Meet our Team
Nicole Smith, Financial Analyst
- What makes working at DSI Underground special for you?
Working at DSI Underground provides me with an opportunity for professional growth everyday through new challenges and opportunities. It is very rewarding to work with such a strong and effective team.
- Which advice would you give to less experienced employees who are just starting their career?
See every challenge you face in the workplace as an opportunity for you to grow professionally and personally. Also, remember to be confident and diligent in each task that you complete.
- Which key qualifications should applicants have to join your department?
A new finance team member should be confident, ambitious and up for new challenges. They should be adaptable to these new tasks and willing to work in a fast-paced team environment. In addition, they should have the knowledge and understanding of the accounting concepts and principles to ensure that when they complete a task it is fully supported in compliance with standards set forth.
- What challenges do you face every day and how do you deal with them?
Two major challenges that I face every day is time management and problem solving. At DSI Underground we have a very fast-paced environment and in order to cope I make lists daily and ensure that my time is allocated effectively and chronologically to those tasks that need to take precedence. In addition, there are always many situations that involve a lot of problem solving. In order to complete these problem-solving situations confidently I work with our team members to get thorough understanding of the situation and ask lots of questions to limit re-work and to ensure the problems get completed effectively and time efficiently.
- Describe your team at DSI Underground in three words.
Hardworking, ambitious, and helpful
- Could you please explain to our readers what your job is at DSI Underground and when you started working here?
I started working with Mansour Mining in July of 2019 as an assistant controller. Upon amalgamation with DSI Underground Canada Ltd. I was offered a job as financial analyst.
- We would like to get to know you better personally. Do you have special interests?
I love remaining active, so I spend a lot of my time with my dog and fiancé going on hiking adventures and working out.
Lynn Ladouceur, Intermediate Purchase
- What makes working at DSI Underground special for you?
With a passion for Procurement and Supply Chain, being part of the DSI Underground team allows me to work cross functionally and collaborate daily with my colleagues. I enjoy the challenges and projects my position entails and take great pride in my contribution to ensuring we deliver quality products on time to our customers.
- Could you please explain to our readers what your job is at DSI Underground and when you started working here?
I joined the DSI Underground team back in January, and every day I go to work wondering what challenges and opportunities may cross my desk and I embrace these knowing I have such an amazing team of colleagues working towards one common goal together.
DSI Underground is a global company with many positions and even in our own team we have junior and senior colleagues who bring new ideas as well as knowledge from past experiences. This creates the foundation for our dynamic team, keeps communication open and empowers us to take initiative knowing we have our teams support.
- Which advice would you give to less experienced employees who are just starting their career?
Taking initiative and asking for help when required are some key factors in working in our Supply Chain team and with many experienced colleagues at DSI Underground, there is always someone willing to lend a hand. This culture also promotes personal growth and advancement opportunities within DSI Underground.
- Which key qualifications should applicants have to join your department?
As Intermediate Purchaser, I contribute daily to the operations of our facility making sure my colleagues have what they need to be successful. Another key responsibility in my day to day work is developing and maintaining supplier business relations. These two functions are key components in helping DSI Underground remain successful.
- We would like to get to know you better personally. Do you have special interests?
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, staying active with yoga, walking, running and roller blading and most recently I have discovered a new hobby of indoor plants which keeps me busy during the COVID pandemic.
Ryan MacPherson, Commercial Sales Manager
- What makes working at DSI Underground special for you?
The people here at DSI Underground are the best I’ve ever worked with. Each day we’re presented with new challenges and always come together as a team to solve them.
- Which advice would you give to less experienced employees who are just starting their career?
Never say no to new opportunities, and dive into any project. The lessons learned through this method this will build a foundation of knowledge, reputation, and excellence.
- Which key qualifications should applicants have to join your department?
Organized, committed, hard-working, and open to new opportunities.
- What challenges do you face every day and how do you deal with them?
Being in Sales means there’s a myriad of communication both internally and externally throughout the day. It’s important that the customer receives the correct information for the short-term, but also im-provements that DSI Underground is making for the long-term to better serve their needs. Similarly, DSI Underground departments must know the needs of customers, and in Sales we provide that voice. It’s always delicate and important balance but keeping those communication channels open are one the main keys to DSI Underground’s success.
- Describe your team at DSI Underground in three words.
Innovative, Collaborative, Supportive
- Could you please explain to our readers what your job is at DSI Underground and when you started working here?
It began my career in 2015 at DSI Underground as a Drawing Technician creating 3D models of our products. Through this, I started by learning the product, then selling the product, and throughout my tenure here I’ve learned many facets of the DSI Underground business. All these steps helped me un-derstand the creation, utility, and cost of our products. That along with established relationships with the customers helped in my promotion to become a Commercial Sales Manager for eastern Canada.
- A few years have passed since you joined. What is your experience like at DSI Underground now?
Each day is filled with exciting new opportunities to learn. I never leave the office without learning something new.
- We would like to get to know you better personally. Do you have special interests?
Outside of work, my main interests and pass times include travelling, ancient history, hockey, tennis, and listening to podcasts while walking or hiking.
