Logistics Stories

“My role is an exciting one, in which I get the opportunity to work alongside some of the largest retailers in the UK, and support them with ways to improve their International supply chains.”

Lee’s focus is on understanding those retailers’ needs, then looking into the data, working with internal and external stakeholders, and project managing, before presenting solutions and tracking the benefits. His role demands a variety of skills, including consultative selling, problem solving, data analysis and visualisation, as well as both account and project management.

Lee worked his way up to his current role from trainee planner, and he values analysis, problem solving, logical thinking and a drive to deliver as his strongest professional assets.

When the job came up internally, Lee was quick to jump on an opportunity to learn and develop within the Sea Logistics International Supply Chain team. His main attraction to the role was the support he could give customers with their goals and targets, helping to solve problems that are causing them to lose sleep at night.

“I left college with not great A-levels and went straight into manual labour. I ended up working on a land based drilling rig. Working in this environment taught me a level of resilience, and problem solving – even though it wasn’t through data – was still massively present. On the rig with limited resources it amazed me that if something broke down, certain members of the team could fix it to ensure the job continued – through their experience and knowledge.”

It wasn’t until working in the office on that rig that Lee learned what logistics was. The logistics lead took him under their wing to show him how things worked operationally, and the rest is history.

Growing up in a rural community, Lee was always searching for opportunities to discover and learn new things. He’s forever grateful for the doors logistics has opened for him, and the ones still up ahead.

“Every day is so different, and I get to work with amazing colleagues, and customers who provide challenges for us to solve collaboratively.”

Following a product’s life cycle, and its journey from an order being placed, to that product being produced on the other side of the world, shipped, and then transported to the warehouse, is something Lee is fascinated by: “How we can influence the end customer experience by changing something 5,992+ miles away is incredible.”

Lee was part of the Regional Talent Programme at Kuehne + Nagel, and was one of 100 colleagues across Europe identified for their high performance.

“This was something I never thought I would get to take part in as I have never seen myself as a high performer. I just love the world of logistics!”

I am currently on a secondment as a Team Manager in the ambient warehouse, a role I’ll be in until later this year. During this time, I’m working towards passing my Leadership School assessments, and once I’ve completed these, I’m hoping to step into a full-time management role and continue progressing my career.

In terms of qualifications, I achieved C grades at GCSE, and that was the extent of my formal education at the time. Since then, I’ve had a huge amount of support in developing my skills and confidence. I didn’t always believe I was capable of progressing, but taking that big step forward, and having the right people around me, helped me realise I have far more to offer than I first thought.

I didn’t go to university. Instead, I studied plumbing at college and qualified as a plumber. Unfortunately, a knee injury meant I couldn’t continue in that line of work, but it led me to an opportunity at Morrisons Logistics — which turned out to be the right path for me.

I started as a Picker during COVID and worked my way up by getting trained in every role within the freezer department, including admin. As I gained more experience, I realised I wanted to progress further and challenge myself. That’s when I was given the opportunity to step into a Team Manager secondment.

What attracted me most to the role was the chance to help people. I knew I wanted to do more than just picking – I wanted to develop my skills, support others, and grow as a person.

The best thing about my role is being able to bring out the best in people. I love seeing my colleagues come into work happy and motivated, and building strong relationships where we support each other. I always try to lead by example: if I give my best, I find that others are inspired to do the same, and that creates a really positive working environment.

My biggest career highlight so far has been securing the Team Manager position, especially after doubting myself for so long. Receiving positive feedback and praise from senior management has been incredibly rewarding and has boosted my confidence even more.

My journey shows that it’s never too late to believe in yourself. With the right mindset, support, and determination, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible.

After graduating with a Geography degree in 2021, Megan joined GXO through its operational graduate scheme, taking full advantage of the diverse opportunities offered. During the scheme, she completed four rotations, gaining experience in roles such as First Line Manager, Implementation Support, assisting with the Clipper acquisition and integration, and working within the Talent Management team. As part of the programme, Megan also undertook three professional qualifications: IOSH – Health and Safety, Transport Management CPC, and a Level 3 Leadership and Management Apprenticeship. These equipped her with a strong foundation for a long and rewarding career in logistics, with plenty of scope for growth.

