Damian Hadlow, Cask And Keg Plant Team Leader

Lives: Faversham, Kent

Age: 33

Career: Damian grew up in Faversham and attended Abbey School until the age of 16. He began working for Apex Engineering in Chatham, while also studying for a course in carpentry and joinery at Canterbury College, and was with the company for two years before it closed. He joined Shepherd Neame 13 years ago as a temporary agency worker, helping with general work in the cask yard, before being taken on permanently as a Cask Yard Operator after four months. He then moved around different areas of production, gaining experience as Ullage Manager, Forklift Operator and Keg Plant Machine Operator before being appointed Team Leader for the keg plant and cask yard in 2012.
 
Favourite Shepherd Neame beer: Asahi

Favourite non-Shepherd Neame drink: I have quite a sweet tooth, so I enjoy spirits like Morgan’s Spiced Rum or Disaronno.

What is your role? I oversee the keg plant and cask yard at Shepherd Neame.  Three people work in the keg plant, five in the cask yard, and we usually fill between 1,200 and 1,500 kegs and 700 casks a day.

What does a typical day involve? I normally start at 6am or 7am, and work through to 3pm or 4pm. I get a programme every Friday for the following week, with a list of keg and cask sizes and beers, and plan the staff rotas and our work schedule accordingly. Every day I begin by checking that the keg plant and cask yards have been cleaned, and that they have everything needed, for example that there are enough kegs and casks for that day’s production. I then spend the majority of my time operating the keg plant, which can involve working with our in-house engineers if there are any technical issues stopping it from working. My tasks also include operating the forklift and clamp truck to move the kegs and casks, and liaising with our distributors Kuehne and Nagel Drinks Logistics. They visit us about five times a day, delivering empties and picking up kegs and casks.

What personal characteristics help you in your role? I take my job very seriously, but I try to remain laidback rather than getting stressed if there is a problem, as I think you get the best out of your team if you remain calm and rational. I am a people person, and like to think that I can get on with anybody, which helps when managing a team. I am very organised, which is essential when sorting staff rotas and ensuring that production goes smoothly. I also enjoy the physical element of my job, being constantly on the go. I would hate being stuck behind a desk all the time. It also helps that I am an early riser, so I don’t mind the early starts!

What are the most rewarding parts of your job? I am lucky to lead a fantastic team of people, and we all get on really well, so it is great working with them. I also get real satisfaction when I identify a way of making our work more efficient, by thinking of a new procedure or way of doing things.

What is tough about the job? I wouldn’t say any parts of the job were tough. We can have very busy periods, for example in the run-up to Christmas when we have a high rate of production, but as long as you are organised in your approach, you can ensure things run smoothly.