Meet Daniel, a Junior Project Manager at Kingspan

Degree: Meng Mechanical Engineering

University attended: Bournemouth University

What does your role in Kingspan involve?

My role at Kingspan involves working on designing new equipment and tools for production, as well as improving the ones we already have. I’m also involved in safety projects around the factory, like LOTOTO and getting CE markings for our production lines. A big part of my job is finding practical solutions to safety issues and coming up with new ideas to make things safer and more efficient.

What is the most interesting project you have been involved in since you joined?

The most interesting project I’ve worked on so far has been the CE marking of one of our production lines. I was in charge of collecting all the existing documentation for the machines that make up the line and creating the missing pieces, like user manuals and pneumatic/hydraulic diagrams. I also got involved in solving safety issues along the line. This project was a great learning experience because it gave me a full overview of how the production process works from start to finish.

What prompted you to apply to Kingspan?

The Graduate Program's structure was what made me apply to Kingspan. I was particularly drawn to the idea of a smooth and well-supported transition from university to professional life. The chance to visit other locations and network with other grads within the company stood out to me. I felt that this was the ideal place for me to start my career because of the opportunity to network early on and the exposure to different areas of the company.

What was your experience of the Kingspan graduate recruitment process?

Despite being extremely competitive and challenging, the process was engaging from start to finish. Every step was both difficult and rewarding because it took real preparation and concentration. It's a difficult the journey, but well worth it, and at the end you feel pride on having completed all the steps.

Have you any tips for someone else thinking of applying to Kingspan?

It's a good idea, in my opinion, to prepare beforehand, particularly for the interviews, but don't overthink it. Try to be calm and just be yourself. The people you will meet are pleasant and mainly interested in learning more about you and your abilities. Having all the answers is not as important as demonstrating your potential.

Looking back, what qualities and behaviours do you think you displayed during the recruitment process which made you a good fit for Kingspan?

I believe I stood out by being participative, especially during the group interviews. I made sure to actively contribute and engage with others. I also stayed natural and genuine by simply being myself, which I think helped me connect with the interviewers and show that I was a good fit for the company culture.