2.7 Nick Korwin, From Manufacturing Operations into Tech and Remote Work

2.7 Nick Korwin, From Manufacturing Operations into Tech and Remote Work WFHForever.com 36:22

Nick Korwin, a seasoned operations and engineering professional with a background in mechanical engineering shares his career pivot from manufacturing to a remote career in tech. Nick’s diverse experience spans various industries, including medical, automotive, and chemicals. Currently, he manages virtual data operations for a tech company based in California, all while residing in the Midwest, specifically the Chicagoland area.

Nick delves into his motivation for transitioning from a traditional in-person career managing large-scale operations to remote work. The catalyst for this shift was the unexpected news of expecting twins while already having a one-year-old. Working for a conservative family-owned manufacturing company, Nick faced challenges balancing his responsibilities as a dedicated father within a rigid work-life mentality. Seeking more flexibility, he explored remote opportunities, eventually landing a fully remote position with a tech company.

Addressing the initial hesitation about the career pivot, Nick discusses the adjustments required for the new role. Moving from manufacturing to tech, he navigated cultural shifts, adapting to a virtual environment. He shares insights into managing a global workforce of over 1000 people remotely and the expectations set in a tech-centric operational landscape.

Nick reflects on the challenges of remote work, highlighting the trade-offs, such as missing spontaneous interactions and Gemba walks that were integral to operations in a physical setting. He emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand on LinkedIn, sharing expertise around Operational Excellence (OpEx), and being a realistic OpEx professional.

In the discussion, Nick ranks people, plant, and intellectual property as the three significant components in manufacturing, stressing the paramount importance of prioritizing the “people” aspect.

This episode offers valuable insights into Nick’s journey, from navigating the challenges of remote work to building a personal brand and addressing critical components in the manufacturing industry.

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn.

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Don Voltaire Podcaster

Don is a serial podcaster and currently the producer and host of Work From Home Forever, a podcast highlighting remote employees and their engaging stories of furthering their careers and maintaining work/life balance. Don discovered his love for audio content creation in the 80's, when he and his brother would pretend they were DJ's and record voiceovers on cassette tapes. This passion was later reignited when he and his son created The Middle School Mind, a podcast to discuss a middle schoolers' perspective on the adolescent years.