Celebrating Billy Read: 10 Years of Dedication and Achievement

This December marks a significant milestone for one of our valued team members, Billy Read, as he celebrates 10 years of service with Warren.

From temporary placement to senior leadership

Billy’s story began at the age of 19 when he joined Warren through the Job Centre Work Placement Scheme. Initially a temporary 8-week placement, his talent and work ethic quickly earned him a permanent role as a Goods in Operative at our Fison Way site. This foundational role equipped Billy with in-depth knowledge of materials and components, laying the groundwork for his future progression.

Four years later, Billy transitioned into the role of Purchasing & IT Assistant, under the mentorship of Ian Nixon. In this position, he built and nurtured strong relationships with key suppliers and developed vital negotiation skills. By 2022, his hard work and expertise were recognised with a promotion to Senior Buyer.

Leading the purchasing team

In his current role, Billy oversees our purchasing team, managing over £4 million in company spend each year. This includes handling more than 7,000 purchase orders and 23,000 line items. His role requires a delicate balance – managing cost, quality, and delivery timelines to ensure the seamless flow of goods for manufacturing. Space and cash flow management add to the challenge, but Billy approaches it all with precision.

Passionate about continuous improvement

Billy’s technical mindset and passion for engineering extend beyond his work. Recently, he completed his ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management and introduced an Approved Supplier Onboarding Process, a vital step forward in meeting client requirements.

Thank you, Billy!

Billy’s 10-year journey is an inspiring example of what can be achieved through hard work, curiosity and a commitment to excellence. His willingness to help others, improve processes, and tackle challenges head-on has made a lasting impact on our team and business.

Thank you, Billy, for an incredible decade of dedication and achievement. Here’s to your next 10 years – we’re excited to see what you’ll accomplish!