Noel David Paton

Profile

A self-motivated team player, with good communication and interpersonal skills. Adaptable and able to think creatively particularly under pressure, I have established a reputation as a problem-solver with a 'can-do' approach, and the ability to rise to challenges.

Achievements

June 2004 - October 2005     Valspar (UK) Corporation    Deeside, Flintshire

QC Chemist/QC Supervisor (contract)

Reporting to QA Manager

  • Transferred multi-document Quality Procedures Manual to single-document style with capability for HTML access, to enable fast updating, and reduced reliance on paperwork. Uniform format reduces chances of errors, and makes it more likely that the procedures manual will be used as a resource.
  • Deputised for QA Manager as required.

Jan 2002 - June 2004         Bradite Limited                  Bethesda, Gwynedd

Works Chemist/QC Manager

  • Day to day management of QC function – supervising/training one assistant
  • Updated ISO manual to comply with new standard
  • ntroduced use of SPC for process improvement
  • Introduced use of PC in QC department to track yield variations, etc (preliminary to introducing PC as storage medium for all QC data for SPC, etc purposes, pursuant to ISO requirements)
  • Specified requirements for Main Office PC Network (and act as MIS manager/technician as required), install Network (hardware and software), and continue to provide support for hardware/software and users as required by security/business, and users
  • Reformulation, and redesign of processes of products to ease manufacturing bottlenecks, etc.
  • Supplement QC technician in times of heavy demand, and advise on technical aspects of products to end-use customers (retail shop on-site)
  • Deputise for Technical Director in case of need (holiday, illness, etc.)

1991-2001(July)             Valspar (UK) Corporation         Deeside, Flintshire

(Formerly Dexter Packaging Products)

Works/Production Chemist

  • Improved Raw Material costs $2.5M (~5%) by introduction of alternative suppliers/sources and in-house resin production  (awarded President’s Award for Excellence 1995 as a result).
  • Improved Deeside off-spec material/product stocked from peak of $250,000 to $0 by programme of controlled re-work within BS5750/ISO9000 system.
  • Improved production of off-specification material from 2.5% to <0.5% by introduction of in-process controls and improved manufacturing processes.
  • Increased Resin plant capacity by 50% and Paint plant capacity by 15% by introduction of process modifications reducing cycle time and optimising yields.
  • Acted as on-site ‘IT expert’ for routine troubleshooting/advice – specified and implemented Labelling system for products, complying with legal requirements throughout Europe. Implemented and maintained CHIP-compliant database for labelling and MSDS preparation. Specified and administered Laboratory NetWare network prior to implementation of site-wide LAN. Competent/expert user of variety of software including MS Office suite, Oracle, Crystal Reports, DataEase.
  • Improved Singapore off-spec material/product stocked from peak of $400,000 to $50,000 over 3 years by controlled work-off both in Singapore and Deeside. Reduced production of off-specification water-based material from >35% to <2% by introduction of in-process controls and improved manufacturing processes and procedures, spent approx. 6 months total in Singapore during this period.
  • Improved Tournus (France) Resin Plant cycle times and off-specification production significantly by re-iterative fault-finding on resin plant, and optimising processes under severe constraints of system software and hardware.  Managed facility on departure of incumbent until replacement could be found (4 months) – continued to provide support on ad-hoc basis, and holiday cover for new manager.
  • On request of South Africa JV, visited to assess production of materials locally, to identify source of major problem – identified by SPC as supplier (toll) manufacturing problem, reducing significantly the company’s liabilities.
  • Introduced to Deeside facility a number of new (Valspar and Dexter) product technologies, with 100% FTM, both in resin and paint plant, and contributed to significant reduction in manufacturing costs by optimising methodologies.
Have worked for short periods in the following countries:- USA, Norway, France, South Africa, Singapore.

1989-1991                     Tremco/Tretol                                 Slough, Berks

R & D Senior Chemist.

  • Developed new low toxicity version of coal tar/polyurethane waterproofing membrane, and took through project through to BBA approval.
  • Developed novel anti-slump formulation for two-pack polyurethane waterproofing membrane for vertical application.
  • Developed lower toxicity single-pack polyurethane primer for concrete, enabling wider end-user application, in association with Supplier.

1974-1989                        ICI Paints Division                           Slough, Berks

Laboratory Technician

Worked in a number of areas:-

  • Automotive refinish - alkyd, 2-pack, and acrylic
  • Automotive OEM, electrocoat, primer/surfacer and topcoat
  • Aircraft – developing replacement for –NCO coatings
  • High solids technologies
  • Polymer research – NAD, Microgel, Low MW resin technologies.

Education

1975-1981 Slough College of Higher Education, Slough, Berks

HNC Chemistry

GRSC (Part 1)

St Edward’s School, Oxford

§ ‘A’ levels:-

Maths

Physics

Chemistry

§ ‘O’ Levels:-

Elementary Maths

English Language

French

Latin

Advanced Maths

English Literature

German

Physics-with-Chemistry

Further training

DataEase          (database software)

Prisym              (Labelling design system)

SafeMix            (MSDS management software)

ISO 14000    Auditor - Internal

ISO 9000      Auditor – Internal

SPC             Internal course (Valspar)

Driving

Full UK driving license

Full No-Claims bonus

Interests

Computing (achieved recognition as 'Microsoft Most Valued Professional - Win9x' for 2002-3, 2003-4, 2004-5, 2005-6, and 2006-7), see  MVP Program - Introduction,

reading Science Fiction,

amateur dramatics

Copyright © 2003-2009, Noel Paton

This page was last updated 19/04/2009