Michael

• 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

Michael,
Property and Construction Graduate

Hi. I’m Michael, I'm a Procurement Manager on the Property and Construction graduate programme. My role involves procuring (or buying to you and me) materials to build new stores and expand our existing ones from a range of different suppliers.

It’s a role which is important in quite a few ways. Firstly, and obviously, we need to get the materials if we’re going to build the stores. Secondly, the more we can negotiate off the cost of materials, the more we can pass the savings on to our customers in the form of low prices – that’s what we as a business are all about. Thirdly, with environmental issues being such a major consideration for all of us, and especially ASDA, it gives us the opportunity to make sure that sustainable materials are always our first choice

Since I left Leeds University in 2004 and joined ASDA I’ve had a variety of different roles. You tend to make a move every year whilst on the graduate programme, which gives you a real insight into different areas of the business. I’ve worked at ASDA House in Leeds, I’ve travelled to construction sites to see our stores being built and I’ve travelled even further to support my Line Manager on a buying trip to the Middle East!

I chose ASDA after graduation because all through my degree I’d heard it was one of the best companies in Leeds to work for. In terms of training, I couldn’t have done better and I’m even being supported in my efforts to get my CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Suppliers) qualification.

Working here is also great socially, on a Monday evening I play in a 5-a-side football tournament with my team and the exec team at ASDA have been known to turn out on the football field with us! Some of the colleagues in my team are also planning a trek across the Sahara later this year, living in tents, to raise money for charity. Across ASDA, there's loads going on, all you need to do is want to get involved!