A natural aptitude for business and an interest in design has guided Kevin McCullagh in his career as a Design Engineer.
The post: Director, Bloc Blinds
The post holder: Kevin McCullagh
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
Whilst still studying at university I worked at Michelin Tyre during my summers off as a scholarship placement student. Having completed the first two summers, I decided I would like to try something different. I approached Bloc Blinds, a young company I admired, and secured a summer job as a design engineer before my final year at university. I worked hard, was offered a job after graduating and thankfully have remained there since, becoming a company director in 2015.
What was your favourite subject at school?
There were several subjects I enjoyed at school, but Technology & Design was my favourite, and my teacher at the time was a great influence. He recognised that pursuing a career where things were constantly changing and each day was different would suit my skillsets and keep me engaged.
Did you go on to further/higher education, if so what did you study and where?
I studied Product Design and Development in the school of Mechanical Engineering at Queen’s University, Belfast, leaving with an MEng. This was a new course at the time, and it was quite a risk compared to some of the more traditional courses. However, it allowed me to study a broader range of skills including product design, manufacturing and business development which has stood me in good stead.
How did you get into your area of work?
From a young age I had an interest in business. I also had an interest in products, taking them apart, seeing how they were made and putting them together again. Pursuing Product Design as a course enabled me to merge these two interests together and from there, I have sought out jobs which are interesting to me.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
When I was at school and had to submit my university course selections, I was unsure what I actually wanted to do. It was a matter of following my heart or my head. Ultimately, I put forward what I perceived as the riskier Product Design and Development, and potentially safer career path in Law and Accounting as my two choices. When it came to the crunch on results day, I took the risk and went with my heart.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
To fulfil my role as a design engineer I had to have an engineering qualification to give me the appropriate skillset. Initially this enabled me to help design products which we could then manufacture on scale. Beyond that a lot of experience has been on the job, being able to take on new challenges and working it out along the way. I particularly like meeting with other companies and learning how they operate. Every time I visit somewhere new, I always pick up at least one thing which is useful for us to apply in our business.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
Certainly. Many of the jobs in our business have been fulfilled by people who have started from the ground up, for example as a production operative. Quite often they have the skillsets we require to move the business forward. I think undertaking a degree or qualification isn’t the most critical factor. However, if you are successful it shows that you can apply yourself to many situations to reach a goal. I like to think this was the case for my own journey. In the beginning, as the business was growing, I fulfilled many tasks from building blinds, clearing out warehouses, processing orders and making sales calls. I feel that having the right aptitude and attitude is much more important.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
In my role you must be able to see the bigger picture and think strategically. Being able to spot where potential bottlenecks are coming down the track can be critical as we operate dynamically where things are changing all the time. You have to be passionate and determined to succeed – if you don’t adopt this approach the rest of the team won’t either. All that is required can’t be done by one person alone, so excellent communication and teamwork is key.
What does a typical day entail?
One of the main attractions of the job for me is that it is always changing and evolving depending on what our needs are, or what particular projects we have on at the time. Whilst working with all the teams, I am most heavily involved with Production and R&D. This can range from update meetings on new products we are developing, to meetings on how we are making changes to our production processes. As one of the Directors, we also meet regularly to discuss wider initiatives to ensure that we are continuing our plans for growth.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
Because we are a young company, and filled with exciting creativity, it is an ever-changing environment. This can make it hard to stay on the right track. We are juggling several projects at a time, so it is important we put our energy into those that help provide step changes to the business. Some of the best aspects of being part of a forward thinking, growth focused business is that it’s exciting. I have been afforded many opportunities in my time, including being able to travel and see many places across the world, as well as seeing products I helped design, manufactured in volume – all at a young age.
Why is what you do important?
With my background and role, I strive to have a good understanding of the different elements of our business. This includes overseeing our operational needs but also seeing how these fit into our business development needs. These two must work in sync as much as possible and I assist in ensuring the two are moving in the same direction.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Work hard and always give it your all. Always listen to advice from others but never be afraid to put your point across. If you are working in a diverse role like this, it is important to get exposure in as many areas of the business as possible. If you can somewhat walk in their shoes you will have a better understanding of how to improve. I think you have to create opportunities for yourself as quite often things don’t just happen by chance. You must be determined and willing to seize every opportunity which arises. Most recently, I have been trying to ensure I am taking myself outside of my comfort zone regularly. I think this is a great way to ensure you are still developing and don’t become stagnant. It is important to look forward, recognising where the business is now and where it wants to go.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
A mediocre playing career with my local football team’s reserve side, suggests my back up of being a professional footballer would have been unsuccessful. Honestly, I think I would still be involved in business in some aspect.
If you could go back, what is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
Believe in yourself and surround yourself with good people. It is important to enjoy what you do as you spend so much time in work, you might as well enjoy the journey. A will to win and be successful can more than match years of experience. Believe and you will achieve!
Describe your ideal day off.
An ideal day off would be a relaxing one. Since meeting my wife, I have developed an affinity for her favourite place – Portrush. If the weather is good it’s a great place to wind down, take a walk on the beach and go out for a nice meal.
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