Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21 - 105

WINTER 2020

" Never stop asking
questions "
MARK BLAKE IS ON THE OPERATIONS
MANAGEMENT GRADUATE SCHEME
AND IS CURRENTLY TRANSPORT TEAM
MANAGER AT HEMEL MAYLANDS
" I first started with Gist in August
2018 as an industrial placement
student - I spent a year as a warehouse

" Covid led to
many challenges "
RACHEL THORNTON, WHO IS
STUDYING LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY
CHAIN MANAGEMENT AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF HUDDERSFIELD, IS
ON A PLACEMENT YEAR AT GIST

team manager in Thatcham before
returning to university to finish my
degree. I returned in Christmas 2019
to help over the peak, and I've now
rejoined on the graduate scheme.
The top three skills I've learned
during my time at Gist are people skills
(creating strong relationships with the
teams is crucial); time management
(ensuring I can manage my time is
essential in a job that can rapidly
change pace in the blink of an eye) and
teamwork - it's impossible to complete
the job on your own, so this is pivotal
to the success of the operation.
" The level of responsibility I am
given within my role is far greater
than I ever expected. I am responsible
for a team of employees, completing
reviews, return to works, and
ensuring they have all the tools to
complete their job. I can positively
influence my team and colleagues.

" I've been able to take ownership of
several projects, managing a team of
employees and having the ability to
make a real difference to my workplace
and employees. I have experienced
a variety of roles, which has allowed
me to understand the bigger picture
of the business as a whole and future
opportunities available to me. I've also
been set up with a mentor, who has
been on the same scheme, and I'm in
regular communication with them.
" I've been surprised by the number of
opportunities available to not only myself
but the business. I've already been given
the opportunity to learn a variety of roles,
which has allowed me to gain a greater
insight into what career path I want to take.
" I would say to people wanting to
apply to Gist that they should never
stop asking questions. I'd never
heard of Gist before I applied, but
the opportunities are endless. "

" My placement year started in
September 2019, and after a
rewarding induction week at head
office I moved into a role in the
shift managers office. By the time
the country entered lockdown
in March I was already running
shifts and dealing with the daily
challenges of operational life.
" Covid-19 led to numerous
challenges on site. Understanding
how best to implement and practise
social distancing while keeping the
business operating as usual was a
huge practical challenge. Simple
things such as training and supporting
colleagues needed to be achieved in
a different way, and quickly. While the
govermnet asked those who could
to work from home, for the majority

of the Gist team and our colleagues
on site, this wasn't an option.
" The operation faced unpredictable
and unexpected challenges; the
volume of clothing that is shipped
internationally took a dramatic decrease
overnight, for example, owing to the
closure of shops and the inability to
ship internationally. In contrast, our
international food operation saw
volumes shoot up, with one of the
highest levels the site has ever seen.
" The team I worked with during
my placement couldn't have been
better, and going through such
a challenge together means you
certainly need people you can rely
on. I learned so much about myself
as a manager and about the logistics
industry in just 12 months. "

For more information
Visit gistworld.com

JC Autumn 2020 Gist jw2.indd 3

04/12/2020 16:46
http://www.gistworld.com
Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers Winter 2020/21
