Will Wiebe, Operations Manager

Clients are first

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"I love walking into a meeting and putting together a presentation and showing how we can save the customer money. That is our primary focus. I thrive on the ability to present and really show them a succession plan with Acetek and how Acetek can contribute to their current operations.

"I like showing customers that they do come first. And I just love putting that cherry on the cake, or that mint on the pillow to make sure our customers are happy."

Images from my workplace

Where I work

I work for Acetek Composites in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We repair and manufacture composite components and structures for large aircraft such as the Air Bus, and smaller tier two and tier three planes including regional jets and private aircraft. Basically, we fix the sections of an airplane that are damaged during flight operations.

I am the Quality and Operations Manager. I oversee the work done in our shop. I also work with our corporate clients to make sure their needs are being met by our work.

Big clients

Acetek employs 15 people so we would be considered a small company. But our primary customers are big. We serve Air Canada, USA 3000 and some larger companies in Winnipeg that transfer work to us from other airlines.

Our business edge is cost efficiency in composite repair. We provide our clients with aircraft parts that are even better, in some cases, than the original. That can reduce their costs in the long run.

Certified new technology

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"Acetek Composites is a technology-focused organization that has done a lot of research in electron beam curing, which is actually throwing nuclear rays at a composite panel to cure it out in ten minutes as opposed to ten hours.

"We're the first in the world to certify that technology, working closely with Boeing and Lockheed on those types of projects. We're a North America player right now and we will be expanding to the Europe markets."

Work mostly indoors

Our work is primarily indoors. We're dealing with aircraft parts that must be manufactured to precise specifications. Inside our shop, there's a ‘clean room' in which we can control the temperature, humidity and air quality.

We do provide a service for ‘on wing' repair. We'll actually fix aircraft right on the runway. We do whatever it takes to get that aircraft to pristine serviceable condition. But 95 percent of our work is done in-house at Acetek.

Team effort

Acetek is a very tight shop. Early every morning, I get together with the production people. Then I talk to the materials people to iron out any wrinkles.

It sounds like a lot of meetings but it's important that everyone feel involved and excited. Each of us has to understand what the customer needs so we can work as a team to deliver. When everyone knows the score, each can hold the other accountable and deliver their respective tasks.

When all departments are in sync, it makes my job a lot easier. It's awesome when everyone pulls together.

Father’s influence

My dad is a pilot for Air Canada, so that definitely contributed to my decision to pursue this line of work. I also have several aunts and uncles working in the aerospace industry, from accountants to mechanics.

I always remember my dad saying to me, "You have to contribute positively to society. If you do that, good things start happening." He served in the Air Force where he learned discipline and the ability to overcome any adverse circumstance. He taught me those qualities and to respect the people I work with.

Education first

With my parents, education always came first. Education gives you discipline and the ability to think logically and critically. Education is also essential in learning to commit to something that will bring you results down the road.

My parents would tell us as kids that you have to put aside your own feelings about what you're being taught, because a child or a teen can't see everything in proper context. Algebra may actually be important in your life, but you can't understand that when you're young.

Had to learn patience

I joined Air Cadets when I was 11. You're not supposed to be enrolled until age 12, but I weaseled my way in. I just couldn't wait.

It wasn't long before I noticed the other kids were getting promoted. Many had joined at age 16 and only had another three years before they were too old for Cadets. But I was frustrated because they were advancing and I wasn't. Two years, three years went by and I was still junior man in the squadron. I had to understand patience would get me the higher rank.

Be true to yourself

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"My parents have always told me, honesty is the best policy. When you don't know something, ask, don't just react. I think it's critical that you are honest and you aim for the truth in all you do.

"Number two, you have to be self motivating and you have the ability to pick up when you fall down, dust off your knees and continue on going.

"And the other thing is self-confidence. I think it's really good to have self-confidence in all that you do. You definitely want to show that you're confident in what you're providing. I think it's really important  to have self-confidence"

Taking time for family

In a perfect world there would be eight hours at work, eight hours with family and eight hours to sleep. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. I do have to work some Saturdays and Sundays. But I can also take an extra couple of days off during the next week to spend with my family.

I'm married with a 10-month-old son and these are exciting times for us as new parents. You have to let the job stay at the workplace and go home with a smile, as children don't understand a frown.

Create to-do list

I definitely like tracking what I do. I like having goals and holding people accountable and myself accountable. So I think it's critical every single day to create a ‘to-do' list.

It may sound elementary but I find it's an excellent tool to keep me focused through the day and prevent drifting into other items that aren't critical. And at the end of the day, there's great satisfaction in looking at what's crossed off and knowing I've accomplished those tasks.

Daily meeting important

My first meeting of the day is the production meeting. This is where I find out what resources are available and what potential bottlenecks are emerging. I need to know who is away so I can assign an acceptable workload to the staff members who are ready to go!

