford Silverton assembly plant. She tells us about her exciting journey in the automotive business – and the challenges of the job. Where did your journey in the industry begin?
I started in the automotive industry as an industrial engineering graduate trainee at Ford in 2009. I was permanently employed in 2010 as a technician in the industrial engineering department and process engineering department in the TCF (trim final and chassis) area. From there I had four promotions to my current post of ME (manufacturing engineering) manager.
Talk us through a day in your current role?
Meetings, line-walks and assignments. I start at 6am and the first of seven meetings is at 7am where we discuss the previous day’s performance. In the afternoons I attend an EOS (end of shift) meeting with the maintenance and production team to discuss safety, quality and delivery performance of the day. Once a week I have a face-to-face meeting with my manager to discuss my performance.
What are your challenges in the workplace?
My current role as ME manager requires emotional resilience. In the past I tended to get upset quickly, but through my role I’ve learnt to adapt to stress calmly, and to manage crises better.
The role has also developed my decisionmaking abilities, because the job is all about being decisive and taking calculated risks without jeopardising quality, production and safety. Other challenges include the pressure of meeting deadlines and managing time: a lot has to happen in a limited time, so delegating and multitasking are critical.
What makes the job so rewarding?
I meet different teams with diverse skills. I always expand my skills by discussing problem-solving methodology with cross-functional teams. My job is full of challenges which require me to be creative and to think outside the box. The rewarding part is being in control and taking accountability for my own choices. Being in a male-dominated industry hasn’t always been easy, so it’s very exciting to be an example to women out there, and hopefully helping them accomplish anything they put their minds to. It’s fulfilling to know I can deliver any results that men can.
Where to next?
My next career move will be to move out of manufacturing, as I have spent all 11 years of my career in that area. I would like to work in other sectors of the plant such as product design or the quality department to broaden my skills, equip myself with diverse skills and grow professionally. I see myself as an area manager of a department.
You are an inspiration to many. What advice would you give to those eyeing a career in the field?
Believe in your capabilities, abilities and skills. Be passionate about what you do, be results-driven, show commitment and dedication and you will grow in your career. With every activity you undertake, give it your all. Perform at your best, as if you are working for your own company and your hard work depends on it. — Staff Reporter