Careers

Steve Brown’s career in Transport at IMI spans more than three decades, shaped by hands-on experience, global collaboration and a focus on solving complex challenges.

He began his career in 1994 as a Manufacturing Engineer at Motorola, where he was introduced to design for manufacturability and Six Sigma principles.

“That’s where I learned that quality isn’t something you inspect at the end – it has to be designed in from the very beginning.”

Steve joined IMI in 1997, moving through a series of engineering, manufacturing and leadership roles that expanded his perspective on how products, people and processes connect.

As Focus Factory Manager, he was responsible for production of the Excelon series FRLs, gaining deep exposure across multiple manufacturing disciplines.

“That experience showed me how interconnected manufacturing is, and how management decisions directly affect quality on the shop floor.”

As his responsibilities became more strategic, Steve led quality and strategy initiatives across regions, reinforcing the importance of consistent problem-solving fundamentals.

“No matter the region or product, the fundamentals are the same. What changes is how well they’re applied.”

More recently, as Global Quality Director, Steve worked with teams worldwide to share best practices – work that contributed to the development of the Factory Floor Quality System.

Today, as Vice President – Quality for Global Transport, Steve leads initiatives that strengthen operational excellence and customer confidence across IMI’s global network.

“Continuous improvement and solving complex challenges are what motivate me – along with the people I work with.”

Fernanda Gutierrez Zamora joined IMI in September 2024 as Supply Chain Director for Transport in Querétaro, Mexico. Since joining, her impact has been tangible – driving sharper inventory control, stronger delivery performance and greater visibility for her team across the wider organisation.

From the outset, Fernanda saw IMI as a place where curiosity and creating impact are part of our culture.

“What stood out to me early on was the visibility leaders give to your work. From the beginning of your career at IMI, your contribution can be seen across sectors – and that recognition creates real opportunity.”

A defining moment came early in her time at IMI, when she identified that inventory levels were significantly higher than they needed to be. Acting quickly, she put immediate corrective actions in place.

“I realised very early that inventory reduction was urgent. We moved fast, and those decisions translated into around £11 million in impact. That experience shaped how I approach my work – always looking for the right cost balance while increasing productivity.”

That mindset has delivered measurable results. With Fernanda’s leadership, inventory levels have reduced significantly while On Time Delivery (OTD) performance has improved from around 70% to 98%.

“These outcomes aren’t accidental. They come from disciplined problem-solving, clear priorities and strong teamwork.”

Working as part of a global organisation has also shaped her experience. Fernanda values the closeness and openness of our international teams.

“The multicultural nature of IMI is a real asset. Global meetings aren’t just about performance – they’re also about recognising talent. I’ve seen team members, including former IMI graduates, gain visibility that has led to new roles elsewhere in the business.”

What keeps Fernanda inspired is solving complex challenges – particularly where operational improvements translate into better customer outcomes.

“Improving On Time Delivery was a real team challenge, and it directly improved our customer experience. Knowing that your work makes a difference for customers is what makes the job rewarding.”

Fernanda continues to focus on building resilient, efficient supply chain operations that support our customers – with a clear emphasis on balance, execution and sustainable performance.

David Li joined IMI in 2010 as a Process Engineer. Over the years, he has worked across several functions, including process engineering, quality and new product development – seeing firsthand how operational decisions affect performance on the factory floor.

Throughout his career, David has been focused on continuous improvement, innovating processes and enhancing operations.

In his early roles, he helped establish and replicate more than five production lines in a short period of time – work that demanded pace, discipline and attention to detail.

“Those first years taught me how important it is to get processes right early and make them repeatable.”

Stepping into the role of Quality Manager marked another important shift. The role required close coordination with customers, suppliers and internal teams, strengthening David’s ability to lead through communication and alignment.

“That experience changed how I approach problems. You learn quickly that progress depends on how well people work together.”

His responsibilities later expanded across the region when he became APAC Quality Manager, giving him the opportunity to work closely with teams across different countries and operating environments.

“Working across regions gave me a broader perspective and reinforced the importance of common ways of working.”

Today, as Head of Operations for Transport China, David is responsible for driving operational performance and long-term capability. What keeps him motivated is seeing continuous improvement turn into visible results.

“When you see the factory getting better each day, it creates momentum. That progress is what keeps me engaged.”

David’s career reflects how cross-functional experience and continuous improvement can create long-term impact.