This much I know: How to succeed as a working mum

How to succeed as a working mum

Just Recruitment Business Manager Bridie James knows a thing or two about the demands of parenthood and work. Here’s the mother-of-two’s inside track on the hardest balancing act of all.

There’s nothing to rival the feeling of returning to work after maternity leave. Even if you know your job inside out, you’re bound to feel a twinge of nervousness as you step back into the office.

Expect the office to feel different from when you left it before having your baby,...  

People come and go, and dynamics change. Expect the office to feel different from when you left it before having your baby, and you won’t be wrong-footed when you return.

You’ll slot in soon enough. And you’ll rapidly remember what you love about your career. I find mine to be stimulating and unpredictable, which is a great combination.

To succeed, you need to be hyper-organised. Each night, I devise a clear plan of what needs doing the next morning if we’re all to get out of the house in time for school, the childminder and work.

Routines are good. They make it easy for everyone in your household to know what to expect on any given day. I don’t think I could fit in everything that I do without having some pretty well-rehearsed routines in place.

Be prepared. I tend to log in to my work emails in the evening and catch up with admin and other tasks. That way, when I arrive in the office the next day, I can send vital emails to clients and candidates, and get on with the business of my job.

I thrive on pressure. At the moment, I’m responsible for our Witham branch. That gives me a clear focus, and means I can’t afford to get distracted. I find that clear sense of purpose really useful in keeping me motivated.

You need to make room for hobbies. As well as my job and my family, I like to run and participate in marathons. I find this time helps to clear my mind and is energising.

How to succeed as a working mumWorking parents should never be afraid to get hired help. There’s nothing that will compensate your kids for your time. So pay someone else to weed your garden or clean your house, and spend those hours catching up with a family.

If you’re earning the money, be sure to spend it on exciting things. We plan a regular trip out with the kids so that they get to enjoy the rewards of our efforts. That’s also a great way of giving them a good work ethic, because they get to experience the benefits of hard graft.

The first thing I tell myself in the morning is: “You have had seven hours’ sleep. Honest.” It’s all about mind over matter.

 

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Published: 25 October 2023
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2023

 

Jobs currently available

New job
Production Operative
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £26,800 per annum
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913737
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing global organisation, based on the outskirts of Sudbury - they are looking for a skilled Production Operator to join their team.

You must be willing to learn new skills and to work in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility, including undertaking comprehensive training to enable you to take part in tasting panels. Full training on the use of specialist equipment will be provided.

Key duties in this role include:

  • Handle ingredients on an industrial scale
  • Operate lines as required by the business
  • Undertake packaging, storage and distribution tasks
  • Maintaining accurate records in line with the required standards and customer requirements
  • Maintaining high standards of hygiene
  • Working closely with Operational, Logistics and other business teams to maximise production quality and efficiency
  • Uphold exceptional Health and Safety standards
  • Build a comprehensive knowledge of ingredients and processes to ensure production meets customer requirements

Skills required for this role:

  • The ability to follow written instructions and perform basic calculations
  • Previous experience of working to robust quality standards and following procedures
  • The ability to communicate with colleagues at all levels and confident to escalate any issues to ensure quality and safety
  • Strong computer literacy – e.g. able to input data, confirm settings on machinery and produce reports with training
  • Conscientious with strong attention to detail

Working hours for this role are:

3 Rotating Shifts (14.00 – 22.00; 06.00 – 14.00; 22.00 – 06.00; Monday – Friday, rotating weekly)

Free parking is available onsite and due to the company location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Quality Supervisor
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Competitive
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913738
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing manufacturing business based on the outskirts of Sudbury - they are recruiting for a 'Quality Supervisor' to join their team on a permanent basis.

The key purpose of this role is to support the ongoing growth of the QA Lab and team, and to own the processes that ensure the needs of both internal stakeholders and customers are met, while maintaining the highest standards of safety at all times.

