Vince Armitage, divisional vice president at Varta Consumer Batteries UK, on luggage, Vimto and Lee Evans
What was your first-ever job? Trainee grocery manager at Norwest Co-op. My specialist subject was price-changing tinned goods with white spirit and a rubber stamp.
You've got 25 words to describe your career to date. Food retail to a sales role at Carnation Foods and then on to the pet trade division. From there, 28 years in batteries to present day.
How do you describe your job to your mates? Torchie the battery boy with air miles.
What is the worst job you've ever had? Weekends at dog and cat shows when I'm allergic to animals.
If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? Like cars and politics, the grocery sector has become very me-too. I would like to see companies try something different and new.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Seeing people grow and develop.
What is the least rewarding part? Losing your luggage on day one of a two-week business trip.
If you didn't work in grocery where would you work? A small vineyard in Australia or California not just tasting the wine, you understand, but it would be a vital part of my duties.
What's your best interview tip? Make every second count. You've got 1,000 seconds to impress and make that position yours.
Where do you hope to be in five years? Still breathing would be a good start.
If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? Unlimited first-class air travel and executive lounge access for the rest of my life.
What is your motto in life? Treat people right on the way up as you will meet them again on the way down.
What do you like to do outside work? Outside work? Is that a trick question?
What's your favourite movie? As Good as It Gets starring Jack Nicholson. There is a great line in the film where he says: "I'm drowning here and you're describing the... water!"
If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be and why? I would pick Lee Evans. We all need to laugh more often.
What would you request as your final meal? A Holland's meat pie, mashed potatoes and Vimto. It would bring back childhood memories.
What's the weirdest thing you've eaten? Goose feet. A dish I recommend you avoid when in China.
What animal best reflects your personality and why? A camel. I can go for days without a drink and I'm often told I have 'the hump''.
What was your first-ever job? Trainee grocery manager at Norwest Co-op. My specialist subject was price-changing tinned goods with white spirit and a rubber stamp.
You've got 25 words to describe your career to date. Food retail to a sales role at Carnation Foods and then on to the pet trade division. From there, 28 years in batteries to present day.
How do you describe your job to your mates? Torchie the battery boy with air miles.
What is the worst job you've ever had? Weekends at dog and cat shows when I'm allergic to animals.
If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? Like cars and politics, the grocery sector has become very me-too. I would like to see companies try something different and new.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Seeing people grow and develop.
What is the least rewarding part? Losing your luggage on day one of a two-week business trip.
If you didn't work in grocery where would you work? A small vineyard in Australia or California not just tasting the wine, you understand, but it would be a vital part of my duties.
What's your best interview tip? Make every second count. You've got 1,000 seconds to impress and make that position yours.
Where do you hope to be in five years? Still breathing would be a good start.
If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? Unlimited first-class air travel and executive lounge access for the rest of my life.
What is your motto in life? Treat people right on the way up as you will meet them again on the way down.
What do you like to do outside work? Outside work? Is that a trick question?
What's your favourite movie? As Good as It Gets starring Jack Nicholson. There is a great line in the film where he says: "I'm drowning here and you're describing the... water!"
If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be and why? I would pick Lee Evans. We all need to laugh more often.
What would you request as your final meal? A Holland's meat pie, mashed potatoes and Vimto. It would bring back childhood memories.
What's the weirdest thing you've eaten? Goose feet. A dish I recommend you avoid when in China.
What animal best reflects your personality and why? A camel. I can go for days without a drink and I'm often told I have 'the hump''.
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