Have a Coffee With Jim Smith...

 

1. How long have you been working for the Kelly Group?

I have worked for Kelly Rail for almost 15 years.

2. What is your current job role?

I am currently Kelly Rail’s Senior Project Manager based in Glasgow.

3. What positions have you held throughout your tenure?

I started my journey with Kelly Rail as a Site Supervisor moving up to Site Manager, SSOW Planner, Possession Manager and finally going into Project Management.

4. What does a typical week look like?

One word to describe a typical week would be busy. There are a wide range of tasks I get involved with including: The management of projects and programme expectations whilst delegating and managing deliverables with team members.

• The day-to-day management of project activities and resources
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities to the appropriate personnel
• Liaise with clients giving daily updates on the project through Daily Site Reports
• Weekly updates through Flash Reports and meetings
• Support the estimating team with tenders.
• Monitoring and achieving key measures in relation to HSQE through site audits and site meetings with the teams.

5. Do you have any set goals in mind for the next 12 months (personal or professional)?

I have suffered from plantar fasciitis for over a year, and I would like to get back to hill walking and perhaps playing in Kelly Group’s charity 5-a-side football tournament. The 5-a-side tournament might be a big ask as age might have caught up with me.

6. What three words best describe your role?

• Challenging
• Diverse
• Rewarding

7. Before working for Kelly Group, what was the most unusual or interesting job you have ever had?

I have not had many jobs in my working life, however, there are few roles to mention including being an apprentice diesel mechanic and dying consultant. The position I am in at the moment is the most interesting job I have ever had.

8. If you could switch your job with anyone else for one week, whose job would you want to experience?

Tiger Woods.

9. What advice do you have for new Kelly Rail engineers / office staff coming into the business?

Always be willing to learn, open yourself up to new ideas. Make sure you learn something new every day.

10. Can you tell us about the support channels that are available for our Kelly Rail engineers?

In my opinion, Kelly Group has a number of support channels, engineers can approach the project team with any issues which will be dealt with in a fair and open manner. You could always contact the HSQE department for advice. Kelly Group has fantastic processes and procedures also available for the engineers to use.

11. What 3 words would your friends / family use to describe you?

• Crabbit
• Competitive
• Honest

12. What is your proudest moment (personal or professional)?

I have a few moments that I am extremely proud of. Some of these include:

• The birth of my children
• My son being presented with the shield for the top student in the school
• My wife climbing Ben Nevis
• The birth of my Grandchildren
• Me getting my Golf handicap down to single figures (this was a few years ago now)