How did you get where you are today? I started in the retail arena with the Co-op back in 1986 and then moved into sales with Mars Confectionery in 1989. I stayed on the sales side with Mars for over seven years and was then made a NAM. From there I moved into fresh food in 1988. I then worked in fresh chicken and pork for a division of Grampian Country Food Group, gaining great experience with all the major multiples. From there I moved to Cumbrian Seafood where I managed the Tesco account and then on to my current role at The Big Prawn Company.
What was the best decision you have made in your career? Applying for my first sales role with Mars. It was a great start, a brilliant training ground that has stood me in excellent stead and I still apply the lessons every day to my working life. I started the current role with a blank sheet of paper and have been able to pursue many opportunities with a varied array of customers. With the support of the new dynamic team we're achieving great success and we have a lot of fun too.
Who do you most admire in the grocery industry? The team at Innocent and the work they are doing on building their brand. It's such a fantastic success story and very inspiring, something we're working to emulate.
Do you have a mentor? Scott Bulmer of Grampian. He gave me a role with a fresh food supplier to the multiples when I had experience of neither, it was a real turning point in my career.
What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told? How to use a PC! Sounds mad in this day and age but I wish I had l learnt much earlier in my career.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Great variety. We have such a wide range of retail, foodservice and manufacturing customers so there's always so much going on with sales, development of new products, sourcing initiatives and packaging innovations.
What is the one thing that you could not do your job without? Mobile - it's on 24/7, even took a call from Co-op depot at 7am on 1 January.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today? Learn all you can about your customers. The more you get to know and understand them the more opportunities you will find open to you.
If you could start again, what would you do differently? I have no regrets at all.
What do you like doing when you are not working? Spending time with my children and travelling with my partner Julia. It is so important to take time out and make sure you have your holidays to recharge the batteries.
What was the best decision you have made in your career? Applying for my first sales role with Mars. It was a great start, a brilliant training ground that has stood me in excellent stead and I still apply the lessons every day to my working life. I started the current role with a blank sheet of paper and have been able to pursue many opportunities with a varied array of customers. With the support of the new dynamic team we're achieving great success and we have a lot of fun too.
Who do you most admire in the grocery industry? The team at Innocent and the work they are doing on building their brand. It's such a fantastic success story and very inspiring, something we're working to emulate.
Do you have a mentor? Scott Bulmer of Grampian. He gave me a role with a fresh food supplier to the multiples when I had experience of neither, it was a real turning point in my career.
What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told? How to use a PC! Sounds mad in this day and age but I wish I had l learnt much earlier in my career.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Great variety. We have such a wide range of retail, foodservice and manufacturing customers so there's always so much going on with sales, development of new products, sourcing initiatives and packaging innovations.
What is the one thing that you could not do your job without? Mobile - it's on 24/7, even took a call from Co-op depot at 7am on 1 January.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today? Learn all you can about your customers. The more you get to know and understand them the more opportunities you will find open to you.
If you could start again, what would you do differently? I have no regrets at all.
What do you like doing when you are not working? Spending time with my children and travelling with my partner Julia. It is so important to take time out and make sure you have your holidays to recharge the batteries.
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