A world of opportunity
"I clearly remember my first role here. It was so exciting to be joining a huge business as an Assistant Buyer at the incredible banner ParknShop. Everything was fast paced, and I rotated through different departments – from store to fresh trading to property management. We had a presence in China, so I experienced working there too. Over a three-year period, I experienced so many things in so many places with so many amazing people. I knew I’d made the right choice, but I didn’t realise how big the opportunity was."
The adventure begins
"One day the Trading Director asked me if I would like an ‘adventure’. Absolutely! I joined an 18-month fast-track development program. We got on-the-job training, formal leadership training, real-life projects to focus on, and a remit that covered business operations in Asia and Europe. It was on this programme that I was first introduced to International Buying. And I immediately knew that this was where my focus wanted to be in the future."
Broadening my skills
"The development programme had so many important aspects to it. Cultural, financial, customer, planning. It was challenging, but the pace helped prepare me for the future. And it also introduced me to a way of planning and preparing that is so important to stepping up in your career. I now have a better understanding about the operations across the business. And the programme has also helped me to understand the strategic direction and operational planning within every department. It also polished my mindset to be sales and result-driven in supporting the business development."
Opening up a new world
"One of the most remarkable experiences was my secondment in Superdrug - a UK health and beauty retailer under AS Watson. I was working in the Finance Department in South London. And I was studying Marketing at University. I loved every second of it. It was a new town, a new team and a completely different culture. And I think the main thing I noticed was how the team appreciates the contributions of each other. The people are brilliant and look after each other all the time. I always remember the team wanting to know where I had been that weekend and couldn’t believe how much I used the time to discover new places, restaurants and new cultures."
Skills for life
"All my experiences helped me prepare for my current role in International Buying. The experiences I have gained over the last 15 years have given me real skills for work and for life. I’m now a key part in of bringing people together, from Commercial, Data Analytic teams to the Health & Beauty partners. I’m representing a region with huge exposure, cultures. right in the middle, pulling the strings and orchestrating, driving the company business growth and group initiatives."
Be remarkable. Be yourself.
"I’m not entirely sure where my journey will take me. But I do know that it will be an adventure. Seeking out another opportunity to learn and grow. Learning more about people and places. Using my different experiences to accelerate business development and grow my career. Let the adventure continue!"