It was during this time that Megan decided to specialise in HR:

“I wanted to deepen my knowledge in an operational setting, and after completing the graduate scheme, I was offered a permanent role as an HR Advisor on the Sainsbury’s contract.”

This role involved regular travel across Sainsbury’s sites, conducting consultations, and delivering briefings to colleagues. Megan particularly enjoyed the variety, engaging with stakeholders on TUPE transfers, analysing employee data, and ensuring systems were accurate and up to date. She also led strategic HR projects to drive alignment and cost-saving initiatives. Alongside this, Megan began her CIPD Level 5 qualification to strengthen her HR expertise and support her long-term career goals.

Since then, Megan has embraced further opportunities, including a secondment as HR Manager at a large grocery site. More recently, she joined the central HR People Services team on secondment to support the integration of Wincanton into GXO. Following this, Megan secured a permanent role as HR Business Change Manager, where she now partners with operational teams and People Services to deliver TUPE transfers, site closures, and other organisational changes.

“This new role allows me to work on multiple projects and apply the knowledge and experience I’ve gained throughout my time at GXO.”

Simon began his logistics career in 2008, following 10 years in the Royal Air Force.

“Initially it was the technology sector that I wanted to explore, but this didn’t give me the variety that I craved. It felt limited and opportunities were only focused on a very specific area of the sector.”

However, with GXO he saw that he could develop a broader skill set, working across system development, web maintenance, business reporting, network maintenance and IT. Having established himself as a data analyst, GXO supported further educational opportunities, including various apprenticeships and ultimately, a Digital Technology and Solutions degree.

“I graduated with first class honours – but it was only made possible by the support of the management, and the passion I’d developed for the sector.”

The extra qualifications meant Simon was able to progress to his current role as a Senior Analyst, and to a career highlight.

“My personal highlight was developing a technology solution that controlled the loading of vehicles at a major food manufacturing site, which coordinated ~20,000 HGVs a year and transformed the reporting and administration.”

However, Simon’s keen to stress that logistics offers opportunities that are really accessible.

“It’s a fast-paced environment where progression isn’t limited. You aren’t restricted in specific roles, and there’s all sorts like IT, health & safety, HR, recruitment, legal, operations and loads more.”

Carl’s job is to support the day to day running’s of various sites from an IT perspective, whether that be our office spaces or warehouses; as well as supporting the end users with their issues and requests. As we have been under a large restructure and leaning towards more warehouses as well as acquisitions, this has meant that Carl has been able to do a lot more travel than he has had in previous roles. Something that he loves.

Carl wouldn’t say there are necessarily any specific qualifications needed for his role. Experience was more important. He initially started in IT as an apprentice with law company in 2012. He then moved on to Peel Ports, which was his first IT Support role within Logistics (little did he know he’d be back!). Then onto University of Liverpool & Liverpool Football Club.

Maersk reached out to him via LinkedIn. At the time he was working in an IT Support role for Liverpool Football Club, which for a fan was somewhat of a dream. When Maersk reached out, Carl wasn’t necessarily looking for a new role. But after speaking with the Talent Acquisition Partner, as well as his now line manager, they sold the role to him.

Carl never really had an interest in going to University, but there weren’t many IT apprenticeships around at the time. He was lucky enough to successfully get an apprenticeship at a solicitors, covering their IT. After 2.5 years there, Carl then moved on to Peel Ports, covering their IT Service Desk. This was his first insight into Logistics.

“I’d say the best thing for myself have been the travel, some of these locations are probably places I would have never ever visited, had it not been for working in logistics.”

Carl would say there are two highlights within his career so far.