Mitali Panda, QMS/EMS/Health & Safety Co-Ordinator
- What makes working at DSI Underground special for you?
Working with my co-workers and them having the same values as the company, makes the work environment exciting. There is always somebody to help and listen to you. This brings back the idea of community and being a community.
The most exciting thing about my job is being challenged every day and never get saturated. This brings newness to my days as I learn, serve and grow with DSI Underground.
Our corporate culture demonstrates important ethics and values that make me feel appreciated, supported and proud for my work.
“DSI Underground employees are some of the nicest, most impressive people you will ever meet. Our people are one of the many reasons why I am gratified to work here.”
“I don’t do it because I have to; I do it because I want to. And it’s the right thing to do.”
#WEAREDSIUNDERGROUND - Which advice would you give to less experienced employees who are just starting their career?
I think you have to be interested in problem solving. A lot of my job is digging into data and figuring out exactly what issues are at hand and how to solve them. You also have to be tenacious. Sometimes in manufacturing, you are limited by regulatory aspects, so you cannot just implement any change that you want at any time. You have to be creative to figure out how you can solve that problem.
When I tell people what I do, they think that I just spend all my time analyzing the problems, but that is not what I actually do. I support those activities by trying to figure out how to make those processes operate reliably and consistently.
My advice to our new teammates at DSI Underground would be the following: “Be true to yourself and do what you love. And: Yes, you can!” It is important to combine your skillset and personal passion. This defines your individuality and helps your ideas to flourish and materialize at DSI Underground. It is fundamental to specialize in your skills, but it is equally important to be open to new ideas and disciplines. I feel it makes us more creative and agile to thinking beyond.
- Which key qualifications should applicants have to join your department?
I would say that if you are interested in the manufacturing industry and the Quality department – in solving new challenges for manufacturing and getting a wide range of experiences – then this group is a nice fit. As long as you have a strong engineering background, understand the manufacturing of things, enjoy solving technical problems and can talk about science and technology with other people in a meaningful way, you would be great in this role. Moreover, you should be humble, cheerful and cooperative.
- What challenges do you face every day and how do you deal with them?
I think a lot of the time in this industry you can get stuck in your processes, but at DSI Underground, we have been trying to push that envelope and implement new technologies and new strategies to make the process more efficient and near to flawless. There could be problems in manufacturing, but we need to act promptly in troubleshooting and get the process up and running again. We learn from the issues, implement long term and feasible solutions, discuss among us to educate ourselves to prevent such obstacles, which can prevent us from seamless manufacturing safely. Such approaches have enabled us at DSI Underground to have a win-win relationship with our happy customers and clients.
- Describe your team at DSI Underground in three words.
Only three words are not enough to describe my team.
Very collaborative. I host and participate in meetings every day, which brings me in conversation with people from manufacturing, sales, maintenance and warehousing, management, health and safety, to name a few. Everyone has unique skills and expertise. My team think out of the box and try to connect the ends.
Everyone is knowledgeable too; many people in my team have been with DSI Underground for over 10 years. This reflects on their dedication, sincerity and innovation – that sounds like D-S-I, isn’t it?
- Could you please explain to our readers what your job is at DSI Underground and when you started working here?
I work as a coordinator for the Quality Management System (QMS) / Environmental Management System (EMS) / Health & Safety at DSI Underground Canada in Saskatoon. I am turning a year old at DSI Underground in October 2020. My job is an inspiring mix of technical meetings, brainstorming, training and problem solving. In all of this, the most exciting things happen where technology, machines and humans meet.
- A few days have passed since you joined. What is your experience like at DSI Underground now?
Knowing that your talent and ideas are supported is a great feeling. It gives you wings that move you and your career forward. It is also the main reason why I enjoy working for DSI Underground and take pride in the very diverse and challenging ventures I am responsible for.
“At DSI Underground, you are continually appreciated and encouraged for your work.”
“Your talent and ideas are supported.”
- We would like to get to know you better personally.
On a more personal note, my interests have always rested on gardening, culinary arts and traveling. I have always been passionate about the culinary arts. Apart from the charm of being able to create something edible with transient pieces of art, aroma and taste, my fascination has taught me a most valuable life lesson. Very similar to culinary arts or designing a delightful dish, in one’s personal life or professional career, the ability to recognize, craft and sustain poise and compatibility are essential to maintain excellence. I have also tried to maintain my life spirit through extramural activities. One of such activities is my attachment to Odissi, an ancient Indian classical dance, since my childhood. Devotion, motivation and concentration are three elements required in life, much similar to performing Odissi, ancient Indian classical dance, or any other art. These activities are centered on my service to my immediate and extended communities, as well as my commitment to personal development. A vital part of my life has been my dedication to the discovery of the world and the environment around me. I have done this through my extensive travels. By coming into contact with the various cultures and customs of different regions, I have been able to comprehend and adapt to living in multicultural cities and embrace the differences of others in my daily life.
Vivek Patel, Resin Plant Manager
- What makes working at DSI Underground special for you?
