Programming a Career in the Machine Shop!
Ever wondered what it’s like to turn blocks of metal into real working parts? Or oversee an entire team making the gears and gadgets behind massive machines? That’s exactly what a Machine Shop Foreman like Daniel does and it stemmed from his love for metal tech during school.
Daniel didn’t have it all figured out at school (who does?), but by saying yes to work experience and trying things hands-on, he discovered a career he never expected.
He now leads the machine shop team when manufacturing the intricate parts that make up large scale farming equipment, at Reid and Harrison in Matamata.
Daniel Menzies
Machine Shop Foreman
FYI – these are the parts Daniel refers to making
Daniel’s Advice for Young People
“Prior to joining the workforce young people can be a little bit oblivious, and it is not until you get hands on experience that things start to fall into place and you view things differently.”
A chat with Daniel about his role
What is a machine shop foreman?
As a machine shop foreman I work across the shop floor, running machines, and making small parts which are required to build our final product. As a foreman my job involves running jobs, managing teams, prioritising jobs, ordering materials, maintaining equipment, and communicating between other departments.
Why did you pursue a career in fabrication?
During high school I always enjoyed hands on subjects. Metal tech quickly became my favourite, but I found that I didn’t enjoy welding so much but enjoyed working on the lathe.
I always tried to do every project I could in my metal tech class, trying out new methods, learning new things and overcoming challenges. The whole idea of turning a block of steel into a final product is fascinating to me. I discovered I actually was good at this type of work.
How did you become machine shop foreman?
When I left school I didn’t know what I wanted to do and my friend at the time worked at Reid and Harrison and suggested I send my CV through.
I started out in a Machining apprenticeship, which took me 4 years to complete. Once I completed this I progressed through positions at Reid and Harrison. I gained more responsibility and was given more independence on projects. Eventually my manager, who I was working under, ended up leaving so I was offered the role as machine shop foreman.
What do you love about being a machine shop foreman?
I love being able to create cool intricate pieces of work. Particularly where I am given a drawing and given the freedom to figure it out. I will spend the following hours problem solving, writing the program and producing the final product.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Becoming foreman was a whole new ball park, I had to not only listen to instruction but instead be the one giving instruction. Reid and Harrison put me through the Dale Carnegie course which was every Tuesday over 4 weeks. This course developed my leadership and interpersonal skills which I could apply to my work.
Has there been a stand out project you worked on?
One of the most challenging projects I worked on was a metre long shaft with all sorts of intricate dimensions and shapes. Over 30cm of this length I had a tolerance that was less than half the thickness of a strand of hair. So essentially my measurements couldn’t be wrong by any bigger or smaller than half the thickness of your hair or else the whole thing was wrong. This definitely was one of the most challenging projects I worked on but at the same time one of the most rewarding. I was on my apprenticeship at the time and was thrown in the deep end, but I managed to not mess up any of them which was a great accomplishment.
How do you approach work life balance?
This is an area that I do not do the best in. When I first started out I was aiming to buy a house, so was working long hours and this was my main focus. Now that I have achieved this goal I am working harder to balance work and personal life. I have progressed to machine shop foreman which I am happy with, so I am able to dedicate more time to work life balance.
Maintaining relationships, friendships, and hobbies was something I stopped doing but am trying to pick back up on now. As R&H is a family owned business they value their employees work life balance and encourage us to find a happy medium in this space.
What does your next career progression look like?
My boss is a great example of career progression at Reid and Harrison. He started on the shop floor and has worked his way up to now being part of the management team as the factory manager. I would be keen to progress in a similar way, into higher positions and gain more responsibility.
Daniel Menzies
Former Matamata College Student
Daniel’s Industry Insights
What skills does a machine operator need?
Coming into this job there are no skills that are make or break because everything can be learnt on the job. Over my time at Reid and Harrison I have learnt how to write programs for machines, and use precision measuring equipment such as a micrometre and vernier.
The skills in machine operation all come with time and learning from those around you. All you need to do is ask a lot of questions, make an effort to learn and figure out how to do the job.
What kind of person suits a machine operator role?
I always thought to succeed in this role you need to be logically minded as it involves working with numbers. So an ability to grasp concepts of maths is often important, however being in the workforce I have realised there is more to succeeding then just being good at maths. Having a willingness to work, being eager to learn, having a good personal drive, absorbing all information that is thrown your way and just showing up on time every day is going to set you up for success
What is your advice for someone new to the workforce?
Give it your all and apply yourself to your work. I also suggest gaining work experience, so coming in for a few days and see if you like it. Often you won’t know if something is for you if you don’t try it out.
What school subjects are important in machine operation?
The key subjects to take are maths, metal tech and wood work. These will give you the skills and knowledge to expand on once you begin working.
“Know what you want and figure out how to get there. If you don’t know what you want you end up wandering aimlessly in the dark.”
Daniel’s Career Advice
How can students prepare for the workforce while in school?
I think gaining some work experience is key, I personally worked in a café while I was in school. Initially I was deciding between my two passions of cooking and metal work and had my mind set of being a chef or an engineer. I was able to get experience in a café while in school and it quickly became apparent that I did not want to be a chef.
What has been the biggest learning curve for you?
A massive part of this role is problem solving. I often am given a drawing and a final product and have to work through the whole process and figure out how the system works. This involves everything from the steps, processes required and taking into account material hardness and how it can be transformed into the final product.
What interpersonal skills have you learnt?
I have learnt communication, time management, and project management. A big side of a foreman role is being able to maintain professional relationships. This meant I had to develop my ability to hold a conversation with people I do not know. This skills benefited other areas of my work as I was able to communicate a problem effectively and streamline the process.
What do you wish you knew leaving school?
Never be afraid to ask questions, when I didn’t ask questions I ended up crashing the machines. It is difficult to hide when you have broken an expensive machine. You then have to do the walk of shame to tell your boss you crashed it, and at that point it would have been less embarrassing to ask the questions upfront.
Reid & Harrison
Engineering Kiwi Solutions for Over 60 Years
Reid & Harrison is a family-owned New Zealand business based in Matamata, known for creating smart, reliable solutions to manage liquid and solid waste on farms. They are the manufacturers of the well known brand Yardmaster. With over 60 years in business, they’ve become a leader in effluent (wastewater) systems, helping farms run cleaner and more efficiently.
Started by passionate engineers, Reid & Harrison is more than just machines. They focus on innovation, problem-solving, and keeping Kiwi farms running smoothly.
Their work extends beyond New Zealand with products exported to a number of countries, including Australia, Ireland, and Chile.
Thinking about a career in engineering, trades, or manufacturing? Reid & Harrison offers a range of opportunities to gain experience in this industry. This is a great local business where you can work with cutting-edge tools, gain hands-on skills, and be part of a tight-knit team.
Head over to their website to find out more
Take a look at Daniel’s career journey
