Employee Spotlight: an interview with our Operations Director, Cathy Keane

Operational excellence has become more than just efficiency and in a world of rapid change, it’s about innovation, resilience and empowering people. Our Operations Director Cathy Keane, plays a pivotal role in driving transformation across the business. We caught up with her to find out more about her vision, her innovative strategy and the trends she sees impacting and shaping the operations function.

Introduction
Q: Cathy, can you briefly describe your role and what you think sets Central Pharma apart in the pharmaceutical packaging space?

A: I oversee and optimise the entire production process at Central Pharma, ensuring we adhere to stringent industry standards such as GMP and FDA guidelines. What truly sets us apart is our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement - from investing in our people through lean training, to adopting new technologies that enhance efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Vision
Q: What excites you the most about leading operations in today’s rapidly changing business landscape?

A: The pace of change is incredible, and that’s what excites me most. We’re in a period where technology, automation, and data-driven insights are transforming how we operate. At Central Pharma, we’re embracing this evolution through ongoing lean training for our teams, empowering everyone to contribute to smarter, faster, and more efficient ways of working. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our people grow and our customers benefit directly from that focus.

Q: How do you define operational excellence at Central Pharma?

A: For me, operational excellence means creating a culture where continuous improvement is second nature. It’s not just about hitting KPIs - it’s about empowering every employee to identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, and deliver outstanding value to our customers. Our lean initiatives are key to this, ensuring efficiency, precision, and quality at every stage.

Innovation & Strategy
Q: With digital transformation widely used across industries, how is your team using technology to streamline processes and deliver value?

A: Technology has been transformative for us. We’ve integrated AI tools into our operations and customer service systems. This has allowed us to improve response times, forecast production needs more accurately, and provide our customers with real-time insights. AI also helps us identify trends in quality and performance data - turning information into actionable improvements that enhance the overall customer experience.

Q: How do you balance efficiency with adaptability when it comes to supply chain resilience?

A: Flexibility is key. We’ve built a lean, responsive supply chain model that prioritises agility without compromising on quality. By combining lean principles with AI-driven forecasting, we’re able to anticipate challenges, optimise inventory, and ensure continuity for our customers, even when global conditions fluctuate.

Leadership & Culture
Q: How do you inspire and empower your team for large-scale delivery?

A: I believe in leading by example and fostering a culture of ownership. Our lean training programmes play a huge role in this - equipping staff at all levels with the tools and mindset to take initiative and make informed decisions. When people feel trusted and capable, they deliver their best work, and that’s when large-scale projects succeed seamlessly.

Q: Your leadership style in one word?

A: Empowering.

Q: Most exciting project you’ve worked on?

A: Our ongoing digital transformation journey. Implementing AI and automation into our production and customer service systems has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing how technology can elevate both our internal efficiency and the customer experience is a real highlight.

Future Outlook
Q: What trends do you believe will most impact operations leaders over the next 3-5 years?

A: The integration of AI and machine learning will continue to reshape manufacturing and supply chain management. Sustainability will also be a major focus - customers are looking for partners who combine innovation with responsibility. At Central Pharma, we’re already taking steps to future-proof our operations through smart technology, data-driven decision-making, and ongoing investment in our people through lean and leadership training.

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