We chatted with a Senior Field HR Generalist for Sonoco Europe, Lauren Benford, about her unconventional career path in packaging. Lauren shared her Sonoco experience and how she expanded her knowledge and skillset by answering these 10 questions:

What did you do before joining Sonoco?

I always wanted to be a police officer, so I attended college from 2009 to 2011 to earn a Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) national diploma in public services. However, the government made cuts during that period and decreased their recruitment efforts in the sector. I had to rethink my career path.

Alongside being at college, I worked at a fast-food chain as a sandwich artist and stayed on once my college course was completed. I enjoyed working there, but I did not feel that this position was my long-term career. I began my search for something new.

How did you hear about your starting role and when did you start at Sonoco?

My online search revealed a vacancy for a business administration apprenticeship at Sonoco Chesterfield in the UK. I applied for this internship. Sonoco VP of Finance for Global Rigid Paper Containers, Tim Nash, and Associate Director of Human Resources in Europe, Stacy Williams, interviewed me, and I started with Sonoco in April 2012. I have worked here for over 11 years now.

What was your first Sonoco role?

While full-time at the Chesterfield site, I also worked toward my National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Level 2 apprenticeship on the job. My main duties were dealing with incoming and outgoing mail, managing the time and attendance system and indirectly ordering items, such as stationery, PPE and maintenance supplies.

What learning opportunities did Sonoco offer you when you first joined? 

Throughout my career, Sonoco has given me so many opportunities for which I will always be very grateful. After completing my NVQ Level 2 in business administration, I went on to complete Level 3. By this time, I started to pick up some human resources tasks, since my manager Stacy worked in human resources. During this time, I began to take a real interest in this function. I took on payroll for both the Chesterfield and the former Manchester manufacturing site (called Stokes Street) and achieved my payroll technician certificate (CIPP) in 2015. I then went on to study human resources practice, gaining certifications in Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Level 3 in 2017, CIPD Level 5 in 2018 and recently CIPD Level 7 in 2023.

I was promoted to HR Assistant in April 2017, then to HR Officer in July 2018 and most recently to Senior Field HR Generalist in November 2022. During this time, the Manchester production site was closed. From 2018, I started to fully support the Bradford and Chesterfield sites.

What career-advancing qualifications have you gained since joining Sonoco?

Sonoco provided other learning opportunities throughout my career. Beyond what I previously mentioned, I became a mental health first aider, assisted with different business functions and gained real insight into how the business operates. During my qualification courses, I fortunately gained great networking opportunities to share ideas and experiences with other HR professionals. My professional development has increased my confidence and knowledge, enabling me to do my role effectively and to the best of my ability. 

What experience has been your favourite at Sonoco so far?

I have really enjoyed the opportunities to visit different Sonoco sites, meeting new people and experiencing differing cultures. I have visited several sites across the UK and in Hockenheim, Germany. These visits were a great experience to see how others work and share knowledge.

What motivates you in your current role?

My current role is Senior Field HR Generalist. When Sonoco goes through changes, I embrace it and work to make it work for our employees. My passion for employee engagement motivates me to get things right for our employees.

How did your most recent qualification progress your career?

I recently qualified for CIPD Level 7 in strategic people management. After finishing my CIPD Level 5, I was very concerned about being able to commit the time needed to complete my Level 7 qualification, but the time came to bite the bullet and go for it. I finished this two-year academic qualification while working full-time, filling every Thursday evening and many weekends in the process. I am really proud of achieving this qualification that is equivalent to a master’s degree.

After taking a short breather, I can now focus on new areas of learning, such as assisting the Chesterfield site as we begin our Sonoco Performance System (SPS) journey. This SPS process could offer career progression for me to be a people manager in the future.

What advice would you offer those considering an alternative path into a packaging career?

It is never too late to make a career change, so do what you want to do. As you know, I didn’t continue to university after completing my college course when I was younger. At times I wondered if I may regret that decision. Looking back, I would not change anything about my career. I have gained so much experience throughout my time with Sonoco, and I still have a lot to learn. Through hard work, my full-time role and the full support of Sonoco, I have achieved degree-level qualifications.

What is something fun you enjoy outside of work?

If you need a small wall built or a DIY job completed, I’m the person to call as I did bricklaying, joinery, painting and decorating as one of my GSCEs. When I am not walking my blue whippet, Opie, I am probably spending time with my fiancé Joe, who proposed to me during a holiday in Bruges last year. I’m currently looking forward to celebrating my completion of CIPD Level 7 at graduation.

