The theme of this year’s International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) is ‘Engineering Heroes’.
To mark INWED, we are profiling our own heroes – the women in engineering here of Pryme Group. Lucy Paterson is a Finance Administration Manager at GA Engineering, part of Pryme Group. Here she shares more about her responsibilities and experience in the world of engineering:
Tell us a bit about you and your job.
I joined the company in 2014 and I am a Finance & Administration Manager based in Dundee. I am involved in all aspects of the business from finance and HR to procurement, QHSE and operations, so my job is incredibly varied.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy the variety that the company and role offer, each day is different. One day can be spent preparing cash flow forecasts, management accounts and budgets while the next may involve managing procurement for engineering projects, participating in QHSE meetings and preparation for accreditation audits. It keeps things interesting!
What does it entail day-to-day?
My day-to-day primarily involves reporting on Key Performance Indicators, cash flow management, Group finance reporting, contract reviews and operations meetings. I frequently communicate with different stakeholders in the business and this engagement allows us to continue to build strong, successful teams.
What has been your career path to this job? What qualifications and/or training are required?
I joined the company a few years after leaving school and with support from Pryme Group I have progressed through professional accountancy qualifications whilst working. I have also been fortunate to receive mentoring from a member of our Senior Leadership Team. The guidance and coaching I’ve been given has been invaluable as my finance team expands.
Have you experienced any challenges in your job? How did you overcome them?
The greatest challenge has been developing a sound understanding of the operations side of the business, focusing on engineering and machining. It’s difference from the finance side of things and I’ve had lots to learn.
To grow my knowledge of the company and sector, I have collaborated with Operations Managers and Managing Directors within the Group to draw on their expertise and experiences. That support has been invaluable.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career such as yours?
To take up as many opportunities as possible when they’re offered to you. Different experiences help grow your knowledge. Being able to learn about other areas of a business give you a more holistic approach to it. Communicating effectively is also extremely advantageous if you are keen to progress your career.