We sat down with a few women from around The Bristan Group to find out their stories and journey to where they are now. In this article, we chat with Optimisation Lead, Wendy Capper, who has been at Bristan for 8.5 years.
How did your journey at The Bristan Group begin?
“I started in the warehouse solutions area within retail in an agency role for 2 weeks. This involved dispatching orders for Screwfix, Wickes, and other customers. On my last day, I was asked to stay for another 2 weeks and didn’t leave after that! I got my first full contract in July 2015.
After a while, an opportunity came up for a secondment into optimisation. A couple of people in the warehouse team thought I’d be a good fit for the role, so I went for it. I was in that role on a 1-year contract to start with as it was so busy. When my secondment was coming to an end, the other person in the team left to go on maternity leave and, when they didn’t come back, I was moved into Optimisation permanently. That was 5 years ago now.”
Tell me about your role here. What’s a typical day?
“Very organised. Lots of planning, turning stock locations on and off, moving stock, and optimising locations. It’s just me at the moment in Optimisation so I also organise all planning and project work, look after all the stock in the warehouse, and liaise with others around the business when new products are coming in and when others are being discontinued to ensure we have the right rotation. I really enjoy it.
I’m also a BOS (Bristan Operating System) Champion too which involves anything from meetings on how we can improve as a company to presenting our ideas to others. It’s been great, through that, to meet even more people from around the wider business – most I’d never seen before or got the chance to work with.”
What do you love most about your job?
“The people. You can usually find me on the mezzanine level having a chat! I feel trusted by the wider team as they see me on a daily basis and can talk to me about anything. Everyone in the business is really helpful, I’ve never had a day where I didn’t want to go to work. It helps to have such a supportive team and they’re always there if one of us is struggling. My manager is also incredibly supportive and gives us enough room to make mistakes and learn from them.”
What did you do before joining the Bristan Group?
“I worked as a childminder. I live in a small village so as soon as the children were old enough, they went to school and didn’t need minding anymore.”
How has the Bristan Group helped you?
“When I first started, I didn’t know how to use a computer! Being here has helped my communication and social side too – I’m a real people person. I’ve also completed a leadership course while I’ve been here that’s gained me a qualification and taught me how to be a leader, have difficult conversations, lead a team, and mentor others.
My son actually also worked here, he left to join the navy and travels the world now. The Bristan Group is a supportive company; I can’t fault it.”
What is your proudest achievement whilst working at the Bristan Group?
“I think taking the plunge and going for the Optimisation secondment. It was massively outside my comfort zone and had lots more excel and computer work. Life is too short to think about things too much, I thought “just go for it”.
It’s helped my confidence, meeting new people. Everyone is so lovely. I’ve never heard of or seen anyone I wouldn’t want to work with.”
Which women inspire you most?
“I’ve got a girl crush on Margo Robbie – her films are fantastic!”
What did you dream of doing growing up?
“When I was little, I wanted to be a Forensic Investigator. I still read a lot and am mad about NCIS and CSI. I wish I’d been given the opportunity back then but never say never!”
If you could invite three people (dead or alive, real or fictional, famous or not) to a dinner party, who would you invite and why?
“Jack Reacher – my favourite book character and the Amazon TV series is amazingly good! Dolly Parton – because who doesn’t love a bit of Dolly? And my Dad, who sadly passed away 20 years ago. I’d love to see him again.”
What are your ambitions? What’s next for your role?
“There will be some developments coming over the next year with a new role coming up in spares optimisation. I’m leading plans at the moment for the processes and training that will go into that role. I’ll then mentor the person who joins in that role, creating my own team in the process.
It’s all in the planning stage currently but I’m allowed to run with my own ideas. This year my manager also plans to take a step back, I’ll be taking ownership of some of their responsibilities once they do.”
Finally, what’s the most important piece of advice you have been given?
“If you’re given an opportunity, take it. You never know what’s around the corner, it might be a double-decker! Life is short, do what you can. If all else fails, have a G&T.”
Look out for more of our International Women’s Day articles, featuring other women from around The Bristan Group.
