Fuelled By Ambition... Agata Gierszewska

We caught up again with Agata Gierszewska, Packaging Technologist at Dunbia UK, for an update on her career journey since she previously shared this with us last year. As part of our campaign 'Fuelled by Ambition' we're sharing the stories of our community and asking them to define ambition in their own terms, as well as give us as insights into their career journeys so far.

Tell us about your current role and how you got there. 

I currently work as a Packaging Technologist at Dunbia UK, where I focus on packaging development, sustainability, technical problem-solving and continuous improvement across the business.

My journey into the meat industry wasn’t a traditional one. I joined the business on the production floor and gradually progressed through several roles, including Quality, Administration and Operational Excellence. Each role gave me a different perspective and helped me build new skills.

Over the past year, I made the transition from Operational Excellence into a more specialised technical role in Packaging. It was big step outside my comfort zone, but it has allowed me to combine my passion for continuous improvement with innovation and sustainability.

What would you say your top strength or superpower is and how has it helped you in your role?

I would say my biggest strength is curiosity. I genuinely enjoy learning, asking questions and understanding how things work.

Combined with resilience, it has helped me adapt to new roles, learn new technical skills and embrace opportunities that initially felt intimidating. I’ve learned that you don’t need to know everything before taking the next step - you just need to be willing to learn.

Tell us about one of the biggest challenges to date in you career and one key learning you took from it?

One of my biggest challenges has been learning to believe in myself.

Like many people, I sometimes focused more on the reasons why I might not be ready than on what I had already achieved. Over the last year, I’ve realised that growth often starts when we stop waiting until we feel “ready” and simply give ourselves a chance.

Stepping outside my comfort zone has led to some of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

Who has influenced or inspired you along the way and what impact have they had on you?

I’ve been fortunate to work alongside people who have generously shared not only their knowledge and experience, but also their encouragement.

Two people who have had a particularly positive influence on my journey are Anna Thomas (Group Packaging Process Manager) and Laura McCann (Group Packaging Development Manager). As my managers and teammates, they have challenged me to think differently, trusted me with new opportunities and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone.

What has made the biggest difference is that they genuinely wanted to see me succeed. They invested time in my development, shared their expertise and created an environment where asking questions and learning was always encouraged.

They’ve shown me how important good leadership is, not just in achieving results, but in helping people build confidence, realise their potential and believe they are capable of more than they thought possible.

Our ongoing campaign is called Fuelled by Ambition where we celebrate ambitions both big & small. When you think about ambition, what does it look like for you at this stage of your life and career?

Being part of the previous Fuelled by Ambition campaign gave me a real confidence boost.

Looking back, so much has happened since then. I completed my Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship with distinction, moved into specialist Packaging role, started my Packaging Diploma and became much more proactive about networking and building relationships across the industry.

For me, ambition today isn’t just about achieving the next promotion. It’s about continuing to learn, saying “yes” to opportunities, giving myself a chance and surrounding myself with people who inspire me to grow.

Looking ahead, what would you love to see change, improve or grow in the meat/food industry?

I’d love to see even greater collaboration across the industry, particularly around sustainability, innovation and developing future talent.

I’d also like to see more people encouraged to explore different career paths within food manufacturing. They are so many opportunities, and sometimes all someone needs is encouragement from the right people to believe they belong.

Quickfire questions:

What’s your favourite cuisine?

Japanese -  especially ramen and sushi.

Favourite pastime or hobby?

Travelling and photography. I enjoy exploring new places, experiencing different culture and capturing moments through photography.

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?

“Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters - it’s upbeat and gives me a boost of energy during the day. 

Favourite holiday destination (or your dream trip)?

Japan!