IN THIS SERIES OF INTERVIEWS, OUR EMPLOYEES TELL US ABOUT THEIR JOBS AND THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE. IT’S CARLOS PINTO’S TURN TO TELL US ABOUT HIS JOB AND HIS PASSIONS.
Carlos PINTO, OF Materials Coordinator, talks to us about his job and his passions.
Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Carlos PINTO FERNANDES, and I’m a 35-year-old Portuguese citizen who has lived in France since the 1990s. I’ve been with TRICOFLEX since 2015, where I was an operator until 2022.
I’m currently Materials Coordinator. In this role, I work closely with the planning technician to establish a production schedule based on identified needs.
My aim is to ensure that operations run to schedule. I’m also responsible for closing production orders (POs) and ensuring that all the necessary picking is carried out correctly, to avoid any surprises when it comes to production costs. A key aspect of my responsibilities is to oversee the supply of raw materials, such as plasticisers and resins, ensuring their constant availability to support manufacturing operations.
What do you consider to be the essential skills of a materials coordinator?
The essential skills of a materials coordinator include an in-depth knowledge of the production workshop. Working directly in this environment was a big advantage for me. I’ve been able to develop a practical logic and understanding of workflows, which enables me to reduce the risk of waste and overwork for my colleagues when I draw up the schedule.
Which departments do you work with?
As materials coordinator, I work closely with several departments within the company, including :
- The purchasing department, to ensure that raw materials are supplied in the right quantities and at the right time.
- The Raw Materials Receiving Department, to coordinate the receipt and storage of materials needed for production.
- The production department, to plan and coordinate manufacturing activities. The aim is to make raw materials available in line with production requirements, and also to communicate any problems or delays.
Do you have a particular passion?
Even if I’m not passionate about building as such, I find a certain satisfaction in completing a construction site. One concrete example is building my own house with the help of my family, an experience that filled me with pride.
If I had to talk about a passion, it would be football, which I played for around 15 years. Although I’ve moved away from it in recent times, I still have a keen interest in this sport, which I consider to have marked a large part of my life.
Is there one person who particularly inspires you?
I find Cristiano RONALDO very inspiring. As the national pride of my country, he’s had a remarkable career and you can’t help but admire him.
Was it a challenge for you to be promoted to coordinator?
The move to coordinator was indeed a challenge for me, and I’m proud to have been able to take it on successfully. It has enabled me to develop new skills and take on more responsibility within the company.
What is your favourite and least favourite job?
The job I enjoy the most is planning, because I like to draw up effective schedules that enable the production staff to work in the best possible conditions.
On the other hand, what I like least is the administrative side and the closing of production orders (POs). These activities are often tedious and require a lot of rigour, which makes them less attractive to me.
What do you particularly like about TRICOFLEX?
What I like about TRICOFLEX is the opportunity to develop within the company. I’ve been lucky enough to progress from operator to materials coordinator, which shows the opportunities for professional development that exist within the company. It also shows the confidence the company has in its employees and its commitment to helping them progress in their careers.
Is there a quote or saying that reflects your philosophy of life?
A quote that represents me well is: “There are no problems, only solutions”.
I’m a very positive and optimistic person. I believe that, whatever the challenge, there is always a way to overcome it. This attitude encourages me to look for creative solutions and to persevere in the face of difficulties.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
If I could have one superpower, I’d like to be able to teleport. This would enable me to travel instantly to any destination, which would be particularly useful for visiting my family in Portugal whenever I wanted.
