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Meet Jodie - Director Operations Australia
Jodie began her career with PMI in 1997 as a Chartered Accountant in Finance, then moved to Business Planning. But her greatest career challenge was yet to come. Seeking to expand her understanding of the company, in 2004 Jodie moved from the office to the factory floor. As Production Shift Manager, Jodie was out of her comfort zone. The environment was completely unfamiliar: complex machines, different hours, new co-workers. She had to relearn everything she knew, and six months later, she still felt like a beginner. But instead of returning to more familiar territory, Jodie worked harder. She took advantage of training courses, learning to use the equipment and expanding her knowledge of Operations. She questioned her colleagues on the floor and earned their respect with her curiosity and interest. “Six months later, it was the best job I’d ever had,” Jodie recalls proudly.
“My experience with PMI has been phenomenal. If you had told me in 1996 that I would eventually become a Director Operations, I would have dismissed it!"
After three years, she accepted a position in our Operations Center in Switzerland. “I was working in a flexible developmental environment learning about Planning, Global Strategies, even Product Development to get a better understanding of what goes into packaging and printing techniques. My last six months were spent in the Neuchâtel factory,” Jodie explains. “This was a development program tailored to my specific interests and development needs. I was there for two years and it was an incredible opportunity for me and for my family.” When she returned, she was offered the position of Director Operations, overseeing the manufacturing and distribution processes for Australia. Her factory produces over 9 billion cigarettes a year and employs over 200 people. “My experience with PMI has been phenomenal. If you had told me in 1996 that I would eventually become a Director Operations, I would have dismissed it! But the opportunities here are limited only by the individual.”
Jodie Sandford is from Australia. She describes herself as an “adrenaline junkie” who will try anything once, whether it is boat racing, kayaking, bungee jumping, or exploring exotic countries. Meet other people from Operations.