Who would have thought?
Eighteen months ago, if someone told me I would be working for The Warehouse, I would have laughed at them.
As a BCom student at Otago Uni, my marketing/design career was all mapped out until I was thrown a curve ball and decided that, in the pursuit of happiness, I would move to Palmerston North. In that move I ended up online looking for work when The Warehouse and its Store Manager Development Programme (SMDP) caught my eye. I read about it, thought about it, spoke with some friends about it and then made the decision to apply!
And you know what? Turns out that this has to be the greatest decision I have ever made. After being on the SMDP, I’m proud to work for a NZ company and to put on my red shirt each day and head off each day to lead my awesome team. In fact, I was proud the very first day I put on my red shirt 8 months ago.
My store of learning (that’s what the call the store you are sent to to get specalised training and support) was Feilding, a small store full of great people. I learned so much in the four months I spent there, not just in regards to have a store operates, but in regards to people and how they can come together to work as a team. I also had an inspirational mentor or two and while I did have a few stuggles along the way, I was never without the support of any of the team.
I’m now a few months into my first phase 2 role - currently as Nightfill Team Leader in the Palmerston North store. A role that, to say the least, has presented many challenges. I started my role here about 6 weeks out from Xmas with a team of 35 (now 22) and it was full on, right from the word go. When people who work in retail tell you Xmas is busy, they are severely underestimating what they go through. Busy just doesn’t quite explain it! However, I’ve learnt so much about me, about being a manager and about my team.
There certainly has never been a dull moment. There’s always something around the corner to jump out and challenge you. That’s what I love so much about being on this Programme. So to anyone reading this, if you want to become a great leader, I’d say look into this Programme.
Feel free to ask me questions. I’ll try and answer them as best I can. I’d love to hear from you.
Check out the Programme in more detail, or other career opportunities at The Warehouse, by clicking on www.thewarehousecareers.co.nz
