My Alternative CV: Beyond Meat’s Lee Crane on Watford FC, Oasis and jalapeños

Name: Lee Crane

Job title: Regional sales manager for retail, UK & Ireland

Company: Beyond Meat

What was your first job? I worked at WH Smith in the newspapers & magazine section.

What’s been your worst job interview? A three-hour interview that included two exams, all done in the presence of four other candidates. It was so formal and clinical – a truly bizarre experience.

What was the first music single you bought? Oasis – All Around the World.

 “From eco-friendly packaging to encouraging recycling and reducing single-use items, we need to minimise waste and protect the planet for future generations”

How do you describe your job to your friends? I sell plant-based burgers to supermarkets.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Seeing a product I believe in launch in a major supermarket and outperform expectations.

What is the least rewarding part? Letting down a customer due to an issue that’s out of my hands.

What is your motto in life? Treat people how you expect to be treated.

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? A season ticket at Watford FC – with Beyond Meat on the menu!

Do you have any phobias? Yes, heights!

If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? Making the industry even more sustainable – and doing it faster! From eco-friendly packaging to encouraging recycling and reducing single-use items, we need to minimise waste and protect the planet for future generations.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? A luxury yacht with a full tank of fuel. I’d enjoy the island by day and return to my yacht in the evening.

What animal most reflects your personality? I’d say a dolphin. I’m sociable, thrive on teamwork, and love the ocean. The idea of cruising through waves with friends and family sounds perfect!

What’s your favourite film and why? Heat. It’s the best action film ever, featuring three of the greatest actors of our generation – Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Val Kilmer. They’re absolute legends, and I’ve yet to see a bad film from them in their heyday.

Read more on Veganuary:

• Lidl becomes first major retailer to adopt Vegetarian Society’s ‘Plant Based’ accreditation standard

• What’s new in stores for Veganuary 2025?

• Vegan liquid egg and Frickles: Aldi Plant Menu for Veganuary 2025

What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? Snowboarding for the first time in Bulgaria. I wasn’t great at stopping, and while speeding down a hill, I had to make a split-second decision: try to stop and hurt myself, or scoop up a child in my path and keep going.

I chose option two, much to my friends’ amusement. Thankfully, the child’s parents saw the funny side, and no one was hurt – except my pride.

Which celebrity would you most like to work with and why? Lewis Hamilton. I’m a big F1 fan, and his dedication to finding an edge over competitors to win seven (or eight!) world championships is inspiring. Plus, as a vegan, I’m sure he’d appreciate a Beyond Burger!

What would your death row meal be? A Beyond Jalapeño Burger – with extra jalapeños!

Interested in finding out more about food & drink careers? Check out GrocerJobs for the latest vacancies