Employee Spotlight: Growth Opportunity Provides Intern-to-Supervisor Path
Employee Spotlight: Growth Opportunity Provides Intern-to-Supervisor Path
In his 13 years at Crane Aerospace & Electronics, it’s never been a dull day for Alvaro Collazos.
“We learn new things every single day,” said Alvaro. “It’s a fast-paced environment, so we deal with different situations all the time. It’s supply chain, so it’s never boring.”
Alvaro first started as a Supply Chain intern at Crane A&E while he was pursuing his college degree in business with a concentration in supply chain. After almost a year, he was hired full-time as a Buyer I. Alvaro called the transition “very smooth” and appreciated his manager for being “a great mentor” and preparing him well for the role.
Now a Procurement Supervisor, Alvaro credits Crane A&E’s employee training programs for his career growth. “I've been taking additional trainings and courses like negotiation skills classes, leadership trainings, and some of the APICS (Association for Supply Chain Management) courses to help me grow in my career,” he explained. “These opportunities have allowed me to develop and apply my leadership skills.”
He emphasizes the importance of a step-by-step approach in learning and career advancement. "Don’t skip steps in your learning process," he said. "If you skip steps, you may not be ready for the next phase of responsibility. Life-long learning is a must." Alvaro’s dedication to continuous education has been a key factor in his success at Crane A&E.
Armed with the skills acquired through Crane A&E’s training programs and his own commitment to learning, Alvaro plays a crucial role in acquiring key commodities, such as machine parts, hybrid parts, electronic components, and hardware, to support the company's operations. His responsibilities include negotiating with suppliers, ensuring procurement processes align with company standards, and implementing strategies to optimize supply chain efficiency.
— Alvaro Collazos, Procurement Supervisor
He knew a management role posed fresh challenges, so his decision to apply for the supervisor position was not made lightly. However, Crane A&E provided him with “the tools needed to succeed as a manager.” He appreciates the unwavering support from his managers, who encouraged him to “be part of the different decision-making points that are essential for the team.”
One significant opportunity for growth came when Alvaro was assigned to lead a Kaizen event – a Crane Business System-adopted team activity that leads to breakthrough results or processes. “I supported all the different value streams here as a buyer to gain experience and knowledge with the various commodities,” he said.
Alvaro believes Crane A&E excels at recognizing the efforts of its employees. Reflecting on his career, he highlighted receiving a Crane A&E Excellence Award for helping the company find a replacement component on the Boeing 737 program. For him, it was a major career milestone. “I was not a senior buyer back then. I was still a Buyer I or Buyer II, so I was still learning,” Alvaro shared. “When you get that type of recognition at that level, it makes you so happy. I will never forget that moment.”
Interacting with colleagues from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds further enriches Alvaro's experience at Crane A&E, making his role both enjoyable and constantly evolving. “That’s why I like coming to work,” he said.
“Crane is a great company that offers so many opportunities for growth in your professional career,” said Alvaro. “The culture here is so fun and it is a very enjoyable place to work.”