Employee Spotlight
Meet Ana Chimu
"Every single day brings new opportunities to make a better version of yourself. All you have to do is be a little bit optimistic and give it a try."
Production Manager, Yeovil Site
Ana Chimu walked into the Yeovil laundry in September 2014 as a Production Operative. Twelve years, three roles and two children later, she runs the production floor and calls the people on it her second family.
Years with CLEAN, since September 2014
Roles held, from Production Operative to Production Manager
The year she was promoted to Production Manager
In Her Own Words
From Production Operative to Production Manager
Ana talks through her CLEAN journey: the first few days on the ironer, the promotions that followed, and the life she and her partner have built while working here. Subtitles are included on screen.
The ROLE
A Chain That Never Stops
Ana describes production as a chain process, and every morning it starts in the same place. Transport brings the linen in, the team feeds it onto the front of the ironer, and Ana keeps the flow moving through to the packing area and back out to transport.
Quality checks run alongside safety checks throughout. Ana watches for stains and for anything that falls short of the criteria, and she holds the team to the health and safety regulations while the machines are running. Every item that leaves the site has passed through that sequence.
"We check the quality, and we make sure everyone is safe at work. Everything comes through to the packing area, and from there it goes back to transport, ready to be delivered safely to the customers."
Career Journey
Three Roles In Twelve Years
Ana joined CLEAN in September 2014 as a Production Operative. The progression on offer was clear enough that she took a Team Leader role when it came up, and in 2017, she was promoted to Production Manager.
Each step kept her on the floor she started on. The difference now is that she is the one holding the plan together.
September 2014
Production Operative
Joined CLEAN at the Yeovil site and learned the ironer, the stackers and the quality standards from the ground up.
The Next Step
Team Leader
Offered the step up on the strength of the progression she had made and took on responsibility for a shift.
2017
Production Manager
Promoted to run the production floor, from the morning delivery through to the vans leaving with finished linen.
WHAT DRIVES HER
The Day The Ironer Never Stopped
Ask Ana what first hooked her, and she goes straight back to her first few days on the ironer. Four people were feeding the front of the machine, and it ran continuously for hours. Whatever came down the line, she dealt with it quickly, keeping everything moving without interruption.
She had never seen machinery on that scale before. Twelve years later, she can run both stackers on her own, spot stains or items that fail quality checks at a glance, and solve most problems before they slow production. Her experience, attention to detail and quick thinking help keep the line running smoothly every day.
"I would never ever have imagined that this kind of machinery ever existed. I can work on both stackers by myself. I can sort out the issues. I can recognise stains or products that do not meet the criteria. Easy."
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
A Second Family
What Ana values most about CLEAN is that the company puts people first, and that colleagues notice it. She describes the team at Yeovil as a second family, built with everyone who works alongside her.
The mix of backgrounds on the floor is part of the appeal. Ana enjoys working with colleagues from different cultures and watching how well a group of very different people works together.
"I love working with people from different cultures, seeing how we are all different, but at the same time, how well we work together."
A Life Built Alongside A Career
Ana joined CLEAN with her partner. They got married while they were both working here, had their first child, then their second. They have since signed for a mortgage and moved into their first home together with their two children.
Growth And Support
Every Day Brings A New Opportunity
CLEAN has backed Ana over the years with coaching from the site support team, including support that improved her English. From operative skills to site support, she describes colleagues as supportive and protective of one another because the site works as a community.
Her view of the job is straightforward. Every day is a chance to become a better version of yourself, and the only thing standing between a new starter and that chance is a bit of optimism.
What Ana Brings
