Flee Optimisation Programme Manager Review

I lead a programme that ensures our funeral fleet of around 1500 vehicles is used effectively across the business. I work with stakeholders from operations, finance, fleet and estates to ensure that requirements are modelled, mapped and implemented. Previous to this, I'd been leading a programme looking at robotic automation in the pharmaceutical sector - there is more to Co-op than food stores!

The apprenticeship programme has really brought to life a lot of practical skills and technical knowledge that is needed on a day-to-day basis. Whether that is people management and leadership, career development, specific knowledge around finance, business process or marketing. It's been very worthwhile and insightful.

The programme has helped me form new networks, interact with people from across the family of businesses (food, central teams, insurance etc.) that I wouldn't have naturally interacted with in my role. Shared learning experiences with these colleagues has widened my view compared with if I'd studied with people from very similar backgrounds. The one challenge has been remote learning during Covid, but even this has been well managed, thought through and consideration made for individual learning styles.

The organisation from both Co-op and Anglia Ruskin University has been superb. Despite managing several cohorts concurrently, with multiple changes due to the pandemic, the organisation and communication has been superb. The documentation and content are well structured, easy to navigate and revisit and the learning resources to support it are well co-ordinated. It can sometimes feel daunting when you start doing something academic after so many years, but it has been reassuringly well thought-through.

Co-op is an exceptional employer, both in terms of how it treats it's colleagues, and how it uses it's values and principles to do the right thing for everyone. In apprenticeships they hold true to this, and time is ring-fenced to allow you to properly study, with line management support and engagement from the outset.

Anglia Ruskin University have demonstrated themselves to be highly proficient in providing this kind of structured learning. The resources provided, access to wider support (such as the library, external study resources etc.) have been brilliant. ARU have provided documentation that clearly sets out the programme and available support.

This qualification is very well aligned to supporting me deliver my role, and improve business performance.

Co-op is hugely supportive of participation in additional events and host a number of colleague networks aimed at specific employee groups (e.g. young, disabled, BAME, LGBTQ+ etc.) and also host guest speakers, networking events and an in-house development programme including leadership and career development to allow you to be the very best version of you.

Yes

Co-op is, without a doubt, one of the best employers you could wish to have. They genuinely care about the world we share, and are hugely supportive of the people that bring this to life. When you work for co-op you feel as though you are part of the family; striving for the long term future; and actually working for an organisation with a purpose.

If you want to grow your career with Co-op, you need to be yourself. We have some very simple ways of being co-op - and they are not just soundbites. When you bring your true self to work, you feel more empowered to do good, to drive change, and improve the world around you. At Co-op, there is a genuine balance between our commerciality and acting in a responsible way. We all strive to meet these standards.