1: Supporting the Global Leaders Conference in Gothenburg: This was a large scale event ran by Maersk for all of the leaders within the business. Carl’s role was to offer hands on support over the 3/4 day event

2:  The JCB intergration: As part of our partnership with JCB, Carl was tasked with helping the staff intergrate into the Maersk environment. This included installing relevant internet into their site, procuring hardware, building laptops & relevant desk equipment, setting printer & queues up- as well as their day to day support

My current job is a Continuous Improvement and Planning Support Manager (it’s quite a long winded title I know!), and this is my full time role at B&Q Worksop! I applied for this after doing something similar on my apprenticeship placement at B&Q Redhouse. My job involves ensuring that project are run to the right standard on site. I do this by being involved with the operation as much as possible! Running different meetings and workshops around Continuous Improvement (CI) and the DMAIC framework that CI is heavily influenced on. I also cover the Planning Manager on site when he is away on holidays, which involves data collection, input, and analysis of the operations weekly figures.

Doing my initial research into the business before joining, I expected a lot of unique working opportunities. This expectation was definitely met, with my first two and half years at the company seeing me go into various departments across different sites. My first placement on the apprenticeship programme was at Trax Park on the Husqvarna contract. Initially I was placed into the operational side of things within the warehouse! This was valuable as I had never worked within the logistics sector before, so having this experience was vital to my understanding of the operation. After this, I took on some more senior tasks, such as managing the collection and inputting of targets for the parts and accessories department, along with other reports which I oversaw, such as the investigation and reporting of pick errors for the customer services department.

My second placement was on the B&Q contract at Redhouse distribution centre in Doncaster. Again, firstly going into the operation, but with a set checklist of each department and what I had to learn going into these departments, which was assigned to me by my line manager. This took my through the warehouse from goods in to goods out (and everything in between!). Through doing this, I has a unique opportunity to see the whole operation of a major distribution centre from all responsibilities from a Warehouse Operative all the way to an Operations Manager, giving me a good insight into how a distribution centre is run.

As the third year of my apprenticeship began, I took the opportunity to stay at Redhouse DC and go into the Continuous Improvement department, something which had took my interest from my first placement at Trax Park! This role gave me the opportunity into working alongside the CI Manager on projects on site, helping to guide them, and make sure that the projects were successfully implemented. I also took up doing some workshops on site with colleagues and CI champions to help generate ideas.

The think I enjoyed most about my apprenticeship was flexibility in choice around my placements and opportunities! The programme allows for a lot of choice into doing what interests you. Whether this is the operational side of things, health and safety, or, as in my case, continuous improvement. Working with your entry talent team and on site management you are able to explore these options! When I think about my future, I am most excited about the management of my own team and results, ideally within a Continuous Improvement team. Being able to run my own team and guide the results of this is something I definitely want to do, and being able to pass on any knowledge I learn from the experience I have in the future.

The advice I would give to apprentices joining the sector is to make sure to get out there and make as many connections you can with people! It will definitely help in the future. Take on any opportunities handed to you and pursue whatever interests you within the sector. Also, make sure to devote enough time to your University studies! Being on time with that part of the apprenticeship is essential.

I started in the warehouse, picking, and then got onto the Sir Ken Morrison Leadership School. Now, I’m a manager – I was very supported!

Sometimes people find a career in logistics by searching for a job that perfectly fits their skills and ambitions. And sometimes, a career in logistics just finds them. For Callum, it was the latter.

“I ‘fell’ into logistics almost seven years ago not knowing what I wanted to do. After various roles within GXO I was given the opportunity to take the position as Site Manager, a position with a lot of opportunities for development.”

Callum started his logistics journey at 19, as a Junior Transport Operator with no previous industry experience or knowledge. Over the following four years he progressed to Transport Operator, Contract Manager then Shift Manager – at 24 years old, the youngest to achieve that role on site. But how?

“From a young age I was always able to adapt depending on the situation, I find that this is an important tool to have as you need to be able to adapt your approach and delivery depending on who you are talking with.”

