Our People Back
Stuart Nicholson
Operations Director
- Biography
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As Operations Director, Stuart holds overall responsibility for the supply chain and manufacturing processes which covers all aspects of raw materials receipt, blending and packing of the products through to warehousing and distribution to service customer demand.
Stuart started his career as a degree-qualified industrial chemist before changing to a QA role within the pharmaceutical industry. He then moved into production management, becoming factory manager at RHM, before moving to Symington’s in 1995.
Stuart’s present role sees him working with a small but highly skilled management team controlling the day to day operation of the business whilst at the same time looking at the bigger picture to ensure that the company is well-placed to support its impressive growth plans.
“There’s a real sense of belonging amongst the staff here with a unique ‘family’ feel” said Stuart. “There’s a flat management structure and often company directors can be seen out on the shop floor, which helps to promote a positive environment.”
When not at work, Stuart describes himself as a family man who happens to be a ‘shopaholic’ and a Spurs fan.
Steve Henderson
Warehouse Manager
- Biography
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Steve Henderson joined the company in 1997, after previously working as a distribution shift manager for Continental Tyres.
Steve presently manages a team of 32 people at the Dartmouth way site, who perform the vital function of ensuring that all critical production materials are in the right place, at the right time. In a business where deadlines are tight, Steve and his team perform the mission-critical role of making sure everything runs as smoothly as it can – working as internal service providers for the whole site.
On his first day at work, Steve was struck by the Symington’s team ethic, and is proud that the company has managed to retain this, despite the growth of recent years:
“It’s certainly is a place that encourages ideas. The senior team is very approachable and always ready to talk if you have positive suggestions about how working practices could be improved.”
“Over my years at Symington’s I like to think I have contributed to the growth of and success of the company, even thought the company was founded more than 180 years ago the family ethos remains. I have a great team that work together to produce results of the finest quality, to me everyday is a new challenge, from new products being realised to the expansion of the factory and warehouse’s, there is never a quite minute”
Steve has also benefited from a number of training programmes during his time at Symington’s and is presently considering undertaking a vocational degree that he can use to help him bring a new perspective on workplace challenges.
Steve is married with two daughters and when not working on solving problems of supply and production, Steve is to be found on the terraces watching Featherstone Rovers play rugby league or polishing his collection of Lambretta scooters.
