Damien Daraujo

Background

About Damien Daraujo

WORK HISTORY Paul James Knitwear - I quickly progressed from a production trainee, to knitting manager and then factory manager. In this time the company grew from 40 employees to 160 with turnover increasing by 400 %. This family company was bought out by NEXT where we continued our investment and growth to such an extent, we were able to buy back the company within 3 years. We went on to win the national knitwear award presented by HRH Princess Anne who also visited our premises in Barwell. Customers included Burberry, Henri Lloyd, Paul Smith, Aquascutum to name drop a few high end businesses. I was a major part of the growth and success of this venture, where I gained valuable skills, from starting on the shop floor, to then valuable management experience. Pollard Boxes – Again I quickly progressed from a production assistant to production and planning manager. This family business rapidly grew from a turnover of 4 million when I joined, to 23 million in 2019. This involved many challenges so we, as a team, quickly gained accreditation for ISO 9001 Quality, ISO 14001 Environmental, ISO 45001 Health and Safety, plus FSC to move the company forward. We doubled the size of the premises, vastly increased the number of employees (currently 300 permanent + temp staff) and then acquired another business in Coalville. The company offers design to manufacture of presentation boxes globally, with a customer base including Chivas Brothers, William Grant, GHD, Boots, Veritiv, Games Workshop, Church’s Shoes and Hotel Chocolat to name a few. Achievements - winning the Luxury Packaging Award in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 for our rigid cardboard and folding box board designs using print, hot stamped foil and spot UV to enhance packaging. Again, I have grown with the company learning all aspects of planning, production, quality, H&S, waste management, staff motivation and HR etc. with all the tools required to achieve this growth. Pusterla-Pollards – Pollards were taken over by Pusterla in August 2019 I am currently the Production planning manager. Pusterla-Pollards – Leicester, Leicestershire – 2019 to present. Pollard Boxes Ltd – Enderby, Leicester – 2007- 2019 Production planning manager - 4 years Production manager – 9 years Production assistant – 2 years Paul James Knitwear Barwell, Hinckley - 1982 – 2007 Factory Manager – 10 years Knitting room Manager – 11 years Assistant knitting room manager – 2 years Production trainee – 2 years