Describe your remit and responsibilities as Group Procurement Manager?
My role involves dealing with the various manufacturers of trucks and trailers and, more recently, bus and coach. It’s my job to negotiate the best deal for the purchase of these assets and to make sure that we are specifying the right vehicle for the many different operations our customers carry out. In a fast-changing marketplace, I need to be up to speed with new legislation and new technologies.
What do you enjoy most about working for Asset Alliance Group?
I am hugely proud of our brand and company ethos and I love being part of such a fast growing yet well-respected business. One of the great things about my job is the variety – one day I might be test driving a new model of truck, the next I’ll be meeting a supplier to discuss maintenance rates.
What’s the best thing about your team/department?
Procurement is central to everything that we do as a business. I enjoy dealing with our suppliers and keeping up to date with new ideas and new products. I get to try out ideas and products and decide whether they would be a good fit for our business. Because we are a large volume buyer, I have the opportunity to deal with our suppliers at the very early stages of new product introduction and I am able to make sure that AAG is always at the forefront of whatever is new.
Can you offer an example of the positive company culture at AAG and supportive management?
We recently lost a very good friend and colleague and what I saw was a big family pulling together to look after each other and take care of his family. That sort of thing just doesn’t happen in most other companies.
Who or what inspires you in your day to day work?
I am constantly inspired by my colleagues at AAG. The more experienced colleagues, like myself, are generous with their support of the younger staff – and those less experienced bring a huge element of enthusiasm and energy. That’s a great combination for success!
Describe yourself in five words?
Stubborn, fortunate, respectful, generous, happy.
Who is your role model or hero outside work, and why?
My role model and hero was my late Dad but someone else I admire hugely is Gregor Townsend, head coach of the Scotland rugby team. I’ve played for some really average rugby teams but always felt the difference when a really good coach came along. Gregor has changed the mindset from a team who hope to win to a team who expect to win.
Describe your perfect day off, what do you like to do?
I live on a farm and I’m an early riser, so out early with the dogs for a long walk and back home for a nice full breakfast. A relaxing day with my partner Gemma – maybe enjoy some music or read a good book and then dinner, wine and a movie. Mostly, however, my days off involve mending broken fences or cutting grass!
