We speak to Gavin Sharman, Development Manager (Biscuits) about being part of the Weetabix Family for 25 years and counting, and why taste, health and nutrition underpin everything we do at the Weetabix Food Company.
What’s your role?
I’m a Product Development Manager for Weetabix. I ensure all our recipe development work for any products we produce is completed to the right standard and in time for when it is needed.
Taste, health, and nutrition underpins everything we do, and this involves evaluating new recipes in our test kitchens, firstly on pilot equipment and eventually through to full production in one of our factories.
How long have you been at Weetabix?
I joined Weetabix over 25 years ago as a graduate trainee. I applied because I thought it was a great opportunity to move into an unknown area and join a research and development team where I could apply and use my degree.
What’s it like to work at Weetabix?
My highlights whilst working at Weetabix include the great people and the opportunities to experience other business areas. I work for an organisation that is keen to continuously improve and be able to really make a difference at Breakfast tables across the UK.
It’s really satisfying to see a product on a shelf of a supermarket or in someone’s home that I have worked on.
What do you most enjoy about working at Weetabix?
“Variety is the spice of life” … I enjoy navigating the technical challenges and problem solving I see personally and across the wider team for the work we deliver.
Having the opportunity to make a difference is a real motivator for me and is why I have and continue to, enjoy working at Weetabix. Through times of change, the ethos here has always been to come together to deliver positive outcomes for Weetabix and achieving this with great colleagues makes it even more satisfying.
What opportunities have you had whilst at Weetabix?
I have been fortunate during my time at Weetabix to experience different aspects of what makes the business tick, which I believe has given me a more rounded view as I approach the “day to day” in the technical team.
Some of my personal highlights include undertaking a further higher-level degree sponsored by the company, being able to work with international teams in innovation, driving nutritional change across our brands and the cross-functional team working to address business challenges. These I feel have enriched my working time and changed me for the better.
What do you love doing outside of work?
Outside of work, most of my weekends are sport orientated cheering on my kids from the sidelines as they play for the local football and rugby teams. When we can, we love to travel as a family and are never happier than when climbing mountains in the UK or further abroad. This is made even better when the sun shines and there is a beer at the end…