At the production meeting we generally discuss three areas: resources, improvements and risks. Sometimes it takes five minutes and sometimes we're at it for an hour. But it's critical to set up the next 24 hours effectively.

Customer service update

Our clients usually want a morning update on their products. By 9:30 each morning, I'm calling customers to say what stage we're at and when we'll be able to deliver. Sometimes it may be a follow-up on products and services already provided or a quotation in the making.

I believe it's essential for our customers to know exactly what we're doing for them and when. Setting expectations is an important tool that eliminates surprises at the eleventh hour.

Working lunches

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"I spend a lot of lunches out with customers, lunches out with partners. And I also like taking key staff members and even general staff members out for lunch.

"It just shows that everybody's important. It doesn't matter if you're a customer or the guy doing the maintenance. It doesn't matter who you are, we still have time to sit down for a lunch, and you have a sandwich and get back at it. It's really great, and shows that I care about what they're doing and their personal life as well."

Flexible hours

My schedule is 100 percent flexible. If I have a big order coming in Friday and need to work through the weekend, I'll probably take Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off. It's important for the employees to see that I sacrifice my weekend for the job, too.

Sometimes I work from home, especially when drafting sensitive documents or financial reports. You don't want anybody looking over your shoulder.

Enjoy success

We celebrate our successes. On a Friday afternoon, or even a Wednesday, we'll go for pizza. The whole team gets together and it's a high-five culture. When you finish the big order that you've been working on for a month, it's time to kick back and celebrate.

I also get a lot of enjoyment from talking to people on the shop floor. Sometimes a quick conversation can lead to some new tools or technology that allows us to do a better job. I thrive on that.

Great work culture

I like the ability to advance my career and Acetek recognizes and supports that. It's really exceptional here.

The company realizes the value of continuing education and a flexible time working atmosphere. There's just a great overall culture with a lot of trust and respect for each employee. It doesn't matter if you're working as a manager, CFO or a line guy. There's an open-door policy for all. Everyone has access to the same opportunities.

Small vs. big

The drawback of working for a small company is I don't have the benefits a large corporation can offer. That can make it hard for me to attract new employees - especially experienced workers.

Big companies have guaranteed pension plans, profit-sharing and all sorts of extra benefits packages. Small companies rarely can compete with that. So you give up something in order to get the great work environment that small companies can provide.

Walk off work stress

There is some stress in my job. Some times the pressure is heavier than other times.

When it gets too much, I go for a walk or a drive, whatever I need to do to clear my mind. To keep working harder at a problem where you've come to a brick wall isn't accomplishing anything, it's actually giving off a negative pulse throughout the entire organization. So I have to just walk away and reset. It's funny how that works. When I come back fresh, the answer's right there. I just have to see it with a different mindset.

Youth barrier

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"Definitely one barrier being in the mid-to-higher management that I'm in right now, is the age.

"I often feel and it's been explained to me that when I walk into a meeting room, you're already two pegs down on the ladder, you are the underdog, which I don't mind sometimes, because I like being the underdog. By the time you leave that room, you have to be on an equal playing field with everybody in that room, they're 40 to 60 years old, it doesn't matter.

"Yes, you see that I'm young; however, let's put that on the side and let's focus on the task on hand."

Road to success

I have an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering* diploma through Stevenson Aviation, in South Port, Manitoba. I completed quality training through the University of Manitoba and also through Red River.

Acetek has provided a lot of on-the-job training. We're covered through Manitoba Aerospace Human Resources which funds training programs. I've been here for six years and the company has allowed me to learn every job in every section. That experience has helped me become a successful manager.

*Note: For more information about education and training for Will's job, see Education in USEFUL LINKS.

Career high

My greatest career accomplishment is attaining the Person Responsible for Maintenance certification through Transport Canada.This involved an examination, interview and other qualifiers.

I also had to get over the age barrier. I had to show them that I am capable of certifying aeronautical components to go into flight. I'm proud of that achievement and also of doing an excellent job thereafter.

School slacker

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"I didn't see the goal, the light at the end of the tunnel until about grade eleven.

"I was more interested school lunch time. I didn't find math exciting, I didn't find geography exciting. Science was not my interest. I liked power mechanics; I liked doing the automotive work. Carpentry classes, I enjoyed those. But when it came to the academic section of it, I just had no interest in showing up at all.

"And then, once I set my mind to what college I needed to get in, the pieces of the puzzle fell together."

Fear of university

I was definitely concerned about university. I thought I wasn't smart enough. I barely passed math and science. I found it very overwhelming.

Now after tackling university courses, I see there was no reason for my doubt. I found I just had to be resourceful. Do extra assignments, review classes, take extra notes, ask questions.