Looking to the future, I anticipate continuing my education and reinforcing my learning in the manufacturing industry at this global packaging company.

Hemos hablado con Joe Curtis, Ingeniero de Procesos y Mejora Continua de Sonoco Consumer Products Europe, para que nos cuente cómo ha afrontado los retos de mudarse a una nueva casa y empezar un nuevo trabajo durante una pandemia.

Joe se incorporó a nuestra oficina de Chesterfield en agosto de 2020. Se trasladó desde Hull tras licenciarse en Ingeniería Química con matrícula de honor (¡enhorabuena, Joe!).

¿Cómo llegó a este trabajo durante la pandemia y qué le está pareciendo?

Yo, como mucha gente durante la pandemia, estaba en paro y frustrado. A principios de agosto de 2020, recibí una invitación a una entrevista para un contrato temporal de 3 meses como Ingeniero de Procesos graduado, estaba extasiado. Firmé un contrato en mi casa al día siguiente de aceptar el puesto, me trasladé a Chesterfield el sábado y empecé en mi nuevo puesto el lunes.

He trabajado en varios sitios a lo largo de mi vida y empezar en un sitio nuevo nunca es fácil; pero nada era tan extraño como empezar en un sitio que debe funcionar durante una pandemia. Era extraño tener que comprobar cuántas personas había en una habitación antes de entrar y llevar mascarilla en todas partes. Además, las rutinas de lavado y desinfección de manos no eran algo a lo que estuviera acostumbrado antes de la pandemia. Dicho todo esto, estoy muy contenta de que Sonoco se haya tomado tan en serio las restricciones de la COVID-19 y haya trabajado activamente para mantener a todo el mundo a salvo.

¿Qué retos te has encontrado durante la pandemia y cómo te has adaptado a ellos?

No todo ha sido coser y cantar, especialmente con el rápido traslado, pero el equipo de Chesterfield me hizo sentir bienvenida de inmediato, incluso con las duras restricciones relacionadas con la pandemia. Después de haber trabajado en distintos entornos de fabricación, me sorprendió gratamente la sólida cultura de seguridad de la planta.

¿Qué le sorprendió en los primeros 30 días de su nuevo puesto y de trabajar para Sonoco?

Desde el primer día tuve la oportunidad de empezar a trabajar en proyectos reales para mejorar la planta, y enseguida empecé a aprender, mientras seguía de cerca a ingenieros experimentados que trabajaban en la maquinaria de la planta. Mientras tanto, en la oficina, el Director Europeo de Operaciones me ayudaba en mis proyectos y me ofrecía valiosos conocimientos sobre la mejora continua. Mi función es muy variada, y esa es una de las razones por las que me gusta tanto.

¿Qué oportunidades de aprendizaje has tenido desde que te uniste a Sonoco?

Posiblemente la mayor oportunidad de aprendizaje llegó justo después de que me ofrecieran un puesto permanente a tiempo completo en noviembre. Participé en un curso de formación Lean Six Sigma impartido por Sonoco a través de e-learning y se me asignó un proyecto de gran envergadura en una de las principales líneas de producción de la empresa. Estoy a punto de empezar las clases de e-learning y estoy deseando obtener mi titulación.

¿Qué aspectos de su puesto le resultan interesantes?

Desde que empecé aquí, he creado nuevas normas de mantenimiento, ajuste de máquinas y procesos, además de presidir la reunión diaria de establecimiento de la dirección para debatir las tareas importantes de la planta. No ha habido un solo día que no haya sido estimulante o gratificante, y he disfrutado mucho poniendo en práctica mis estudios de ingeniería. Me gusta especialmente diseñar y crear nuevos métodos para ajustar las máquinas de modo que funcionen de forma constante y fiable. La emoción de ser la primera persona en crear una forma fácil y eficaz de hacer algo que la gente encuentra útil es algo que realmente me motiva.

¿Qué futuro ve para su función?

Hay muchos proyectos interesantes en los que participar en el futuro, por ejemplo, estoy participando en los primeros debates sobre el uso de la tecnología de impresión en 3D para ayudar a crear prototipos de piezas de ingeniería.

Espero seguir desarrollándome en Sonoco y estoy impaciente por ver adónde me lleva esto o en qué acabaré trabajando a medida que cambien los productos y nuestra fábrica se amplíe a más líneas de producción.