Andrew

• Karl
  Business Development Manager
• Charlotte
  Trading Assistant
• Gareth
  Distribution Operations Manager
• Michael
  Procurement Manager
• Geri
  Business Analyst
• Caroline
  Festive Plush Buyer
• Raj
  Buying Manager
• Caroline
  People Director
• Craig
  Buying Manager
• Feroz
  General Store Manager
• Martha
  Head of General Merchandise Marketing
• Emma
  Head of Food Business Development, Finance Team
• Andrew
  Transport Operations Manager

Andrew
Transport Operations Manager
Depot

Hi, I'm Andrew, the Transport Operations Manager at one of our depots in the North East. I oversee the running of the transport fleet in and out of the distribution centre; maintaining service to our stores and controlling costs. I really enjoy it because it's such a fast-paced role and the team spirit here is brilliant.

I joined ASDA in 2003 on the Logistics graduate scheme. What attracted me initially to the logistics scheme were the opportunities I would have to move around the UK as you move roles on the scheme every 6 months. Additionally, as we are part of Wal*Mart, I knew there would be opportunities to progress through a career here because Wal*Mart is the biggest retailer in the world.

I've had a really varied and interesting career at ASDA so far as I've had the opportunity to work in a number of different roles in both depot and at ASDA House in Leeds, the ASDA Home office. Whatever role you're in, there are always opportunities to develop with lots of training available to you to help you progress if you want to. ASDA have a mentoring scheme where you can identify another colleague who is a great role model and could help you with a development need. My mentor has really inspired me to focus and drive my development through regular catch ups and sharing ideas about how I could improve and develop. At ASDA you are given responsibility and accountability early in your career and although there is always lots of support available when it's needed, it's up to the colleague to grab the bull by the horns and go for it!

The most exciting opportunity I've had here at ASDA was when I represented ASDA distribution in Mexico at the Wal*Mart Global Logistics Programme earlier this year. Wal*Mart are looking to align their distribution systems and so there was the chance to share best practice with and meet retailers from all over the world! It was an amazing trip and I was really lucky that my varied experience throughout the distribution business made me an ideal colleague to be involved in the project. I'm really looking forward to the next steps now so that we can see all the ideas that were shared come together.

At the time of writing this I had been in my Transport Ops role for just a couple of weeks and so I'm looking to stay in this role for the next few years. My main objectives here include running a fantastic transport operation and driving the ASDA culture within the depot. Then I'll look at the Stepping Stones development programme so that I can prepare to move on to a General Manager role and beyond!