Alongside clear communication, Callum’s determination, ambition, adaptability and confidence have helped him progress through a career that required no specific qualifications or experience. Just a willingness to grow and learn. Callum has now put himself forward for training courses such as ILM Leadership & Management level 3 and in-house ADR awareness, and undertook an OCR Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) international course, gaining his International CPC licence.

Ismail Fadul gained an  LGV Class C+E licence (to drive maximum weight articulated vehicles) thanks to a training programme organised by Road to Logistics.

Ismail had previously studied for a degree in Mechanical Engineering at St David’s University and a Masters at Swansea University. He joined Tata as a Mechanical Engineering Graduate at the Port Talbot Works.

With the threat of potential redundancies at Port Talbot, he applied to train to gain an LGV Driving Licence and become an LGV Driver. The training programme he enrolled for is organised by Road to Logistics on behalf of Cardiff and Vale College.

The final element of the training, which involves the practical tuition and test, was provided by Crosshands Training of  Cwmgwili, Carmarthenshire, who supported Ismail through the process.

Ismail is currently still working for Tata Steel, but should the circumstances change, he is now fully qualified to make the career change to become a professional LGV Driver.

As the Customs Risk and Audit Manager for the Europa Worldwide group, George is responsible for the group’s compliance with customs regulations / legislation and risk management strategy. This involves developing and implementing robust audit procedures to ensure the risk posed to the group through our customs operations are managed, reported on, and mitigated where possible.

He manages a team of customs compliance supervisors who conduct the auditing of declarations completed and the systems used within various customs divisions of the group across the UK & EU. The data that is produced from their auditing is compiled into output reports that are presented to the groups directors to discuss areas of concern with suggestions on how to implement I.T development to correct non-compliance and areas of focus for retraining.

His job requires a strong understanding of customs regulations and legislation as well as attention to detail and he has completed various levels of customs compliance academy training to further his knowledge however specific qualifications are not required.

George started working in the logistics industry when he was 19 as a junior customs clerk preparing declarations for sea freight containers. Since then, he has worked in various departments from a commercial customer facing role to operations, however since Brexit there has been a demand for people with an appetite for customs. George started at Europa in October 2020 as a Senior Customs declarant and from there has progressed to his current role.

The Customs Risk and Audit Manager position for George was a chance to develop and strengthen his understanding of global customs legislation whilst also being an opportunity to instil a “compliance focus” throughout the group. He believes by analysing the existing processes and procedures and adapting them to mitigate risk more efficiently he could really see a difference from the work he is doing daily.

Exposure to ever changing legislation and regulations and being able to successfully react as well as analysing and noticing improvements in the group’s overall compliance position is a big part of logistics.

Successfully overseeing the transition from the customs systems CHIEF to CDS was a great career highlight for George.

Daniella’s current role within the company is as Account Manager for SME clients (small to medium enterprise). Her customer portfolio is made up of accounts that have been won by her colleagues in the Business Development team and my main goal is to expand our current business with the clients, whether that be increasing volume or encouraging them to use the wide variety of services Maersk has to offer. She manages the account not just from a commercial perspective—she is the main point of contact for her clients. Resolving any issues they may have, answering all queries and ultimately ensuring that their account is managed correctly resulting in seamless business.

Prior to joining Maersk, Daniella achieved an undergraduate degree in English & Hispanic studies from the University of Nottingham. She joined Maersk as an apprentice and successfully completed her L3 qualification in Business Administration. Whilst these qualifications were not required for her current position, Daniella strongly believes they aided her in gaining this role.

Daniella was attracted to shipping and logistics due to the multitude of roles and development opportunities the industry has to offer. Since joining Maersk, she has worked within the sales support team, the control team, as a customs process administrator, a customs product and sales representative and now as an account manager.

The most beneficial she has developed within logistics is adaptability; this sector is ever-changing so having the ability to adjust to unforeseen circumstances and demonstrate resilience is key. Along with the ever-changing nature of this sector comes a need for problem-solving skills and the capability to rapidly implement solutions or come up with innovative ideas.

