Employee introduction06 Looking for the joy of manufacturing he has experienced on the line in production control
Y.M.
Joined as mid-career hire in 2023
SCI DivisionProduction Control Dept., Toyama Production Control Sec.Production control
Background
What sort of job did you have before you joined SMK?
In my last job I worked for a printed packaging company that services the pharmaceutical industry. My boss wanted me to develop into an employee with an overview of the whole operation, so I experienced a whole range of departments (quality control, production control, financial management, information management). I would assist the leaders and managers. I feel that I have been able to build a valuable career.
Why did you change jobs, and what made you choose SMK?
I had no particular problem with my last job. If anything, to this day I am very grateful and honored to have done it.
However, as I was working, a sense gradually welled up inside me that I would like to test my skills in the outside world to see how they measured up. On the other hand, the thought of leaving filled me with a vague unease.
The opportunity arose after I had children. Once I made the firm decision to look for a new job, everything moved quickly. I registered with a jobseeking website and seeing that all sorts of companies had vacancies, thought about what I would like to do in future and imagined the new life that awaited, based on my experience so far. It went smoothly and was all over after about a month of looking for work, thanks in part to all of the different jobs I experienced at my last company.
When I was thinking about what to do next, based on my previous experience, I was utterly flummoxed by all the choices because each of the jobs I had done before each offered their own rewards, and I was made job offers by companies for several different roles. When I reflected on the past and thought about what I had most enjoyed, the first thing I remembered was the fun of "manufacturing" that I experienced in production control. Another point in favor of my decision was the appeal of the "people" at SMK. I was convinced that joining SMK would allow me to keep growing, and that is what made up my mind.
Work
Compared to your last company, how is the ease of working here?
The system I use most at SMK is flextime. Flextime is a system that allows you to adjust your own daily starting and finishing times within a set range of hours. In my case, I start work quite early in the morning and finish quite early in the evening. I was never able to find much time for myself before, but now, thanks to this system, I have a much better work-life balance.
Tell us how you felt about the atmosphere you experienced at SMK after you joined the company.
Actually, as soon as I began work at SMK, I fell ill and had to take several days off. However, I clearly remember how warmly I was welcomed back afterwards.
Similarly, in my job, I am surrounded by colleagues who will come to talk if I have a problem. I was moved by the attitude of the whole department overcoming challenges together.
Tell us about your job.
The Production Control Dept. has the vital mission of finding the best overall answers, while coordinating and communicating with relevant departments in sales or production.
I am currently in charge of products for the sanitary sector imported from overseas bases (China, Philippines, Malaysia, etc.), especially from our Chinese factory. The China Works is an important base for the SCI Division, to which I belong.
In my previous company, we only had factories in Japan and if there was a real issue, I would go directly to the plant and seek internal resolution. However, that is not possible with overseas plants. Moreover, I mainly email with local staff who are good at Japanese, but sometimes there are nuances which I cannot communicate well. This sort of thing can even happen in Japan, not just overseas.
It is particularly important in Production Control that we give instructions that are easily understood by everyone, so that errors are prevented.
It is very difficult to do everything by yourself at work. When it comes to matters of great difficulty, it is appealing to heed the opinions of senior colleagues and proceed with the aim of achieving the best overall outcome.
Vision
Describe your dreams and goals.
My future goal is to become a leader who promotes initiatives to tackle business challenges, regardless of departmental lines.
To achieve this, all I can do is start by taking on the work and challenges before me. As a near-term goal, in addition to focusing on solving problems in my department, I would try to act in a way that earns the trust of my colleagues.
CASUAL QUESTION
What do you do after work or on your days off?
My number one hobby is travel. On my trips, I have discovered a lot of new interests. Now that I have children, I do not have much time, but I enjoy taking them to museums and other cultural institutions as well as places where I used to play a lot when I was little. I look forward to enjoying other hobbies with my children someday.
A day in my work life
