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In our NORMAPeople series, employees around the world talk about their day-to-day work, how they came to the company and what they appreciate most about their jobs.
In this interview, Carlos Almeida, Team Leader at the NORMA Group site in Águeda, Portugal, talks about his everyday working life and the best experience he has had in more than 20 years with the company.
Carlos, what does your career at NORMA Group look like and what are your responsibilities?
I have been with the company since 2000. I worked as a production and warehouse supervisor for 17 years. When Lifial was acquired by NORMA Group in 2017, I became team leader for seven departments: Tooling, galvanizing, maintenance, semi-automatic machines, polishing, spot welding mig mag and U-bolts.
Do you have any routines in your daily work?
Yes, of course. I start each day by greeting all employees and lead the plant gymnastics. Then I organize all KPIs for what we call the “Gemba Walk”, a workplace inspection.
“One of the things that makes my job very interesting is the degree of responsibility that comes with my tasks.”
This includes accompanying and supporting my teams in their daily work. I also make sure that all the machines are working properly so that they can achieve the expected level of productivity.
What is the most important feature in your job?
I have to be creative in my job and be able to improvise to solve challenges – you have to think outside the box. That’s the only way I can do my job efficiently and maintain an accurate overview. But that is also what makes my work exciting.
Is there anything that you are you particularly proud of in all your years with the company?
I am particularly proud of my team.
“Our cooperation and the commitment of each individual is what keeps me motivated every day.”
There have been a couple of days over the course of my 20-plus years with the company that I remember fondly. One of them is Diversity Day. It was really interesting to find out more about our colleagues – the day created an even greater sense of solidarity among all of us.
And when you’re not at work, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to be in the outdoors and hunt and fish regularly.
And finally, please complete the following sentence: I like to work at NORMA Group because…
…I have a great affinity for my tasks and for my team. The company is constantly developing and modernizing the machines and the safety level of the plants. That is something that I appreciate very much.
