We caught up with Andrew Lewis-Chaston, Portfolio Manager for Packaging and Organic Coated Steel, to find out more about his role at Tata Steel.
How would you describe your role?
As Portfolio Manager, I split my time between the packaging sector and organic coated steel. Half my work is focused on packaging, and the other half is on steel painted for cladding buildings, like the iconic blue and yellow of IKEA. My job is all about improving the product mix, processes, and tools in these sectors, helping sales and marketing teams work more efficiently. I’m passionate about data, my aim is for people to use data to make decisions, not spend hours assembling it.
What does your day-to-day look like?
No two days are the same. One day I might be on site at Trostre discussing substrates, especially now that we’re using imported substrate, a huge change for us. Another day, I’ll be building tools to assess quotations or catching up on emails. I typically split my time between working from home and being on site, with a couple of days a week in the office, depending on what’s needed.
How did you start your career?
I started my career 17 years ago in product management, then moved to the Port Talbot Hot Mill where I took on the role as Quality Manager. That position gave me a real insight into the operational side of the business, and I even temporarily covered as Technical Manager for a period. My career then took a project-based turn, focusing on improving collaboration and processes across different sites, helping to make the whole supply chain work better together.
Eventually, I returned to product management, which allowed me to combine my technical expertise with a broader commercial perspective. At Christmas, I saw an opportunity to move into sales, a completely new area for me. Although it was a big change, I embraced the challenge, knowing that my 17 years of experience and contacts across the company would help me adapt quickly.
Why Tata Steel?
After completing my engineering doctorate with Cardiff University and the Welding Institute, where I spent four years working in Port Talbot, I was already familiar with the area and the steel industry. When my doctorate finished, I was looking for a role that would allow me to use my mechanical engineering background in a practical, hands-on way, but also give me the chance to work cross-functionally and develop new skills, and Tata Steel offered just that. It also helped me become a Chartered Engineer, now I mentor others on their journey to chartership and am a fellow member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
What do you enjoy most about working at Tata Steel?
The variety. My roles have always been cross-functional, so I’ve learned about everything from finance to production. I love getting out on site, seeing the scale of the operations, and working with people from all over the world, one day I’ll be talking to someone in the Netherlands, the next in India or Thailand. The passion and knowledge of the people here is truly inspiring.
Does anything surprise you about working here?
The sheer scale of everything still takes my breath away. But what really stands out is the depth of expertise; people here could write doctorates on their specialist areas. The passion and knowledge across the workforce is incredible.
What challenges do you face in your role?
The biggest challenge right now is adapting to buying in substrate instead of making our own steel. It’s a completely new way of working, it was challenging at first for customers and the team but we have adapted quickly and have been able to continue our high standard of service for our customers. Another challenge is harnessing the vast amount of data we have and presenting it in a usable format, rather than everyone creating their own.
What has been your favourite project?
One standout project was during my time at the Hot Mill, where I initiated a “voice of the customer” update. Every Monday, I’d walk around the plant, talking to every shift about products and customer needs. It helped make the Hot Mill more customer-centric, and I was proud to see the impact it had especially when teams from other sites visited and saw how their work connected to the end product.
What would you like to achieve in the next 10 years?
That’s a tough one! I’d love to be part of the team that delivers world firsts, like the first commercial volumes of packaging steel from an electric arc furnace. With so much investment happening at Port Talbot, I’m energised by the possibilities and want to see these projects succeed.
What do you do in your free time?
I’m slightly obsessed with cycling and love spending time in the mountains. Family time is important to me, this summer we went canyoning and walking in Madeira. I’m also a music enthusiast, with a particular fondness for local Welsh music festivals.
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