Patrick Rafferty

Experience

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  Transtel/SATS/SAR

  Jan 1978 - Jan 1994

  Technician/Senior Technician

  During this time my roles varied greatly. My main tasks were performing component level fault finding and repair on a wide range of radio communications equipment. This included multiplexing cards and RF modules for microwave communication equipment, HF/VHF/UHF radio transceivers, VHF/UHF repeaters and links as well as marine electronic equipment including HF/VHF radio equipment, HF radio beacons and transponders and Radar, Radio Direction Finders.

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  Transtel

  Jun 1994 - Aug 1995

  Senior Engineering Technician

  During this time I took care of the day to day running of the Richards Bay Radio Workshop. the tasks included:a) day to day management of the workshop staffb) training and assisting staff to perform card and component level troubleshooting of radio and microwave equipmentc) ensuring that the customer faults were recorded, attended to promptly and that the situation was resolved as fast and efficiently as possibled) stock control of spare parts

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  Vodacom

  Sept 1995 - Dec 1998

  Technical Officer/Supervisor Radio

  My primary role was to ensure the functioning and day to day operation of the Vodacom mobile network from Mandini in the South to Kosi Bay in the North and inland as far as Pongola, Ulundi and Babanango. The scope of my work included microwave links, base station controllers, base stations, antennae, power systems and standby power. I took care of customer complaints regarding coverage and access problems. Checking opportunities for new business and possible new sites was was another part of my role.Shortly before leaving Vodacom and moving to Finland I was promoted to the role of supervisor. Here my task was to take care of daily day to co-ordination of the radio network support staff activities and tasks for the Kwazulu Natal region. The tasks included coordinating site capacity upgrades and fault tracking. Show less

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  Nokia Networks

  Jan 1999 - Feb 2001

  Senior Technical Support Engineer

  My function was in the role of a product line Technical Support Engineer for NMS2000 Network Management product that later became the NetAct Operations Support System. I provided technical support remotely and on-site during deployments in the global market. I specialised in supporting radio network tools.

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  Epstar Oy

  Mar 2001 - May 2002

  Radio Network Planner

  I worked as a radio network planner preparing for the long awaited deployment and roll out of 3G mobile networks that took forever to kick off. It was a good experience that enabled me to expand my knowledge of mobile networks. I particpated in planning a few WLAN network rollout projects. I performed quality measurements of GSM/GPRS networks

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  Nokia Solutions and Networks

  Jul 2002 - Jul 2016

  Mobile Broadband Single Radio Access Networks (RAN) R&DAs a project manager I worked in Finland and at globally on site at customer sites. I was responsible for ensuring a smooth transition from older software release to newer software releases. My role was project manager, trainer, technical support engineer, documentation writer, feature tester and mentor. During this time I also successfully led and drove the competence development area for new WCDMA software releases from 2005 and personally trained in excess of 800 engineers. Main tasks:a) Participate as project manager to set up the project. After this I would join the project and lead the on site support team. We were tasked with ensuring the success of pilot customer projects for pre-commercial software release deployments in operational customer mobile networks as part of the software verification process before the software was released for commercial use in customer's mobile networks.b) Ensure competence for new software releases existed in preparation for commercial deployment in customer mobile networks by traveling to different R&D hubs and customer sites to conduct training's and information sessions for trainers, technical and project management staff c) Testing of new software and features and development of test casesd) Prepare initial customer documents, provide input as an SME to customer documentation specialists. Final checking and testing of customer documents and test casese) Perform equipment installation and commissioningf) Perform SW installations, upgrades and updatesg) Perform system level troubleshootingh) Ensure the smooth running of project onsite by coordinating the onsite resources and activities i) Liaise and coordinate activities between R&D, the local customer support team and the customer Show less

  • Project Manager Trialing and Piloting / Technical Suport / Training

    Jul 2008 - Jul 2016

  • Technical Trainer

    Aug 2005 - Jun 2008

  • Senior Technical Support Engineer

    Jul 2002 - Jul 2005
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  Sausages Finland Oy

  Mar 2017 - now

  Chief Executive Officer

  I have built Sausages Finland from scratch to where it is today, an up and coming artisan sausage and food manufacturer specialising in producing raw full meat sausage using only natural ingredients.I have extensive experience in food regulations and requirements necessary for obtaining food production licences from the local authorities and food safety authorities in Finland.I have built an extensive network within the supplier chain for purchasing products and equipment necessary to manufacture meat products.I am experienced at sales and marketting, to promote products, also cold calling to contact local disributors, supermarkets and supermarket chains to set up meetings with the goal of getting products onto store shelves.I am passionate about sustainability and the need to protect our environment. Sustainability will be the future of food producers. Customers should have good visibility to the sustanability of comapanies and how companies plan to support sustainability. Waste should be kept to the bare minimum and the use of eco friendly cleaning products, and the conservation of energy is very important.Excellent customer care and customer service is critical to the survival of companies and is something that I believe is necessary in all companies big and small.Sausages Finland's vision is to produce world-class products in Finland, using locally produced meat and ingredients. The aim is for all products to be allergen and preservative free. The meat should be ethically farmed and produced, meaning that the animals should be well treated, fed natural food and be antibiotic free.Lean manufacturing processes must be used to prevent wastage, streamline production to be as efficient and eco-friendly as possible.All the products are hand produced by artisans to ensure excellent quality and authenticity.Businesses and individuals are able to purchase products by contacting Sausages Finland via the web pages https://sausages.fi Show less