DSI Underground is fast growing company which gives me opportunity to grow professionally within the company and continue to develop myself further. My co-workers and management team are social, knowledgeable and caring. It creates a family environment where everybody is there for each other. Everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the mission. I’m proud to be part of this successful journey.
- Which advice would you give to less experienced employees who are just starting their career?
Have an experimental attitude and always remember that learning is continuous process. Embrace your role and give your best. At some point you may encounter with failure but learn how to cultivate failures into the steppingstone. Learn as much as you can from experienced colleagues. Finally, be nice to everyone.
- Which key qualifications should applicants have to join your department?
Ability to adapt fast-changing environment
Good understanding of chemical process & properties
Problem solver
Innovative
Team player who can work independently as well
Critical thinking
Decision making attitude
Self-motivator
- What challenges do you face every day and how do you deal with them?
The biggest challenges we face is to complete the project on time and on budget. And to achieve that we focus on three parameters; working efficiency, priorities and Problem solving.
Working efficiency and focus: Make sure that all the departments associated with the project is working in timely fashion and have clear direction for their responsibilities.
Priority: Determine priorities based on critical path of the project and plan accordingly. Make sure we’re not disregarding any important task.
Problem Solving: We perform risk management exercise to identify potential complication to the project in advance and create mitigation plan.
- Describe your team at DSI Underground in three words.
Humble, Passionate and Visionary.
- Could you please explain to our readers what your job is at DSI Underground and when you started working here?
I have joined DSI Underground in October,2019. Since than I have worked in different departments of the organization
In project I am:
Developing detailed project plans to track progress
Coordinating with internal resources and third parties/vendors
Performing risk management to minimize project risks
Ensuring resource availability and allocation
Responsible for deliver project on time within budget
Responsible for flawless commissioning phase
Ensuring that all the raw material is available at the staring of the project
Creating and maintaining documentation for project
Preparing reports and escalate to management as needed
- A few years have passed since you joined. What is your experience like at DSI Underground now?
DSI Underground has provided me opportunity to work in different departments which I have utilized to meet new people/employee and learned new skills from them to excel myself in various direction. It has been amazing journey working at DSI Underground and I’m excited to work on upcoming projects.
- We would like to get to know you better personally.
I’m always interested to meet new people from different background, culture and tradition to know their history, culture and values. And eventually it inspires me to explore the different parts of the world.
Rick Skakun, Warehouse Supervisor
- What makes working at DSI Underground special for you?
DSI Underground is special to me because of all of the opportunities that I have had over the years to learn and grow in various roles within the company.
- Which advice would you give to less experienced employees who are just starting their career?
Individuals just starting their career need to walk in with an open mind, and take in and learn whatever they can from colleagues to further personal growth and development.
- Which key qualifications should applicants have to join your department?
Strong work ethic, willingness to learn, a positive attitude and ambition are key to working in my department.
- What challenges do you face every day and how do you deal with them?
I use coaching, leadership, and healthy role modelling to ensure that the workplace culture remains positive and supportive.
- Describe your team at DSI Underground in three words.
My team at DSI Underground is loyal, dedicated and honest. They are loyal to the company. They are dedicated to their careers at DSI Underground and it’s future vision. They are honest in their roles and positions.
- Could you please explain to our readers what your job is at DSI Underground and when you started working here?
I am a Warehouse Supervisor and I oversee the warehouse team and their duties. I started in October 1993 as a regular plant laborer and have worked various positions in the company to my current role.
- We would like to get to know you better personally. Do you have special interests?
Engine repairs and anything to do with mechanics are an interest of mine.
- A special hobby
I maintain and farm property and livestock as a hobby. And for many years I volunteered as an assistant coach in minor hockey.
Orien Gilzen, Process Coordinator
- What makes working at DSI Underground special for you?
People.
Weird finding yourself in a strange environment without feeling out of place.
- Which advice would you give to less experienced employees who are just starting their career?
Put in the work and make the effort and management will notice you.
- Which key qualifications should applicants have to join your department?
The ability to persevere until you grasp the environment and knowledge.
- What challenges do you face every day and how do you deal with them?
With my accent- I feel that I must repeat myself, and it is very frustrating at times. Once they get to know me, I find it get easier for them to understand.
You must be on top of the employees to get things done.
- Describe your team at DSI Underground in three words.
Productive
Hardworking
Curious
- Could you please explain to our readers what your job is at DSI Underground and when you started working here?
Hired on Sept 30, 2019- My job is to ensure that productivity is constant and flowing. I need to make sure the parts and employees are in place for the next job to make sure we hit our daily targets.
- A few years have passed since you joined. What is your experience like at DSI Underground now?
DSI Underground has provided me opportunity to work in different departments which I have utilized to meet new people/employee and learned new skills from them to excel myself in various direction. It has been amazing journey working at DSI Underground and I’m excited to work on upcoming projects.
- We would like to get to know you better personally.
A. Do you have special interests
Writing reggae music, Video Games and I love driving and explore new terrain, and I am are you a volunteer- I signed up at St-John’s ambulance but with COVID it is on hold.
