Meet Melbec: Chris D
In our next ‘Meet Melbec’ entry, we’re highlighting the wonderful Chris D!
How did you come to work at Melbec Microbiology?
After 12 years working as a baker, at age 29, I decided I wanted to try something new. The skills I developed as a baker were transferable to a lab aid role, as this role was heavily focussed on following preparation instructions and ensuring high level of accuracy. Being in the food industry I had been used to working cleanly and hygienically.
What is your daily focus/role at Melbec Microbiology?
My daily focus is leading my team to effectively meet the demands of the lab, this can involve anything from moving staff around to ensure all areas are covered, working within the prep and lab areas myself, and supporting with stability testing in the stability lab. As well as this I maintain and repair equipment, organise contractors to ensure we are always compliant with our ISO 17025 accreditation and communicate with clients to ensure we always deliver the best possible service.
What has been your favourite/most exciting project to work on throughout your career?
Developing and producing our own in house neutraliser has been the highlight of my time at Melbec. I could write an extensive list of things I have favoured, however, with the cost of consumables going up and the general costs of running the business going up, this project has saved the company a huge amount of money, meaning we can sustain our cost-effective service for clients, whilst also retaining staff with competitive salaries.
What has been your proudest moment at Melbec Microbiology so far?
My proudest moment at Melbec was the repair of the humidity chambers. Using ingenuity, I was able to repair two humidifiers, at a very low cost. This was instead of replacing them which would have cost upwards of 3k, cost saving aside, this was a satisfying fix that always stays with me. As a second proudest moment, development of the stability lab and growth within the department enabled me to promote one of my technicians to a well-deserved senior role. This was not only a proud moment, but a heart-warming one, to reward an employee for their hard work.
What do you love most about working at Melbec Microbiology?
My job role is extremely versatile. I carry out new tasks everyday which pushes me to be at the peak of my performance. Melbec is a friendly place to work, being able to have pleasant and interesting conversations with everyone across the company is something I hold dear.
What are you most looking forward to?
I came to Melbec when we were a micro company, I have been with Melbec throughout the pandemic and have helped in any way I can to drive the business to where we are today. I am very much looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Melbec and how the business will develop moving forward.
