Please help us to congratulate John Spencer, Production Control Manager, at our Pittsburgh, PA facility for his hard work and dedication!
We took a minute to ask some questions on what it’s like to work for O’Neal Manufacturing Services. Here’s what he had to say.
Where is your hometown? Monaca, PA
What motivates you to wake up and go to work? Being a result driven individual, I enjoy the daily challenges of an ever-changing production environment.
What do you do at our company? Production Control Manager. I am responsible for our Production Supervisors, the downstream processes after raw material is consumed and the shipping schedule.
What does a typical day look like for you? I start off every morning by checking current orders to the plant that was put in place from the day before. Then identify what will need completed, either in shipping or supervisor support. Communication is critical, to ensure that everyone knows what the endgame is. Then our team will work to confirm that freight is being maximized, and that the plant schedule will not fail.
What has been your favorite project so far? Implementing a shipping schedule that encompasses production planning and execution. That also includes bridging the communication gap between Sales, Production and Shipping. We have achieved this by laying out a shipping plan in advance and creating a standardized production scheduling method.
What’s something most people don’t know about you? I am in my tenth season as a PIAA Football Official. I have officiated at both Heinz Field and Robert Morris for WPIAL Championship games.
How has OMS helped you in your career development? By demonstrating the importance of accountability and communication. I am lucky to work with managers that are always setting challenging goals and planning the next step for a better result than the last. “There is only one way to coast, and that’s downhill.”-Gus Cassida (General Manager- Pittsburgh)
What advice do you have for prospective OMS candidates? Everyone knows safety is important, but you must believe it and live by it. Never think “it won’t happen to me”. Also don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone, if a job opening comes up, don’t be afraid to bid on it. Ask for help when you need it, or suggestions to make the process better.
What have you gained from working at OMS? A well-rounded understanding of what is needed in our business from all aspects. And an understanding of the different cause and affects with decision making.
What is your proudest moment at OMS? Successfully keeping the plant in full production mode and not delaying shipping with the Epicor Conversion.
What does true leadership mean to you? True leadership is a way of life. You cannot be a leader on a part time basis, meaning you must always lead by example. You cannot expect someone to do something that you wouldn’t do. Leadership is understanding and identifying spots for improvement, then working together toward a solution. Motivation is key to successful plan, and a level head will always prevail.
You’re happiest when? When anything that is in my control is complete and I know I have given everything I could to it.