Employee Spotlight: Shaun Lindfield
Shaun Lindfield is a leading figure at MAT Foundry, having joined the business more than 20 years ago. In the first of a series of upcoming employee spotlights, we speak to Shaun about his journey, from university to Commercial Director, with plenty of travel in between.
When did you join the company and how has your role changed from then until now?
It’s been a journey…..it all started back in August 2004 after completing my degree in Environmental Management. Over the past 21 years, my career has evolved significantly.
I began in Environmental Management and Health and Safety at Eurac Poole. I later transitioned into the commercial side of the business as Procurement Manager. After four years in this role, I was promoted to Group Procurement Manager, where I deepened my expertise in procurement, this really shifted my perspective to focus on the commercial side of the business.
I’m now Global Commercial Director, a role which I’ve held for the past three years.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Typical doesn’t really exist for me! But there are some elements that are fairly constant. My main responsibilities can be boiled down to three main areas, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and operational oversight.
Mornings often start with a coffee and school run, in that order! I usually start the day reviewing key performance metrics, market trends, and sales reports to assess business performance and identify opportunities for growth.
This is followed by meetings with sales and procurement teams to discuss ongoing contracts, customer relationships, and supplier negotiations.
A significant part of the day is spent engaging with clients, whether through meetings, calls, or visits, to strengthen partnerships, understand their evolving needs, and exploring new business opportunities. Collaboration with internal departments—such as finance, operations, and marketing—is also essential to align commercial strategies with overall business objectives.
In the afternoon, I may focus on strategic planning, preparing proposals, or reviewing upcoming commercial projects. There is also a strong emphasis on risk management, ensuring that commercial decisions align with financial targets and compliance requirements. Sometimes there is even time for lunch!
What inspired you to pursue a career in the automotive manufacturing industry?
My interest in the automotive manufacturing industry was driven by a passion for engineering, innovation, and sustainability. The industry’s dynamic nature, with its constant advancements in materials, manufacturing processes, and technology, fascinated me from an early age.
With a background in Environmental Management, I was particularly drawn to the sector’s evolving focus on efficiency, sustainability, and responsible manufacturing. The opportunity to contribute to an industry that plays a crucial role in global economies, while also driving advancements in safety, performance, and environmental impact, was a key motivator for me.
Throughout my career, I’ve enjoyed working across different areas of the business—from environmental management and procurement to sales and leadership. This has given me a well-rounded perspective on how the industry operates and the exciting challenges it presents. The fast-paced nature of automotive manufacturing, combined with its continuous push for innovation, makes it an incredibly rewarding field to be part of.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on at Mat Foundry Group?
The most exciting project I've been involved with at Mat Foundry Group is undoubtedly our ambitious greenfield initiative to construct a new 50,000-tonne foundry and machining facility dedicated to supplying commercial vehicle brake drums to the North American truck market.
It’s very exciting seeing the transformation, from nothing to now this mammoth purpose built site, it’s incredible to see all of the internal collective knowledge capitalised upon to create such an impressive facility.
My main role within this project is providing crucial support to our local North American sales team. I work closely with them to develop comprehensive sales strategies and successfully conclude deals with major global customers.
How do you balance the demands of your role with life outside of work?
You might need to ask my wife this question instead!
It’s tricky, especially as everyone is now more easily contactable it’s incredibly tempting to check in, especially as I’m communicating with individuals across the world in different time zones. I do however try to stick to boundaries and clear work/home time to keep some separation between the two.
The role naturally involves a significant amount of travel, whether that’s Europe, Asia, or North America, which can certainly make family life challenging. I try to make the most of the time when I am home ensuring we have quality family time, whether that’s trips and adventures out or just spending time with one another at home.
I also take an active role in the PTA (Parent Teacher’s Association) at my children’s school to keep involved with what’s going on in their world and help to contribute within the wider community.
What legacy would you like to leave at Mat Foundry Group?
In our ever-evolving industry, I believe innovation is the key to success—and that's only possible with a flexible, talented team. It’s the people within the business that are the real drivers behind our achievements, which is why I'm passionate about creating an environment where everyone can truly thrive.
Since our business spans countries and continents, I hope my legacy will be paving the way for our next generation of leaders to build meaningful relationships across all levels of the organisation. When people understand both the challenges and contributions of every department, it creates a culture of collaboration and creativity.
What really excites me is seeing everyone participate in achieving our goals collectively. That's the kind of workplace I want to help build, one where great ideas can come from anywhere and everyone feels their contribution matters.