“The best thing about my role is the people. I am extremely lucky to have a team that encourages my growth and supports me daily.”

Her role is customer facing so she can interact with several different people every day.

It was difficult for Daniella to choose just one career highlight; Maersk and the logistics sector has opened so many doors for her. She has had the opportunity to participate in global networking, visit parliament and promote the logistics sector and ultimately grow as a young woman—learning from so many incredible individuals.

As a Supply Chain Management Degree Apprentice, I currently work within CEVA Logistics’ transport operation for a leading global OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). This operation involves the time-critical delivery and collection of aftermarket car parts to and from retailers across the UK. My day-to-day responsibilities include a mix of hands-on operational learning and structured development across various functions. I am actively involved in managing and supporting driver training and compliance, ensuring all drivers are briefed and up to date with safety, legal, and procedural requirements. This includes helping to coordinate inductions, monitoring training progress, and assisting with the implementation of best practices. I am also gaining valuable exposure to each role within the transport operation, including transport planning, administrative tasks, customer service, and other people-related responsibilities. By working closely with a wide variety of people in the company, I’m developing a strong understanding of how each part of the operation contributes to service performance and customer satisfaction. My role is continuously developing my communication and problem-solving skills in line with the rapidly changing requirements. Beyond the OEM operation, I am also continuously exploring the wider CEVA business to broaden my understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes. This includes learning about contract logistics, freight management, and business functions within CEVA’s central operations. I have had the opportunity to travel up and down the country to see other operations, attend events, conferences and be a part of projects. Though I do not have a set rotation, I will be able to explore broader business interests. This wider exposure is helping me to develop a well-rounded view of the logistics industry, while linking theory from my degree studies directly to real-world operations.

To get to my current position, I needed 3 A Levels at grade C or above. I found the role on Indeed and I was attracted as the position offered four years of continuous learning and development within the business, starting from scratch. It’s not expected of you to have the experience, but it’s there to provide you the experience and therefore become an asset to the company. Having some sort of financial security/freedom at such a young age while still experiencing university made me desire “the best of both worlds” During secondary school, I gained a few years of experience working in hospitality, which involved working with people and dealing with unexpected challenges. Each day differed, which is similar to the variability found in transport operations. While the roles are quite distinct, both require strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. The structured environment at school was something I became accustomed to, and currently, my training plan and apprenticeship programme provide a similar sense of structure rather than complete self-management or flexibility. I enjoy collaborating in a team, growing up playing multiple team sports, netball and football, replicates the teamwork skills required in the working environment of a logistics operation.

The best thing about my role is the genuine support and opportunities I have received from colleagues, managers and senior leaders who are more than willing to help me on my development journey. My career highlight to date has been being recognised and winning an award in the CEVA Northwest Europe Ground & Rail Quarter 1 Business Awards 2025.

Throughout my education when I was younger I was worried about not progressing in my work so I went to university. When I first went to uni, I thought I would come out and instantly be in a CEO position, which simply wasn’t realistic. As I grew up and through my time working at Asda in logistics, I understood more and more the importance of working your way into a role rather it being handed to you.

I worked in an Asda warehouse throughout my studies and decided there is an opportunity to progress here, so I stayed. Not too long after finishing uni and going into work full time, I was asked if I would like a position as a network co-ordinator where I track deliveries to and from my warehouse. At Asda, I am constantly trained on new skills like this and am taught how to function within every area of my depot. All of these new skills provide me with security and more confidence, something that Asda offer to all of their employees.

Originally, I wanted to go into sales due to the people aspect. I enjoy meeting people and communicating with everyone from different walks of life. However, this industry presented many fears. The hours are more often than not unbearably long, people are often rude and if for reasons beyond your control – you don’t sell anything – you don’t earn anything, so my career would’ve been financial unstable which is a great concern to me. With the role I’ve been given in Asda logistics, I get all of the benefits with the security of my pay at the end of the month.

