Employee Profile

Name: Felipe F.
Title: Site Continuous Improvement Lead
Career Area: Engineering & Operations
Location: Lorena – SP – Brazil
Education: Chemical Engineering (BSc) – University of São Paulo

“You can have the best training on continuous improvement, but they are just tools if you don’t have the right people.”


As we work with changes (new procedures, methods, tools), we need to convince people that new is better, which is difficult if you focus just on the tools.

Describe your work responsibilities and the importance of your role.

I am responsible for leading the implementations of continuous improvement and reliability excellence programs for the cocoa and chocolate business in Brazil. As Cargill is always looking for more efficient processes, my role is strategically important to define what tools and projects should be implemented.

Describe your day-to-day activities and the skills needed to perform well.

My daily job is to review the progress of our projects, deal with the sites’ operational leaders to negotiate resources, report generated value, and look for new opportunities within the process to keep improving. To do that, I have to know all the tools in my area that Cargill recommends, and have good relationships with our plant team. After all, they are my customers.

Describe your career path. Where did you start and how did you get to where you are today?

I started at Cargill in 2014, as an engineering trainee. Then I was transferred to the new continuous improvement team as a process engineer. In 2016, I was promoted to supervisor of this area.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

The most satisfying thing is when I see behavior changes, especially from those who did not believe in the value of the project.

Why did you choose to join Cargill and what keeps you here? In other words, how has a career at Cargill helped you to thrive?

Cargill is a huge company, but it is similar to a small business in that it treats its employees with dignity and provides hands-on development. Cargill has provided me with a development plan as I receive new trainings and challenges.

What advice would you give someone interested in a career at Cargill like yours?

If you are interested in developing your career, do not select your challenges when choosing a big city to live or the goals that you feel more comfortable.
 

Share an interesting tidbit about yourself such as hobbies, volunteerism, favorite foods or activities, accomplishments inside or outside of work.

When I came to Bahia, I found new sports and hobbies. Nowadays, I run every day, ride on mountain bike trails on the weekends, and swim at the beach sometimes.