Don't be afraid. Get out there, be the first in, be at the front of the class. Show you care to be there. Once instructors see that, they will give you that extra help as needed. I think that was critical for me. 

Learned from all jobs

I had jobs when I was a teenager where I thought, "Wow, that isn't for me." But you can still learn something from cutting grass or working in a warehouse downtown. I learned how people are treated.

I learned most people have a lot more to offer than what they're giving at work. Some people are pretty negative but they might have other obligations and responsibilities that are higher on their priority list. And a career isn't on their top three things right now and that's fine. So it gave me that respect for that level of work.

Business future

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"My ultimate goal right now is to own my own business and definitely be an entrepreneur. In what, doing what, I don't know yet, but it's definitely a career path to go on ... to keep aiming towards that so that you keep on taking more and more responsibilities in your day-to-day tasks, which is just building up your toolbox to be able to conquer that higher goal."

Family first

I talk a lot about building my career and what I'd like to achieve in business, but my core focus in life is to make a difference in my son's life. I want to be an excellent role model for him, just like my dad has been to me.

I want to be a good, loving husband to my wife and take care of my family. That's my number one goal.

When the workdays get me down, I know we can pack up in the car and head out camping or just sit in a park somewhere and what's important in life will come back into perspective.

Future education

Education is definitely in my future. I've never stopped school and the next three years will be no exception.

I'll be applying for the Strategic Leadership Program* of the Certified Management Accountants (CMA). That will be a huge milestone for me. To be accepted into that program is critical in my development. Once you get into CMA you can move into Business Commerce and a Masters Degree in business. My wife and I were talking the other night about setting a goal of being age 35 and having a PhD in business.

*Note: For more information, see Certified Management Accountants in USEFUL LINKS.

On and up

This aerospace composite industry is just getting going. The competence of Manitoba companies is growing. We're talking now about new technology like bio-fibre material that may create a lot of jobs in the next two to ten years. The composite world is getting bigger.

Acetek will play a leading role by partnering with companies, which will allow economical growth and value-added services/products through sharing of costs and capital investments. And our technology is going to make us an international player.

Many paths to choose

They say you change careers several times through your life and I'm starting to believe that. I just have to decide what I want to be when I grow up, if that day ever comes!

When I was young I wanted to be a pilot, just like my dad. As I got older I realized I was better working with my hands. I got into the aerospace industry to build and repair. Then I moved into management. Now I'm becoming more acquainted with the financial side of things.

I'm truly fortunate because there are thousands of opportunities in this industry.

Job Market Info

The links below take you to federal and regional government information on employment, education, salary ranges and long range prospects for this career.

The official title for Will's occupation is "Manufacturing Manager" and the NOC* code is 0911.

Human Resources and Social Development

Employment Prospects - Labour Market Information

*Each occupation has an official name and unique number called the 'National Occupation Classification' code or 'NOC'.

Education

Useful High School subjects

- Industrial Arts
- Business
- English (Communication)

*Source: JobFutures.ca

For those out of school, Adult Learning Centres can help you get or upgrade your high school diploma, including adding subjects that are required for work or further education. All Manitobans are normally entitled to four free courses.

Below are links to various programs and courses that will help you on the path to a career as a Manufacturing Manager.

Stevenson Aerospace and Aviation Training Centre

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Certified Management Accountants

Strategic Leadership Program

University of Manitoba

I.H. Asper School of Business: Supply Chain Management, Operations Management
Business Administration
Faculty of Engineering
Certificate in Quality Management

University of Winnipeg

Business and Administration

Skills

The most important Skills for Manufacturing Manager and other related occupations are:

- Leadership
- Business management
- Entrepreneurial skills
- Communication skills

There is not yet an Essential Skills* profile for this occupation.

*For more information on Essential Skills and their importance, go to: Essential Skills.

Professional Resources

Manitoba Aerospace Human Resources Coordinating Committee (MAHRCC)
Works with industry, educational institutions and governments to provide a trained workforce for Manitoba's aerospace sector by creating connections between various schools and local companies, developing courses, apprenticeship programs and ongoing training for those currently working in the industry

Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) - Manitoba Division
Canada¹s leading business network and senior business association with established alliances between universities, colleges and training organizations throughout Canada, ensuring the availability of adequately skilled labour

Red River Technical Vocational Area (RRTVA)
Involves five school divisions, each offering different technical-vocational courses that are shared among them, including production of manufactured goods, research and development of products as well as the engineering, production, sales and support of the products and providing students with exposure to many different careers along the way

CareerTrek
A not-for-profit organization that provides innovative educational programming for young people with perceived barriers to entering post-secondary education

Related Careers

Facility Operation and Maintenance Managers (NOC 072)

Supervisors, Processing Occupations (NOC 921)