Additionally, as logistics is such a broad sector, the transferable skills you learn are excellent. I could well see myself staying in this sector for the rest of my life, as it is unbelievably enjoyable solving the many problems that crop up, from something as small as finding an arrival time to something as big as an entire trailer being missing! It keeps me engaged and not many people can truly say they come home from work feeling accomplished and proud of the work that they do, ASDA provides that feeling for me and I’m sure in the years to come, with some hard work and dedication, I will be taking on jobs with even more importance, and finding even more accomplishment from solving them.

Nestlé UK and Ireland has a long-standing commitment to developing early career talent through apprenticeships, offering people the opportunity to gain real-world experience, earn while they learn and build long-term careers across the business.

With six apprenticeship schemes now live across a total of ten different locations, spanning areas such as Supply Chain, Engineering and Operations, Nestlé’s programmes are designed to give individuals meaningful responsibility from day one, alongside the support and structure needed to succeed.

One such apprentice is Ella Baptie, who joined Nestlé’s Customer Supply Chain team following her gap year after from sixth form. Having completed a three-year apprenticeship featuring multiple business rotations, Ella has since secured a permanent role in the customer-facing supply chain team, and has already been recognised as Supply Chain Apprentice of the Year in 2025.

Here, Ella shares how she found her passion, built confidence and launched her career through an apprenticeship at Nestlé.

Taking a different first step

After completing her A-Levels, Ella had always assumed university would be her next move.

Apprenticeships weren’t widely discussed at her sixth form, and it wasn’t until her father, who had been involved in recruitment and apprenticeship planning within his organisation, suggested it that she began to explore the option.

“I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Ella admits. “I ended up taking a gap year to give me some time and space to think about what my next steps were going to be, and it was during those 12 months that I started looking into apprenticeships as an option.”

One of those applications was to Nestlé’s supply chain apprenticeship. Despite having little understanding of what supply chain actually involved, the scheme stood out to her – and, to her surprise, after going through the interview process, she was successful in landing the role.

“I didn’t think I’d get it, so finding out I had was really exciting. I moved to York from my hometown, which was my first time living away from home. It was nerve-racking, but also a really big moment for me.”

Learning through rotation

Ella’s apprenticeship was structured around three rotations across the business, an approach she believes is one of the programme’s biggest strengths.

“Being so young, you don’t really know what you want to do. The rotations give you the chance to try different areas, learn what suits you and what doesn’t, without feeling like you’ve made the wrong choice.”

Her first rotation was within Nespresso’s delivery services team, where she was quickly given responsibility on major projects, including a warehouse move.

“It really threw me in at the deep end, but in the best way. I was coordinating stock movements, working with external teams and learning so much about how a business actually operates. I also got my own pair of boots to wear around the warehouse!”

From there, Ella moved into Nestlé’s customer-facing supply chain team, working initially on the Waitrose account before taking on Amazon and, later moving onto Asda – one of Nestlé’s largest customers. Each rotation brought new challenges and required her to adapt her communication style and stakeholder approach.

“Every customer is different. You learn quickly that it’s not one-size-fits-all, and that relationships, trust and knowing how to communicate in the right way is important.”

Finding passion in the unexpected

Before starting her apprenticeship, Ella admits working in supply chain wasn’t a career she had ever imagined for herself.

“On the surface, supply chain doesn’t look very glamorous. But I’ve found a real passion for it. It’s people-focused, fast-paced and far more varied than I expected.”

Alongside on-the-job learning, Ella completed her apprenticeship studies, developing strong presentation, communication and technical supply chain knowledge. She finished the programme with distinctions across the board – including near-perfect marks – and was later named Supply Chain Apprentice of the Year.

“That recognition was really rewarding, but the biggest achievement for me is how much I’ve grown as a person.”

Support from day one

Ella credits much of her success to the support network built into Nestlé’s apprenticeship programme. From line managers to dedicated apprenticeship champions – many of whom were former apprentices themselves – support was always close at hand.

