Paddy Hughes, the logistics manager at Gü Chocolate Puds, on why he chose to move from a large retailer to a minnow manufacturer
When offered the job at Gü Chocolate Puds, I was working for Tesco. It seemed quite daunting. I was moving from a huge company to one employing six people. When at Tesco, if I had difficulties with my computer, I would phone IT support. Now if I have computer difficulties, I have to refer to the manual and cure it myself.
But my current role is a dream job - I am paid to eat chocolate! Sometimes I have overdone it, it’s difficult to stop, particularly when you are sampling alternative sources for your chocolate or when a range of products on the market is sampled during new product development.
I enjoy juggling many balls in the air, from invoicing, planning, customer service, quality control, product development, and that’s before I worry about distribution and warehousing. The chilled desserts category is a fast-moving business. Short-life products keep you on your toes. Any over-enthusiastic forecasts can quickly lead to significant waste.
I produce orders to a forecast the day before I get them. I can keep some safety stock in the warehouse, but only for about three days.
Managing the logistics for a supplier is a challenge, yet it gives me the experience of working across a supply chain. For instance, I forecast one year ahead in order to secure components and ingredients, some of which are ordered in millions. At the other end of the scale, my daily production orders are in hundreds.
When product supply to the retailers is sufficient, I am generally not customer-facing. It is important, however, to ensure that open communication is kept with the retail supply chain teams. This helps to prevent any misunderstandings and helps when things do not go according to plan. While nobody can lose sight of their own customers, efficient systems and procedures ensure that the process of supply and logistics allows for maximum sales with minimal waste.
My plans for the day can easily change in terms of logistics. Many variables include traffic, production delays, supplier shortages and Electronic Data Interchange failure. Some challenges have a quick fix; others have significant impact.
Last year one of the production machines broke down. The part was crucial and no more of that product could be made until a replacement was fitted. If this part was readily available at an out-of-town DIY outlet, then no problem. But I have never seen parts for industrial machinery in my local outlet. The part was flown in overnight from the Continent with the machine back online the next day.
As well as supply chain fulfilment
and planning, I look after EDI and invoicing systems, quality and customer service. This wide spread of responsibilities can be tough, although it is very rewarding.
So how did I get into logistics? To be honest, it was pretty much by accident. I started working full time in Tesco. I decided to take one of the remaining full-time jobs that were on offer for the new store opening. I was to be the trolley boy with ambition!
I moved quickly into grocery stock control before being accepted on the graduate management training scheme. I moved to distribution with Tesco, then became a fresh food planner at Safeway head office where my stores became my customers. It was then back to Tesco to join its primary distribution team.
Today at Gü, I am with a new company and a new brand, growing rapidly with many new ideas. It is all about fun and indulgence and this is reflected in the working environment. During the challenging times, I always have my 2pm tasting session to look forward to each day.
n Paddy Hughes is among retailers and suppliers speaking at Careers in Food and Drink Live between March 8-10 at the NEC. For details log on to www.careersinfoodanddrink.co.uk
When offered the job at Gü Chocolate Puds, I was working for Tesco. It seemed quite daunting. I was moving from a huge company to one employing six people. When at Tesco, if I had difficulties with my computer, I would phone IT support. Now if I have computer difficulties, I have to refer to the manual and cure it myself.
But my current role is a dream job - I am paid to eat chocolate! Sometimes I have overdone it, it’s difficult to stop, particularly when you are sampling alternative sources for your chocolate or when a range of products on the market is sampled during new product development.
I enjoy juggling many balls in the air, from invoicing, planning, customer service, quality control, product development, and that’s before I worry about distribution and warehousing. The chilled desserts category is a fast-moving business. Short-life products keep you on your toes. Any over-enthusiastic forecasts can quickly lead to significant waste.
I produce orders to a forecast the day before I get them. I can keep some safety stock in the warehouse, but only for about three days.
Managing the logistics for a supplier is a challenge, yet it gives me the experience of working across a supply chain. For instance, I forecast one year ahead in order to secure components and ingredients, some of which are ordered in millions. At the other end of the scale, my daily production orders are in hundreds.
When product supply to the retailers is sufficient, I am generally not customer-facing. It is important, however, to ensure that open communication is kept with the retail supply chain teams. This helps to prevent any misunderstandings and helps when things do not go according to plan. While nobody can lose sight of their own customers, efficient systems and procedures ensure that the process of supply and logistics allows for maximum sales with minimal waste.
My plans for the day can easily change in terms of logistics. Many variables include traffic, production delays, supplier shortages and Electronic Data Interchange failure. Some challenges have a quick fix; others have significant impact.
Last year one of the production machines broke down. The part was crucial and no more of that product could be made until a replacement was fitted. If this part was readily available at an out-of-town DIY outlet, then no problem. But I have never seen parts for industrial machinery in my local outlet. The part was flown in overnight from the Continent with the machine back online the next day.
As well as supply chain fulfilment
and planning, I look after EDI and invoicing systems, quality and customer service. This wide spread of responsibilities can be tough, although it is very rewarding.
So how did I get into logistics? To be honest, it was pretty much by accident. I started working full time in Tesco. I decided to take one of the remaining full-time jobs that were on offer for the new store opening. I was to be the trolley boy with ambition!
I moved quickly into grocery stock control before being accepted on the graduate management training scheme. I moved to distribution with Tesco, then became a fresh food planner at Safeway head office where my stores became my customers. It was then back to Tesco to join its primary distribution team.
Today at Gü, I am with a new company and a new brand, growing rapidly with many new ideas. It is all about fun and indulgence and this is reflected in the working environment. During the challenging times, I always have my 2pm tasting session to look forward to each day.
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