NATIONAL CAREERS WEEK – WHY CHOOSE A CAREER IN LOGISTICS?

Chris Coulson, National HSEQ Manager, Howard Tenens Ltd

How long have you worked in logistics?
Since 1987, when I joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps / Royal Logistic Corps (British Army).

What did you want to do when you grew up?  
I always wanted to join the Army and be a soldier.

Tell us a little about your progression?

I left the British Army after 14 years’ service in 2001, as a newly qualified health and safety professional. Having just completed my NEBOSH National General Certificate as part of my resettlement programme, I started working for a small family run business looking after health and safety, but was made redundant after 2 years.  
I then started working for Excel Logistics in a large warehouse in Corby, as the Health, Safety, Site Services and Training Manager, whilst there I became a Fire Extinguisher / Fire Marshall Instructor.  When I left, I started working for G4S Cash Services as 1 of 2 health and safety managers, jointly looking after 64 sites throughout the UK.  Whilst at G4S, I completed my NEBOSH Diploma and NEBOSH Fire Risk and Safety Management qualifications which enabled to further my career and knowledge.  I then went on to work for my current employer – Howard Tenens – as the National HSEQ Manager, responsible for 14 warehouse sites throughout the UK.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced during your logistics career?

Changing people’s beliefs, attitudes and cultures towards good health and safety management practices and them having a clearer understanding of why it is important.

What do you most love about your career?

No two days are the same, there are different challenges to overcome on a daily basis.  Seeing the expression on someone’s face when they eventually ‘get it’, compared to what they might have thought about health and safety when they woke up that morning.

Why would you encourage others to work in logistics?

The variety of the job, learning new skills and meeting lots of interesting like-minded people.

And finally, what is a fun, random fact about you?

I’m a secret caravaner.

Mitchell West, Operational Key Account Manager – Aerospace, DB Schenker

How long have you worked in logistics?

8 years.

What did you want to do when you grew up?

A pilot.

Tell us a little about your progression?

I began my career as a multimodal apprentice in the Bournemouth branch of DB Schenker, covering air, road and sea freight whilst completing a Level 2 and 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship. After roughly 18 months, I was offered a full-time position in the air import team, working within one of the aerospace key accounts. I remained in the Bournemouth office for about 3 years, covering various other aerospace accounts as well as a few other sectors, cosmetics being one of them. To further my progression, I decided to move to London where there was a much wider base for opportunities across a huge network of freight forwarders. I initially left DB Schenker to work for another forwarder, Nippon Express, but after around 3 months an opportunity to join the DB Schenker head office at Heathrow within their dedicated aerospace team was presented to me. I came back as an Import Operator and quickly got to grips with the work, the team and the department and I was thankfully offered the position of Aerospace Team Leader after just 6 months. A roll that encompassed overseeing imports, exports and a dedicated key account team of 13 (all airfreight). I spent roughly 18 months in this role, faced a lot of challenges but overall this was the position the prepared me for where I am today. I’ve since been promoted to the Operational Key Account Manager, where I act as both the Operations Manager for the whole aerospace team (now 28 people including the previous team and the AOG team) and the Key Account Manager for the team where I meet regularly with customers, ensure service is up to scratch and look to further develop the business and relationships with said customers.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced during your logistics career?

Transition from Import Operator to Team leader whilst being the youngest member of the team.

What do you most love about your career?

The variety. No two days are the same, I’ve gone from standing in a hanger watching a Leonardo 101 helicopter being loaded into the front of an Antonov Cargo plane, to spending a day scanning documents to customer for customs clearance, to getting a call at 5pm and hoping on the next flight to Hamburg with a box under my arm. And everything in between.

Why would you encourage others to work in logistics?

Excuse the cliché, but possibilities are endless. A company the size of DB Schenker has every function, imports/exports, air freight/sea freight, marketing, sales, forklift drivers, the list goes on. The roles are always challenging, and every day something new can be learnt. Another cliché for you… every day is a school day.

And finally, what is a fun, random fact about you?

On that trip to Hamburg, I arrived at the hotel and they’d over booked. I had to share a room with a stranger from Germany for the night.

Giulio Vecchio, Traffic Router, Europa Road Limited

How long have you worked in logistics?

12 years in total. My first job within the sector was route planning for drivers, making deliveries of Foodstuffs to markets and stores.  Every day was a different challenge which was based on orders received.  At Europa, the challenges have been different. I was introduced to a completely different side of logistics by routing trailers and rigid vehicles for the Northampton office for general groupage cargo. That meant routing today, then looking after those drivers the following day to ensure all work was completed, and on time. Now I route the Artic Fleet at Dartford and look after those drivers also during the day.