“There was always someone you could go to for advice, whether it was about coursework, work challenges or future roles. It creates a real sense of community, which is so important when you’re joining a big business for the first time.”

Looking ahead

Now in a permanent role within the customer-facing supply chain team, Ella is keen to continue developing her career at Nestlé, exploring new opportunities and building on the foundations laid during her apprenticeship.

“I’ve matured so much through this experience. I’m only 22, but I feel really confident in myself and my abilities.”

Ella is passionate about encouraging others to consider apprenticeships, particularly those who may be unsure about their next step.

“If you’re even thinking about university, it’s worth checking whether there’s an apprenticeship option too. You gain real experience, earn a qualification and learn how a business actually works. I couldn’t recommend it enough.”

I am currently on secondment as the Operations Manager for the Audits side of the Compliance Services team, where I oversee a large portfolio of auditors and audit activity, ensuring that quality standards are consistently met at the highest level. In mid‑2026, I will return to my Senior Team Leader position with Compliance Services, supporting a team of Compliance Advisors as we deliver essential services to our members and uphold compliance and legislative requirements. Across both roles, I provide training, support and work collaboratively with departments across the business to strengthen performance and maintain a positive, supportive working environment and ensure the best service is delivered to the members.

Completing the Team Leader apprenticeship has been a hugely rewarding experience that has helped me grow both personally and professionally. I’ve especially enjoyed being able to put what I’ve learned into practice day to day, supported throughout by my mentor and colleagues across the business. I chose to undertake the apprenticeship because I wanted to further myself within the company, and it has truly supported my career aspirations. The skills and knowledge I gained played a key role in helping me secure the Senior Compliance Advisor position, and I’m now applying them even further during my secondment as Operations Manager for Compliance Services.

Overall, the apprenticeship has been instrumental in my development and has opened new opportunities for my career.

I’m Tiff Faulconbridge, and I work as a Warehouse Department Manager at Asda. My role is varied and people-focused, which is one of the things I enjoy most about it. On a typical day, I’m responsible for running a key area of the warehouse and making sure everything operates safely, efficiently and in line with the needs of the business. Alongside the operational side of the job, I also lead a team of colleagues and support them with a wide range of people matters, including pay queries, absence, performance and conduct. As well as managing day-to-day activity, I also take ownership of a shift-wide project focused on engagement, celebrations and recognition, which means helping to create a positive working environment where people feel valued and motivated.

One of the things I’ve learned about logistics is that attitude and willingness to learn can be just as important as formal qualifications. In my experience, having the right mindset, being open to development and being ready to take on new challenges matters a great deal in this sector. There are also apprenticeships available that support learning on the job, which makes logistics a really accessible sector for people coming in through different routes.

I didn’t go to university, and my career has been built through practical experience and learning in the workplace. That has given me the opportunity to develop hands-on knowledge of operations, leadership and continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment. For me, that real-world experience has been incredibly valuable and has helped shape the way I lead today.

I found this role through Indeed, but what really drew me to it was the opportunity to broaden my experience within logistics. Before joining Asda, I was working as a manager in Amazon logistics, where I gained a strong understanding of online retail operations. I wanted to explore logistics in a different setting and understand how supermarket retail differs from online retail. That was a big part of what attracted me to the position. I was interested in seeing how another part of the sector operates and challenging myself in a new environment.

Looking back, there were several skills I developed through school, previous work and life experience that made me realise I was well suited to logistics. Being able to work under pressure is a big one, because this is a sector where things move quickly and priorities can change fast. Leadership has also been important, especially in roles where you are responsible not just for performance but for supporting and developing people. I’ve also always had the ability to learn quickly and adapt, which is essential in a sector that is constantly evolving. Another key strength for me has been process creation and improvement, because logistics is all about finding better, smarter and more efficient ways of working.

