University: Sheffield Hallam University 2003 - 2007, First Class BSc (Hons) Food Marketing Management

Post MDS Permanent Role - Assistant Technologist  - Tesco Supermarkets Ltd

Assistant Fruit Buyer, Waitrose, Bracknell, May 2009 - November 2009

Responsibilities:

• To manage a project driving forward proposals for improvement to the system for processing branch wastage claims. The project involves engaging with and influencing a wide range of individuals across the business and has the potential to deliver radical benefits to branches and central departments
• To provide support to the fruit buying team, updating systems as and when required, carrying out competitor comparisons and organising sensory analysis of potential new lines
• In the later stages of the secondment I shall take responsibility for the lime and lemon lines, considering past performances and future opportunities to improve sales for this part of the assortment
• To coordinate the implementation of a promotion for all organic fruit and vegetable lines, using the commercial systems and liaising with buyers and suppliers to deliver the promotion

Achievements:

• Developed an understanding of the role of a supermarket buyer, understanding the KPIs used to measure performance
• Recognised the competencies required by retailers of the various supplier roles
• Completed one week of in branch training, spending time across all departments of the retail environment with particular focus in the fruit, vegetable and horticulture section

Quality Control Manager, Riverford Organic Vegetables, Devon, Oct 2008 - April 2009

Responsibilities:

• Oversaw the daily running of the quality control department
• Managed and developed the quality control team
• Ensured high levels of quality, productivity and accuracy were maintained
• Ensured the team were fully trained and competent in using a new electronic system for the booking in of produce
• Became the focal point for the goods in/QC area and communicated with co-op farmers and other departments
• Monitored staff levels in accordance with Riverford’s culture and procedures                                                    

Achievements:

• Implemented a ‘Top 20 Veg Policy’ to improve the breadth and depth of the QC specialists
• Completed the Riverford Development Programme
• Successfully presented a case for employing a new team member to reduce overtime hours
• Became able to provide sufficient technical support to the team during the introduction of a new electronic booking in system
• Dealt appropriately with difficult personnel issues within the team, significantly improving my people management skills

Packhouse Manager, Sandfields Farms Ltd (G’s Marketing), Warwickshire, April 2008 - Oct 2008
                  
Responsibilities:

• Was responsible for the asparagus and bean packing operation
• Involved in setting up a new packhouse to comply with BRC standard
• Efficiently managed the packhouse labour pool
• Ensured product was graded to packing specification and daily orders were met
• Ensured product was graded to maximise output
• Took responsibility for stock management and rotation
• Liaised with the procurement team with production updates and future requirements
• Took responsibility for overseeing the health and safety of all labour in the packhouse
• Ensured QC records and staff time sheets were completed timely and accurately

Achievements:

• Prepared and updated systems for BRC audit
• Coordinated a successful asparagus and bean packing operation in a new packhouse
• Managed up to sixty Eastern European students, significantly developing my people management skills
• Motivated staff to complete jobs they were initially unhappy to complete
• Took responsibility for regularly reviewing the success and accuracy of the piece rates set for a variety of jobs

Assistant Technical Manager, Humber VHB, West Sussex, Sept 2007 - March 2008  

Responsibilities:

• Created grower information packs for all suppliers of cut and bunched herbs, involved writing Humber VHB specifications and accompanying due diligence documentation
• Created an updated and improved version of a Tesco Depot Manual and organised the photography of products
• Wrote a QA/QC training manual for use across two nurseries
• Put together Sainsbury’s and M&S Quality Attribute Sheets, established tolerances and used photography to illustrate levels of acceptable and unacceptable defects.
• Acted as a QC when necessary during busy periods

Achievements:

• Greatly improved technical understanding, terminology and writing ability
• Grasped a significant understanding of QA and QC roles, responsibilities and procedures to enable the writing of the training manual
• Working on large projects enabled me to improve my time management and organisational skills
• Showed ability to work under pressure to achieve tight deadlines and willingness to take on extra work to help other members of the technical team
• Presentation to the board of directors allowed abilities and confidence in presenting to develop
• Attended pesticide awareness seminars