Within the Travis Perkins Group, we have a culture of promoting continuous learning and development. We value our people, and we want them to have the best opportunities available to ensure they are following a career path they are passionate about. It’s one of the reasons why people join (and stay within) our Group.
Meet Lydia
Lydia works within our Supply Chain division at BSS and is one of our rising stars.
Having come from out of the sector, she has worked hard and harnessed the opportunities we offer, including a graduate scheme, resulting in a recent promotion to managerial level.
Read Lydia’s career story, and find out how you can progress your career within the Travis Perkins Group below:
What is your current role and what are your main responsibilities?
‘I’ve been with the company for 7½ years and I’ve just moved into the role of General Manager in our Cross Point Tube Distribution Centre.
My responsibilities include ensuring day-to-day operations are running smoothly and efficiently, seeking opportunities for continuous improvement and making sure that our customers are delivered the right products at the right time.’
Why did you choose to work for BSS?
‘I applied for a graduate scheme through Travis Perkins. I have a passion for supply chain and knew that I wanted a career in that field.
I’m from near Northampton, so Travis Perkins is well known around there and what they were offering was exactly what I was looking for. A
After going to an assessment day I was lucky enough to be chosen by BSS to start on the graduate scheme and the rest as they say is history!’
What’s your favourite part of your role?
‘The best part of my role is being part of something I find so interesting and enjoyable.
Supply chain is fascinating and within this role, I'm fully immersed in it every day!
Each day is different and provides both intellectual and hands-on challenges which is the balance that keeps me motivated.’
What are your proudest achievements?
‘I feel proud of my recent appointment to the role of General Manager, it's something I have been working towards but did not think I would be able to achieve at the age I am.
When I first joined I knew nothing about the industry and had never even stepped foot in a warehouse before. BSS has allowed me to be myself since the very beginning and has always pushed me to learn new things and gain all the skills required.’
Like Lydia, Kim is another one of many employees who have joined us from out of sector. When employees join us, we immerse them in opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in a variety of areas, and Kim says her confidence has grown having had more interaction with customers.
We encourage our people to develop their careers at their own pace, and to work around their personal needs because having a good work/life balance in the modern world is crucial for your overall well-being.
What opportunities have you been able to take advantage of while working for BSS?
‘I've done lots of training along the way such as my CPC Transport Manager qualification when I first started, to things like getting my VNA MHE licence.
But the most significant and most recent is that I've just started my Masters degree in Supply Chain and Logistics at Cranfield University which was offered to me by the business.
This will be a huge addition to the level of knowledge I have and allow me a deeper understanding of Supply Chain.’
Have you been inspired by Lydia’s career story?
Whether you're looking to embark on a transformative journey through our Apprenticeship programmes, seeking to broaden your horizons through secondments, or aiming to benefit from mentorship opportunities, we have a comprehensive framework designed to nurture your professional development.
Our apprenticeship initiatives, like the Fast-Track Management Apprenticeship, offer hands-on experiences, while secondments provide a chance to explore different facets of our diverse business.
At Travis Perkins, we believe in empowering our team members to not only meet their career aspirations but to exceed them, fostering a culture where every individual has the tools and support needed to thrive.
Find out more about our supply chain & distribution jobs, or browse all of our available jobs at BSS today.
