Start date: 2019
Location: Leicester
“I joined Samworth Brothers in 2019 as a Despatch Operative at Kettleby Foods. I was studying for my MBA with Data Analytics at Nottingham Business School at the same time. I graduated in September 2020 and then joined Walkers Deli & Sausage Co in early 2021. In my current role, I support the Category Management function with regular and ad hoc reporting to analyse promotions, ranges and shopper behaviour.
The Category team are constantly commissioning interesting research projects, in collaboration with the wider Group Insight team. These projects enable us to understand our shoppers better, how they use/consume our products, and their attitudes towards them. It’s really rewarding to see my work contribute towards a positive and visible change within our retail customers. At the moment I’m reviewing barbecue products (and this includes tasting all the new and interesting products in the market!) to help us develop our range recommendations for next year.
Since I’ve been at Samworth Brothers, I’ve been on the ‘Finance for Commercial’ course as part of the Samworth Brothers Commercial Excellence Programme. I’ve also enrolled for three further courses later in the year: ‘Finding Actionable Insight’, ‘Category Management Fundamentals’ and ‘Compelling Storytelling’.
These courses are certainly a valuable way of upskilling the whole team but they are more than this: they also provide a forum within which we are able to develop relationships with colleagues around the Group, and where we can share best practices and learnings.
I’d describe myself as a bit of a late starter in FMCG but I’m hoping to fast track my career and advance into management as soon as possible. And I know that I will be given all the support and opportunity I need in order to progress my ambition – not just within Walkers Deli & Sausage Co but within the wider Samworth Brothers group.”