Now part of the Operations Planning Department within FEMSA Cerveza, Mexico’s second largest beer company, Jesús Cervantes was keen to talk about his 12 months at WMG – and how it helped him launch his career at the leading edge of manufacturing innovation.

Jesús first arrived at WMG in September 2006. His goal was to build on his knowledge of manufacturing systems and operations management, as he explained: “Since gaining my degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, I had been working for a consultancy based in Monterrey where I developed process improvement projects for a range of industries around Latin America. I felt that I needed to lift my knowledge to another level though: to take a real step forward.”

Having learned about Warwick when he was in industry, it soon became his first choice – partly because of its facilities and reputation, but also for its location at the heart of UK manufacturing.

Jesús joined WMG’s full-time MSc programme in Manufacturing Systems Engineering, and quickly settled in. “It was very exciting to be part of WMG,” he said. “Right from day one you know you’re part of one of the world’s most advanced institutions.

“It actually feels like you’re living in a bubble. Everything is on campus that you need, and everyone goes out of their way to support you.”

As for the course itself, Jesús found it demanding but equally rewarding. “There are lots of projects to complete in a relatively short time, so you do have to manage your own time well. The way the tutors work makes it excellent though: they don’t just impart knowledge but constantly prompt you to explore your own ideas.”

His dissertation focused on warehouse management for manufacturing industry – a project that saw him carry out an in-depth analysis of a live business case. Looking at a major steel processing company, Jesús compared its systems with those used in other organisations, developing suggestions that would improve its model.

“My aim was to create a more robust model of warehouse management that would be appropriate for businesses in Mexico,” he said. “In everything I did at WMG, I was constantly looking back to my home country to see how current thinking and innovation could help industries there to compete better on a global stage.”

Having gained a distinction for his dissertation, Jesús returned to Mexico in 2007 and was soon offered a job within Femsa - Cervecería Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma, a major beverage manufacturer with six brewing plants across Mexico.

“I could see opportunities to put what I had learned at WMG to work straight away,” he said. “It brought home how relevant Warwick’s Manufacturing Systems Engineering course is to real businesses operating in the real world. Without doubt, I could not be doing what I am not without the skills and understanding I gained at WMG.”

Jesús described the responsibilities of his current role: “Leading the operations topics from the operations Planning team, I manage a wide range of projects that improve efficiency across six factories. We’re also working on new plants, developing world-class systems that put the business at the forefront of manufacturing innovation.”

Looking back, Jesús described his time at WMG as ‘unforgettable’ – and it’s clear that Warwick’s culture played a big part in this. “To be within such an international environment was fabulous,” he said. “I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and will never forget the help and support I received from tutors, staff and fellow students.”