Employee Spotlight

Meet Kasia Zbikowska

"There is no typical day. Planning matters, but so does being ready with a plan B, C, or even D."

Production Manager, Slough

📅 12 Years with CLEAN 🏆 CLEAN Champion of the Year 2025
Kasia Zbikowska

Kasia zbikowska

When production never stops, calm, clarity, and quick thinking are everything. Kasia Zbikowska brings all three, keeping the Slough site moving through whatever each shift brings.

12

Years with CLEAN, growing with the business

10

Years since helping to open the Slough site

3

CLEAN awards: Employee of the Month, Champion of the Quarter, and Champion of the Year

The ROLE

Keeping Production Moving

Kasia sits at the centre of daily operations at the Slough production site. Her role is to connect senior management expectations with what is actually happening on the shop floor, translating plans into action and reacting quickly when things change.

No two shifts look alike. It might be a technical breakdown, a staffing challenge, or an unexpected extra job landing late in the day. Flexibility is essential, and so is keeping a steady head when multiple priorities hit at once.

"Planning matters, but so does being ready with a plan B, C, or even D."

CAREER JOURNEY

A Career Built From Opportunity

Kasia has been with CLEAN for twelve years. Her journey began unexpectedly when she attended an interview to support a friend. That conversation opened the door to a career she had not planned, but one she quickly embraced.

Since then, she has grown alongside the business. One of her proudest moments was helping to open the Slough production site ten years ago. Being part of that project, from the early days through to a fully operating site, is something she still speaks about with pride.

She credits much of her progression to the support of her managers and colleagues. Having people who believe in you, she says, makes a real difference.

LEADERSHIP

Leading Through People

For Kasia, production is about people as much as it is about processes. She enjoys working closely with teams on the shop floor and with senior leaders, and that balance has helped her develop strong leadership and communication skills over the years.

She describes production management as a combination of many elements. Knowledge, experience, and calm decision-making all matter. When things do not go to plan, staying focused and positive helps the team move forward together.

Creating the right working environment is just as important. Small things matter: sharing food, recognising cultural events, and checking in with each other. All of it helps build team spirit and the kind of trust that production relies on.

 

WHAT KASIA BRINGS TO THE FLOOR

Crisis management
Calm under pressure
Team leadership
Operational planning
Cross-team communication
People development

Behind The scenes

Around-The-Clock Commitment

One thing Kasia feels is often misunderstood is the non-stop nature of production. The work never switches off. Someone is always on site, day or night, keeping operations moving so that customers get what they need, when they need it. 

That level of commitment only works with teamwork and trust. During busy periods, especially in summer, collaboration across departments becomes even more important. When everyone pulls together, the pressure becomes much easier to manage.

"Tomorrow will be better. Support from colleagues keeps me motivated, and we get through it together."

Recognition

Championing CLEAN Values

🏆 2025 RECOGNITION

CLEAN CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Awarded to colleagues who consistently live the CLEAN values. Kasia's win followed earlier recognition as Employee of the Month and CLEAN Champion of the Quarter.

Kasia describes the award as a proud moment. She sees it as recognition not just of her own effort, but of the team around her. Their support, she says, is what makes achievements like this possible.

Her advice to others is simple: stay calm under pressure, learn from mistakes, do your best, and keep going.

beyond the shop floor

Life Outside Work

Outside the production site, Kasia enjoys reading historical novels, cooking, and travelling. She is especially known among colleagues for her pistachio cheesecake, which has something of a reputation at the Slough site.

Whether managing a busy shift or supporting new starters, she brings dedication, warmth, and resilience to everything she does.

Kasia's Top Advice

Words to Work By

Stay calm under pressure. Clear heads make better decisions.

Learn from mistakes rather than dwelling on them.

Do your best, and keep going, even on the difficult days.

Wear comfortable shoes and take your time. Production is a marathon, not a sprint.

KASIA'S DAILY REMINDER

"Tomorrow will be better."

A simple thought that has carried her through twelve years of shifts, starts, and fresh beginnings.

Inspired by Kasia's story?

We employ all sorts of people in all sorts of jobs. Explore what a career with CLEAN could look like for you.

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