What did you want to do when you grew up?

I have a great love for animals so, in my younger days back in South Africa, I wanted to be a wildlife conservationist.

Tell us a little about your progression?

I started in the sector with no experience. During my time working in different companies, I have gained a lot of knowledge from various people about the do’s and don’ts.  When I started my career at Europa, it was with the help of a close-knit team that I was able to run the entire Northampton area fleet alone, with both the Class 1 & 2 fleet.  When the company decided on a different direction of the business, I was able to transfer my skillset to working on the Trailer Fleet at Dartford.  Working alongside experienced colleagues, my knowledge is now of a higher level to be able to be left to control not only the daily operation, but to work with dozens of third party hauliers the length and breadth of the country in order to manage volume as well as costs making our operation as professional and cost effective as it can be.  I am always looking for opportunities within my position and hope to gain my Transport Manager CPC in 2020, that I know my colleagues and indeed company will support me in achieving.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your logistics career?

There are a fair few, like road/bridge closures, customers wanting additional collections on arrival meaning a re-route of other drivers to make the day effective, keeping drivers working within the confines of driver hour and working time directive regulations, but snow has always proved to be the most challenging.

What do you most love about your career?

Every day comes with new challenges, not all great but thankfully I work within a team that are always willing to help if called upon.

Why would you encourage others to work in logistics?

Logistics can be a highly satisfying job, but also one that requires discipline and teamwork. It is one of the most important career fields in the world. Without the planning and distribution of resources, there would be food and fuel shortages and goods would cease to be delivered… No internet shopping, eeeek!!!

And finally, what is a fun, random fact about you?

Some people say they would hate to sit at home all day… not me!! As long as Magda and the pets are with me I would be more than happy to stay at home.

Heather Waugh, Train Driver/Locomotive Engineer, Freightliner Group/G&W

How long have you worked in logistics?

Before starting my career as a Train Driver, I started my role in logistics with Royal Mail as an Operational Manager. 10 years later, I moved to Scotrail and started my role as a Train Driver for just over 12 years, before moving to Freightliner and have been here for 1 year.

What did you want to do when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a sports journalist.

Tell us a little about your progression?

I became the youngest Operational Manager in Royal Mail, aged 20, running a delivery office of 70 postmen. I progressed to Training and Development, and then Planning Manager, before leaving Royal Mail to become a Train Driver with Scotrail in 2006.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your logistics career?

In Royal Mail, I had to deal with a bomb scare at 5am on a freezing cold winter morning. I had to get the staff transported to another delivery office, deal with the emergency services, and then put in place measures to ensure the mail wasn’t delayed!  Safety is always the primary concern, and then ensuring minimal disruption.

As a Train Driver, my biggest and worst challenge was sadly dealing with a fatality.  The incident happened at a train station which meant I had to react quickly to move all passengers on the platform away from the area, and then move the passengers from within my own train away from the station, without anyone becoming distressed.  Despite the incredibly distressing circumstances, you always have to put safety first and ensure you communicate with all the relevant people, i.e. signaller, emergency services, and passengers. 

This is when you really appreciate being part of the amazing ‘railway family’ who go over and above to make sure you are supported at times like that.

What do you most love about your career?

It is a real privilege to be entrusted to drive these amazing trains.  Locomotives with up to 10,000 brake horse power and pulling loads of around 2,000 tonnes.  You are responsible for delivering items safely and on time. You aren’t just protecting the reputation of your own company, but you are fulfilling the promise of your customers to theirs.  You are delivering for hundreds of businesses.  Failing them damages, their reputation which is why I enjoy working for Freightliner as they genuinely go the extra mile to ensure we don’t let our customers down.

And I love the environment within the railway.  Amazing people who look after each other.

Why would you encourage others to work in logistics?

Ultimately, you want to come to work and know you’ve made a difference.  Every day in logistics, you are delivering on promises. The promises that your employer has made, and the promises that your customers have made.  It is rewarding to know you’ve played a part in such a vital industry.  And when things go wrong, for example, weather, mechanical issues, etc. it challenges everyone to come up with solutions. 

And finally, what is a fun, random fact about you?

When I was younger, I played football and took part in a pre-cursor to the Women’s European Cup in Verona, Italy. Incredibly, we won, and when we returned to Scotland with the trophy, we were given a Civic Reception by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and also led the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Cavalcade which was attended by over 100,000 people! A brilliant experience!