The best thing about my role is definitely the people I work with. Logistics is very much a team environment, and the relationships you build make a huge difference. I enjoy working with a wide range of people, supporting them, helping them develop and being part of a team that comes together to keep the operation moving. Even in a busy and demanding environment, that sense of teamwork is what makes the job rewarding.

One of the highlights of my career so far was being part of a team that introduced a new de-kit process when I first started. That project improved the flow of equipment across the site and made a real difference to how the operation worked. It was a great example of how even one process improvement can have a meaningful impact across a warehouse. Being involved in something that delivered visible results so early on was a proud moment and reinforced how important innovation and problem-solving are in logistics.

For anyone considering a career in logistics, I’d say it’s a sector with far more variety and opportunity than many people realise. It’s not just about moving goods from one place to another. It’s about people, leadership, problem-solving, process improvement and finding ways to keep complex operations running smoothly. There are many different routes into the sector, and you don’t need to follow one set path to build a successful career. If you are adaptable, willing to learn and enjoy working with people in a fast-moving environment, logistics can offer a really rewarding future.

My role is to oversee all warehouse operations, including inventory control, staff management, and process optimisation. Ensure compliance with safety standards, manage budgets, and drive efficiency through technology and continuous improvement. I am responsible for meeting KPIs on productivity, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. The role of General Manager at GXO offers the opportunity to combine strategic leadership with operational excellence. I enjoy working in environments where efficiency, accuracy, and teamwork are critical to success. This role allows me to take ownership of end-to-end warehouse operations, from inventory control and resource planning to staff development and process improvement. I’m particularly motivated by the challenge of optimising workflows, implementing technology driven solutions, and driving continuous improvement to meet KPIs. Leading a team to deliver high performance while ensuring safety and compliance is something I take pride in. The chance to make a measurable impact on cost effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and overall supply chain performance is what excites me most about this role.

I found my current role through GXO’s internal careers hub. I originally joined the industry through an internship and then progressed to a contract logistics graduate scheme. I studied History & Geography (BA Joint Honours) at the University of Birmingham, graduating in 2013. What drw me to logistics was that I’ve always been fascinated by how the world connects, and geography sparked that interest, especially the way international supply chains fit together like a giant puzzle. Alongside that, I’ve always been comfortable with numbers, which gave me a solid foundation for understanding the analytical side of logistics. I’ve worked in retail and farming, which taught me adaptability and the importance of efficient operations in very different settings. I’ve always enjoyed being part of a team, much like in sports, where everyone plays their role to achieve a common goal. Those experiences showed me I thrive in fast moving, collaborative environments where every day brings a new challenge. That’s why logistics feels like the perfect fit for me.

The best part of my role is the pace and variety. No two days are the same, you’re solving problems, keeping things moving, and working with a great team. It’s busy, but that’s what makes it fun. My career highlight has been winning the UK National Managers People Award in 2021; it was a proud and humbling moment. I earned it by demonstrating drive and commitment as an Operations Manager, successfully balancing my daily responsibilities with LSS project work that delivered significant efficiencies.

I’m Harvey Beck and I’m a current degree apprentice in my second year. I have been with the company now for 16 months and I am currently on placement at Asda Doncaster. Over the past 16 months at Asda Doncaster, I have worked in a range of departments, from the People Team to Goods Out, and Goods In. The final department I’ll be working on is Health and Safety. Before I joined , I expected that no two days would be the same, and that I would learn about all departments. What I enjoy most about the programme is that everyvday is a different challenge to the day prior. Another thing I enjoy is the opportunities that come up; at the start of 2023, I had the opportunity to go to the Houses of Parliament and listen to the Minister for Transport talk about the logistics sector. Over the past 16 months, I have learnt many skills and developed many skills, such as interpersonal skills, time management and planning skills. I believe my biggest development has been in decision making and risk management. When thinking about my future, I am most excited about broadening my knowledge on different departments or sectors. The advice I would give future degree apprentices is to get involved, and don’t shy away from any challenges. You will learn most when doing something that challenges you.