Rafal Naumczuk
“We have people from lots of different backgrounds and many different nationalities, so communication and compromise are key to working together as an effective team.”
When I came to England in 2015, I was only planning on staying for a year. I’d completed a master’s degree in engineering, transport and logistics in Poland and really needed to get some work experience. I figured it would be good to keep my options open, so I signed up with an employment agency.
My first posting was in the Branston Fresh factory as a Packer/Stacker. I enjoyed the work, and it must have showed, as I was soon offered a permanent job with the company. I began training to be a Machine Operator and was soon moved up to that role. I could see that there was a career here, so I decided to stay and make Lincoln my home.
In 2017 I was promoted to a Team Leader role and received supervisor training to prepare me for the next step. Then in 2020 I was promoted to Production Manager for the B shift in Fresh. I look after over 60 people on the shift, supported by a Supervisor and Team Leader.
Branston has supported me with lots of training over the years to help my development. Most recently I’ve just completed the ILM level 3 award in leadership and management, along with a few of my colleagues across the business and people from other companies.
It’s been really useful, and I’m looking forward to following up with the level 4 award next.
Fresh is the best place in Branston. We have an amazing team, full of positive people who work together to get the job done. It’s a lively place to be and that’s how I like it. We’re always on the look-out for people with the motivation to progress and who will benefit from development to help them achieve their potential at Branston.
![Rafal Naumczuk](/images/jcogs_img/cache/Rafal_med_-_28de80_-_a58d47d3f91925d1df7997a785a58ddeee2786aa.jpg)
Rafal Naumczuk
Production Manager
“We have people from lots of different backgrounds and many different nationalities, so communication and compromise are key to working together as an effective team.”
![Lindsay Burrows](/images/jcogs_img/cache/Lindsay_Burrows_med_-_28de80_-_eca3d4179aaef2a4f7191a609c3d2e93d08919aa.jpg)
Lindsay Burrows
Driver Training & Compliance
“It’s not your average 9 – 5, but there’s a certain camaraderie amongst lorry drivers that you don’t get in other jobs.”
![Svetlana Tarna](/images/jcogs_img/cache/Branston_12Oct23_AW_018_-_28de80_-_b2edd97b966108e7812a8f5f50ac2c29d3bb2f0d.jpg)
Svetlana Tarna
Key Operative (Prepared)
"It's a supportive environment for people to upskill themselves."
![Lloyd Shaw](/images/jcogs_img/cache/Branston_12Oct23_AW_041_-_28de80_-_2c5f7dfd5d6a2ef827dab450ba71aaaf738b1544.jpg)
Lloyd Shaw
Engineering Team Leader (Protein)
"My aim is to continue learning and help progress the process."
![Izaak Morris](/images/jcogs_img/cache/Branston_12Oct23_AW_063_-_28de80_-_b1d8ee7491cd8784f3afc6123fa7a0d7c46805fb.jpg)
Izaak Morris
Trainer (Prepared)
"I really enjoy helping my colleagues learn and develop new skills."
![Vikki Britton](/images/jcogs_img/cache/Branston_12Oct23_AW_069_-_28de80_-_6623309b2317f77badc0411a2681be38bdeab542.jpg)
Vikki Britton
Operations Manager (Prepared)
"My experience has proved that progression is there if you want it."
![Anca-Sabina Gropeneanu](/images/jcogs_img/cache/Sabina_med_-_28de80_-_76c4f04a7777099821c634d51cf41c433f873ac7.jpg)
Anca-Sabina Gropeneanu
Production Manager (Prepared)
"I enjoy leading the team to achieve our targets together."
![Merren Lewendon](/images/jcogs_img/cache/Careers_-_Merren_Lewendon-case_study_-_28de80_-_9c095be052cde7377894baa76f43c181ad053b38.jpg)
Merren Lewendon
Agronomy Operative
"I really enjoy going out in the fields, especially on a lovely summer's day."