As a seventh generation tanner who worked in his family-owned tannery during school and university holidays, Nick Muirhead knew what he was getting into when he joined Bridge of Weir Leather Company.

Having left university with a degree in chemical engineering and a masters in marketing, Nick is now the manager of the Leather Cutting Division for Bridge of Weir Leather Company, cutting leather car parts and upholstery for marques such as Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo and Aston Martin. This is a enjoyable role but challenging one as the division is in competition with other companies, so there is constant pressure to be better and more efficient than them and to produce a better product.

He also manages a large team of people, which can also be difficult but he is encouraged to seek solutions to problems rather than turning to his managers for advice, which keeps him motivated and stimulated. A global customer base means that his hours can be variable and the role involves a considerable amount of travel.

However, the day to day variation, such as changing demands and customer specifications, means that he is never bored and he very proud of his job. Nick will be in the industry for life and believes that it offers a variety of roles and the option of a long-term career, with great scope for development, to anyone who is willing to apply themselves.