 |
Head of Customer Logistics Development B&I |
Brief summary of career so far and an overview of current role:
I joined Cadbury in 1997 as a finance graduate, my first couple of years were spent at the Chesterfield and Sheffield factories supporting the manufacturing teams from a financial perspective while I studied toward my CIMA qualification.
Having passed my CIMA finals in 2000, I was keen to get some non-financial experience and also some man management exposure. I therefore moved to the Holmewood Distribution Centre as the Depot Support Manager and took on responsibilities for all the site support functions (Journey Planning, Stock Management, POD Management, Customer Service, IT, Security, H&S etc) the role gave me an excellent insight into the working of a Distribution Centre and good insight into people management.
In early 2003, I moved to our Minworth Distribution Centre as Warehouse Manager on a 6 month placement to further develop my people management and development skills. This placement proved a good challenge, with shifts of 70+ individuals to manage and with huge Easter volumes to deliver.
Following my placement at Minworth I moved to Bournville to take on the role of Radial Delivery Manager within the Transport function. This role gave me exposure to and the opportunity to manage a number of large distribution projects including the outsourcing and rationalising of our transport provider base in the UK; the optimisation of our UK Distribution Centre network and the centralisation of our transport planning and warehouse scheduling operations in order to drive cost and customer service benefits.
In 2006, I made another development move taking on the role of DRP Manager within the Supply Planning function. This role gave me the accountability for effective stock positioning in order to maximise customer service levels, in mid-2006 I took on the additional responsibility for the Supply Chain IPM Project Management Team which gave me some great exposure and understanding of the product change management processes.
In early 2008 I took on my current role of Head of Customer Logistics Development, this was a brand new role and a new team. My team focuses on development initiatives to build internal capability for the business; to create value by optimising ways of working and processes and embedding a continuous improvement mindset and approach across the function and to provide the capabilities and understanding to win with our key customers.
What do you love about working at Cadbury?
One of the great things about working for Cadbury is the reaction you get when you tell people where you work. The Cadbury brand is one everyone has heard of and people are always eager to know more ("Do you get free chocolate?" being a favourite!). The scale of the business makes it a great place to build a career, with exciting opportunities available if you are prepared to push yourself and go that extra mile in order to develop and succeed.
What has been your favourite role and why?
I'm hugely enthused by my current role. With the foundation of excellent customer service levels in recent times, my team and I have a great opportunity to shape the way our business operates and to add value and to make a real difference for our customers.
What has been your most challenging role and why?
The Minworth Warehouse Manager….my body just never got used to working those shifts!!
What is your favourite product and why?
It has to be Wispa, I love the taste and it brings back memories of eating it as a kid the first time around!!