Tell us a little bit about yourself (e.g. how long been at Wincanton, career journey to date) 

I started with Wincanton as a Warehouse Operative in January 2018 through an agency. Within six months I was promoted to a team leader and have since been promoted to shift manager as well as recruitment manager for our site. I was nominated for an Everywoman Award, to which I reached the final as apprentice of the year. I have been a part of the Level 5 Operational Manager Apprenticeship cohort and have also been appointed to head & be the mentor for the Medway CDC Warehouse Supply Chain Apprenticeship Scheme. 

Tell us a little bit about the contract/department, e.g. what it does, warehouse/transport etc, how many colleagues?

I work within the Ikea Contract as part of an ever-evolving operational team of 128 colleagues fulfilling picking, packing and distribution on a one-day lead time.

What attracted you to your current role?

I wanted to take on the opportunity to be able to make impactful decisions and improvements to the site and our contract, as well as having the chance to be able to support my team’s development, helping to build my colleagues’ confidence within the operation.

What skills and experience do you need?

I previously had no warehouse experience when I started my role on the shop floor but being a people-person with a strive for continuous improvement in our daily performance led me to taking on the team leader position, managing my team using a variety of leadership styles. This strength was soon recognized and I was appointed as a shift manager 16 months later. My people skills have also demonstrated the Highest My Pulse (engagement) survey score on the contract over the last five years. I have also been given the opportunity to take lead role on the recruitment based at Medway CDC. 

What are your main role responsibilities/what does a typical day look like?

My main responsibilities are to ensure our customer's orders are dispatched on-time every day, while achieving our contractual KPIs and managing health and safety in the workplace. I directly manage a team of three team leaders. 

What is the best thing about your job and why?

The best thing about my job is the fast-paced environment and the ability to use my passion to meet and exceed customer expectations every day. I strive on ensuring our staff are happy for when the alarm goes off to wake up and attend work. 

What are the biggest challenges in the role?

The biggest challenge in the role is making sure our customer’s orders are completed on time and show 100% accuracy. Achieving complete accuracy is not just a given when dealing with a large operational team, but the results are always worth it. Customer satisfaction is our aim.

How would you describe your working environment?

It’s a fast-paced but exciting environment. Each day can be very different, and we must work as a team to overcome the challenges, but we’re dedicated to making sure our customer is happy and we’re improving every day.

What advice would you give to thinking about moving into the role or area?

While the job can be difficult at times, the challenges in life are there to be achieved and overcome and the journey is incredibly exciting. The fast-paced environment and the enjoyable atmosphere at work are what make me jump out of bed in the morning with a great attitude and excitement for the day ahead, and I love the fact that every day is a little different. Logistics/warehouse is not just picking, packing and driving. It is an environment that has endless amounts of opportunities. Not only have I grown in my career, but I have also grown as an individual.