Day in the Life: Phoebe Johnson – Assistant Planner

Welcome to the first instalment of our Day in the Life series here at Milbank Concrete Products, where we’ll be introducing you to the talented team members who help drive our company forward every day. Through this series, we aim to provide an inside look at the various roles across our business, sharing the experiences, insights, and motivations of our staff.

Our first feature showcases Phoebe Johnson, Assistant Planner in our precast concrete manufacturing facility. Phoebe joined us in October 2020 as a production planner apprentice and recently achieved a high commendation at the CONSTRUCT Day Awards 2024.

Her journey is one of dedication and growth: she has not only completed her NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration with Distinction but has also made a remarkable impact on our production planning processes. With over 553,000 square meters of hollowcore and 1.3 million linear meters of concrete beams scheduled for production, Phoebe’s contributions have been essential to the smooth running of our operations.

What does your day-to-day look like?

The primary focus of my day is planning the hollowcore and beam production for our PS1 factory. I review the planning sheet to ensure that all jobs are scheduled on time for delivery. The factory typically casts between 8 to 10 moulds per day, and I put together the schedules for each, which I then hand over to the factory so they have a clear production roadmap.

It’s a busy role, which I enjoy because there’s always something new to tackle!

What is your favourite part of the job?

I love the constant activity – it’s never boring, and there’s always a new task waiting to be done! Another huge positive is the team; I get on really well with the people I work with, and that camaraderie makes everything more enjoyable.

What is the first task you usually tackle in the morning?

The first thing I do each morning is update our system to reflect the previous day’s production. This gives us an accurate view of what has been completed and what remains, allowing me to move forward with planning the next day’s production based on real-time information.

What is the biggest learning you have taken from your role?

Before joining Milbank, I had never held a full-time job, so I’ve learned a lot since then! The biggest takeaway has probably been self-confidence. When I started, I was 19 and barely spoke to anyone; I had little confidence in my knowledge and was hesitant to communicate, especially over the phone. Over the past four years, I’ve gained a lot of confidence, not just in my job but in my daily life as well.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

While I’m very happy in my role now and enjoy working at Milbank, five years is a long time, and I know how important progression is. I hope to work my way up the ranks at Milbank – whether in the same role or in a different one. I like a challenge!

Do you often get out on-site, or are you usually office-based?

I’m primarily office-based, but I’ve had the chance to visit some local sites a few times. Going out to see the whole process in person has been helpful, giving me a greater understanding of how my work in planning fits into the larger production process. It’s always rewarding to see how my role contributes to the final result.

Phoebe’s dedication to ensuring our production schedules are met on time, combined with her proactive approach to learning and growth, exemplifies the commitment of Milbank Concrete Products’ team members.

We’re proud to have her as part of our team and are excited to continue spotlighting more of our talented staff in future Day in the Life features. Stay tuned!