Supply Assistant Review

Fragrance Supply Assistant - I manage an inventory of fragrance stock this involves forecasting sales, ordering stock, sending the right amount of stock out to stores, ensuring that there is enough stock to satisfy sales. There are several targets for which I have to work towards i.e. service level - which measures lost sales due to not having enough stock in store. This is a challenging part of the role because you have to decided how much stock you need to send but not have too much stock as you are targeted on the value of stock in the business also. In my role as a supply assistant I am also responsible for setting up salesplan promotions. This involves forcasting additional sales, allocating stock, ordering Gifts with Purchase, monitoring sales and stocks on a daily basis and ordering further stock when required. I work personally with several suppliers - it is important to establish a colaborative relationship with supplier because it then becomes easier to negitoate on things such as prioritising stock for Boots, supplier stock information (i.e. do they have enough stock and are there any out of stock which could potentially cause Boots to run out of stock). I have meeting with suppliers to discuss stock forecasts and agree stock amounts etc.. I report directly into the fragrance supply manager with whome I have regular 1 to 1 sessions. I have to update on all my lines and salesplan lines this includes a detailed explanation of my lines performance, my top dis-serviced lines and any other Adhoc jobs I do. my role is very fast moving and exciting! I really enjoy the pressure of knowing that my actions have great imlications within the business.

As part of my apprenticeship I am undertaking a qualification in Business and Administration at level 4.. I find this extremely useful because it provides an overview of all the key funtions within a business and demonstrates to me how they operate and how each function is inter-related. Having this qualification also opens up other options for me outside of supply, I could easily move into a different function because of the nature of my qualification. Additional to the qualification I have been on several personal development courses during my apprenticeship, including a 3 day experiential event in the peak distric where we had to navigate ourselfs to a mystery location, cook meals for a team of 20 15 people, undertook several team building activities and also done personal development activities. I have been on training courses where I have learned about how to manage my time effectively and deal with people.. which is essential in the world of business! Also on offer in my organisation are several office skills training courses for example excel courses or powerpoint, all at different expert levels.

In my opinion I feel priviledged to work for Boots. I really embrace boots passion for customer care and customers are at the heart of everything I do. I have been out to work in stores on several occasions and really enjoy seeing the business from that different aspect. Boots have an amazing rewards package including 22% discount, company bonus, pension and several other job 'perks'.. Freebies!! During my time in Boots support office I have faced several challenges of a work and a personal nature. I feel that dealing with these challenges has built up my confidence so far and has really put me in a place where I feel completely comfortable with going out and striving towards my goals. My time provide excellent support and really embrace my aspirations. I have a manager who believes in developing his people and gives me any opportunity that I need to do that. Asside from my role I particate in several 'over and above' responsibilities, usually through the apprenticeship program, for example I have mentored a group of school children during Boots work experience week - this really enhanced my people skills and presenting skills as I had to give a presentation to a room of over 100 people - which really pushed me out of my comfort zone!! but I loved it.

During my time with Boots I feel well valued. I have always had a good proper role with alot of responsilibity over and above my expectations which has pushed me to become better and has demonstrated to me that Boots really are commited to providing its apprentices with the best possible career opportunity out there. I have recieved great praise from my line manager and from the supply director about my performance. there are several recognintion schemes within Boots which highlight the hard work of different individuals who deserve it. In Boots you get what you give and if you are commited then you will recieve alot in return!

As my programme is a relatively new programe there has been teething issues. However, I have recieved extensive training both through the apprenticeship, my qualification and through my funtion. A personal issue for me was that I felt that I was not recieving as much support as I needed and I found that nobody was willing to listen to my issues. Fortunately Boots have taken this feedback on board and have created an action group which will be looking at how we can make Boots a great place to work for young people. This is great news for me because it shows that my employer recognises my concerns and is willing to look at new options and ideas from young people like me! My college tutor has provided me with endless support. I feel like the luckiest person in education to have her because she is an amazing support. I have been supported through college assignments, persoal and work issues. It feels great to know that my tutor cares about all aspects of my life and not just college work because all aspects can affect each other and it is important to have the right balance between the three to be sucessful!

My training provider has been amazing. I could not fault the support we have been giving from Babington Business College. Our Tutor Tina is extremly knowledgable and adapable. Tina provides us with lessons which are interactive and different, college is never boring and we are never stuck in a room looking at a black board. Interactive sessions include touring the Boots warehouse to understand operations management and how it all works at boots, Fincance sessions from Boots accountant to demonstrate how finance works at boots and many many more! The college cater for different learning styles and will provide any learner with the opportunities that they need.

I feel that my employer is genuinly concerned with my happiness at work. However, the main challenges I have faced during my apprenticeship has come from the work aspect. I found it hard to make people listen to me during a time where I was being bullied by a member of my team. I approached my manage, apprenticeship manager and college tutor for help and support and found that it challenging because if felt to me as if no-one was concerned about my issues and how I felt. At one point I questioned my position on the program. However, as part of my development I saw my sitation as a challenge.. I had to fight hard and push to get my voice heard which eventually worked for me. In response to my concerns my manager changed my role to suit my skills set and allowed me to work towards my aspirations which really changed my position in Boots and it was at that point that everything went good for me and now I could not be happier! I am satisfied with Boots efforts to change and improve how they support their staff and I have an active role in that which again makes me feel extremely well valued!

As a full-time memeber of staff I am paid appropirately for the level at which I work. the starting salary for an apprentice is £15,000 which is a similar figure to what other people at my level earn. The bonus to that is that Boots pay for my qualification which can cost upto £9000 per year.. therefore I see my role as a £24000 role rather than £15000!

There are several opportuniities.. I have been on various community challenges from painiting a local parks fence.. to helping out at a local volunteering centre for adults with learning difficulties.. to painting someones living room for a family care charity!!

Yes

Boots is an extrememly good company to work for.. great opporunities, good pay, an excellent qualification, the chance of a promotion after the apprenticeship, job security is good, any many many more

Be passionate.. embrace boots mission and ethos.. research what boots do and what is their passions and make sure you demonstrate this. Getting on the apprenticeship was SO much harder that applying for university. The application process is very intense from telephone interview, mathematics exams, comprehensive assessment centre.