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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.
Kevin Araujo is a Customer Service & Production Planner Analyst at the NORMA Group site in Atibaia, Brazil. In this interview, he talks about his career and what he owes to the company.
Kevin, how long have you been working at NORMA Group?
I have been with the company for four and a half years. I started as an intern in the Quality department. After a year and a half, I was promoted to Warehouse Logistics Specialist and after another year and a half I took on the position of Customer Service Analyst.
I studied electrical engineering, something that is very different from the work I am now doing on a daily basis. My whole life back then revolved around electrical engineering and when I was younger, I pursued a lot of specializations in this field.
But when I started at NORMA Group, I saw an opportunity to get into an entirely different field and took it.
I didn’t know much about the job, but I was curious and motivated. And I learned quickly. When I was asked by my manager if I would like to switch to the logistics department, I could not have been more proud. He believed that I was a good employee, regardless of my previous knowledge, and was sure that I would learn everything I needed to know. And that’s exactly what I did.
What does your job involve today?
I analyze our order situation and ensure that there are no delivery problems. As a Customer Service Analyst, I am the first point of contact for customers at our site in Atibaia. If there is anything that they need, I am responsible for helping them.
And what is the biggest challenge in your job?
Cooperation with other departments and sites of the company. Because I am the first point of contact for customers, I get inquiries for all departments. One example: A customer needs a specific product that we do not manufacture in our plant. I am in constant communication with all sites, working to ensure that orders are carried out satisfactorily. This can be challenging at times due to different working methods and time zones.
Before sitting down for this interview, you mentioned that NORMA Group has been a life-changing experience. What exactly did you mean by that?
When I started working for the company, I was quite young and on my own. I had no idea about Excel and my English wasn’t all that great either. I am now an expert in what I do because NORMA Group gave me the opportunity to learn, develop and prove myself. Today, I have a family and it makes me proud to be able to offer them a good standard of living. That is very special for me.
I am very grateful to the company for giving me this opportunity. At NORMA Group, I work with highly professional employees and learn a lot from them just from watching what they do and from the direct support they give me. I improve and develop every day.
In March of this year, I even had the opportunity to travel abroad for the first time. I used this time to attend a language school and further improve my English.
What motivates you every day?
I want to give something back to the company, which is why I attended the language school. I also have the opportunity to challenge myself every day. I always want to get better, and this helps me to do that.
And what do you like to do in your free time?
I love meeting up with my friends and family, enjoying a good meal and spending time with them. I also enjoy sports and do Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art that is mainly based on self-defense techniques. And my wife and I recently got into jogging together.
And finally, please complete the following sentence: I love my job at NORMA Group because…
…I have the opportunity to get better every day by working with great people. This department is full of people who love challenges and appreciate the team spirit in the company.
One response to ““Working at NORMA Group changed my life””
Sean Gillespie
Kevin, great to hear your story. It is employees like you that have made me so proud to work at NORMA. I am retiring soon after 15 years here and will carry this with me. I wish you and your family the best as you grow within NORMA.
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