How did you get where you are today?
My first job was in a marketing consultancy, which was a fantastic learning curve. I then moved on to a seven-year stint at Electronic Arts, marketing computer games. Then I joined WeightWatchers, developing products for the meetings business for three years. I then had a stint on the supplier side as a business development manager in the food industry, working with Sainsbury's and Asda. It was an invaluable insight into 'what it's like out there' trading. I then went back to WeightWatchers, which feels like home, even though it's 168 miles from where I live! It's so rewarding watching people's lives change through weight loss and the confidence it brings.
What was the best decision you have made in your career and why?
Actually, to leave WeightWatchers and take a leap into the supplier side and selling because without that experience I don't think I could survive in my current role, heading the commercial/business development aspects of WeightWatchers UK's food-licensing business.
Whom do you most admire in grocery?
At the moment, Justin King, chief executive of Sainsbury's, but ask me again in six months. I'm so fickle!
If you could change one thing in the grocery what would it be?
I would ask that all buyers work on the supplier side as part of their induction. It can be extremely beneficial to understand each other's needs from each other's perspectives and then work out what to do together.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Two things - attending a WeightWatchers Leader Roadshow, which is tear-jerking, but absolutely reinforces why everyone's hard work and passion are so worth it; and when my boss says 'wow, that's absolutely brilliant'. I'm a cheap date!
What is the one thing you could not do your job without? A Blackberry.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today?
Most people love food, and the ones who don't have something wrong with them! So get into the industry early and enjoy the tastings! Be prepared to work very, very hard. There's no such thing as an 'easy listening' for either retailer or supplier.
What do you like doing when you are not working? Eating out, drinking wine, travelling, and sleeping.
Where do you hope to be in five years' time?
To be making a difference, whatever the role. And I hope I have the energy to still be working at this pace!
My first job was in a marketing consultancy, which was a fantastic learning curve. I then moved on to a seven-year stint at Electronic Arts, marketing computer games. Then I joined WeightWatchers, developing products for the meetings business for three years. I then had a stint on the supplier side as a business development manager in the food industry, working with Sainsbury's and Asda. It was an invaluable insight into 'what it's like out there' trading. I then went back to WeightWatchers, which feels like home, even though it's 168 miles from where I live! It's so rewarding watching people's lives change through weight loss and the confidence it brings.
What was the best decision you have made in your career and why?
Actually, to leave WeightWatchers and take a leap into the supplier side and selling because without that experience I don't think I could survive in my current role, heading the commercial/business development aspects of WeightWatchers UK's food-licensing business.
Whom do you most admire in grocery?
At the moment, Justin King, chief executive of Sainsbury's, but ask me again in six months. I'm so fickle!
If you could change one thing in the grocery what would it be?
I would ask that all buyers work on the supplier side as part of their induction. It can be extremely beneficial to understand each other's needs from each other's perspectives and then work out what to do together.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Two things - attending a WeightWatchers Leader Roadshow, which is tear-jerking, but absolutely reinforces why everyone's hard work and passion are so worth it; and when my boss says 'wow, that's absolutely brilliant'. I'm a cheap date!
What is the one thing you could not do your job without? A Blackberry.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today?
Most people love food, and the ones who don't have something wrong with them! So get into the industry early and enjoy the tastings! Be prepared to work very, very hard. There's no such thing as an 'easy listening' for either retailer or supplier.
What do you like doing when you are not working? Eating out, drinking wine, travelling, and sleeping.
Where do you hope to be in five years' time?
To be making a difference, whatever the role. And I hope I have the energy to still be working at this pace!
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