You will be working closely with the Quality Manager in a state-of-the-art facility that produces the highest quality products for customers throughout the UK and Ireland.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Direct management of a team of 6 QA Technicians working across 3 shifts, supporting their development, motivation and performance/attendance management
  • Ensuring that standards are followed through verification of certificates of analysis, internal audits, control system checks and audits
  • Supporting the QA Manager to ensure the company's compliance with regulatory bodies and customer standards
  • Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of safety standards and legislation by tracking changes and industry updates and events
  • Ensuring changes required to maintain compliance with safety standards, legislation and customer requirements are highlighted to the QA Manager
  • Working with the QA Manager to implement updated policies and procedures and train them out to the wider business
  • Carrying out analysis of micro-environmental controls and providing regular reports to the business
  • Ensuring that any identified issues or non-conformances are discussed with the QA Manager and that the relevant teams identify and implement the actions to remedy them, through root cause analysis
  • Supporting the successful running of the QA Lab by carrying out verification and training activities
  • Analysing the certificates of analysis of raw materials and finished goods and releasing them to be used in production or released to the customers
  • Undertaking internal audits relating to QMS and finished product requirements
  • Maintain traceability, hygiene, quality, and process records with validation of results, identification of trends, root cause analysis where applicable and instigation of corrective actions
  • Work closely with third-party certification bodies for sustainability, religious and ethical obligations
  • Carry out sampling and investigations for microbiological, allergen, nutritional or customer requirements
  • Working with essential service providers such as Pest Control, Hygiene and workwear providers to ensure delivery of these services to a high standard
  • Managing the equipment calibration schedule
  • Assist with new product/process trials

Role requirements include:

  • Minimum 5 years of experience, preferably in a QA or Technical role
  • Proficient in BRC, HACCP and legislative food safety requirements
  • Internal auditing experience
  • Competent in Microsoft applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel. PowerPoint etc.
  • Strong skills in Microsoft SharePoint / Excel – able to automate processes, create templates and systems of record
  • Experience in delivering training in face-to-face and online settings
  • Experience of working in a food manufacturing environment
  • People Management skills – you have experience managing a small team in a manufacturing environment. You are able to delegate and distribute tasks/workload across a small team effectively to ensure tasks are delivered to the standard required

Working hours for this role are Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.

Free parking is available on-site and due to the working location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Mechanical Maintenance Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £38,000 - £40,000 per annum
Location: Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB20
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Mechanical Maintenance Engineer for their client based in Bury St. Edmunds.

The purpose of this role is to proactively prevent equipment failures and ensure that scheduled preventive maintenance (PM) is completed as planned. The role also involves maintaining quality, reducing waste, and meeting efficiency and KPI targets by working collaboratively as part of the team, while always following Health & Safety procedures.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm.
20 days holiday rising to 25 days for every year worked plus bank holidays.
The company operates a 1:3 call-out system.

Qualifications and job skills required:

  • Previous manufacturing/processing/warehouse/cold store industry experience.
  • Mechanical bias, qualifications/time served apprenticeship.
  • 4 years’ experience.
  • A good standard of both written and oral English.
  • Basic health & safety.
  • Data and analytical skills.
  • Computer literate. (Word/Excel/Windows-based packages).

Desirable skills:

  • Experience with PLC, hydraulics, temperature control, instrumentation, and welding.
  • FLT/MEWP licence.
  • Proficient in using power tools, including drills, grinders, cutting equipment, saws, files, and presses.
  • Proactive, can-do attitude with drive and ambition to achieve maintenance excellence.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Electrical Maintenance Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £38,000 - £40,000 per annum
Location: Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB21
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for an Electrical Maintenance Engineer for their client based in Bury St. Edmunds.

The purpose of this role is to proactively prevent equipment failures and ensure that scheduled preventive maintenance (PM) is completed as planned. The role also involves maintaining quality, reducing waste, and meeting efficiency and KPI targets by working collaboratively as part of the team, while always following Health & Safety procedures.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm.20 days holiday rising to 25 days for every year worked, plus bank holidays.The company operates a 1:3 call-out system.

Qualifications and job skills required:

  • Previous manufacturing / processing / warehouse / cold store industry experience.
  • Electrical bias, electrical qualifications/time served apprenticeship.
  • 4 years’ experience.
  • A good standard of both written and oral English.
  • Basic health & safety.
  • Data and analytical skills.
  • Computer literate. (Word/Excel/Windows-based packages).

Desirable skills:

  • Experience with PLC, hydraulics, temperature control, instrumentation, and welding.
  • Possession of a FLT/MEWP licence.
  • Proactive, can-do attitude with drive and ambition to achieve maintenance excellence.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more