The Post: Regional Logistics Manager, Lidl Northern Ireland
The Post Holder: Megan Brady
As a natural organiser Megan Brady found she was well suited to a role in logistics.
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
My first job was in sales, and then in sponsorship promotions at a radio station. I did a lot of script writing and was researching job descriptions for an informercial when I came across and applied for a job as Warehouse Supervisor with Lidl Northern Ireland. I was immediately enrolled in the Logistics Manager Development Programme, which developed my business and personal skills, earned me a City & Guilds Qualification, and equipped me with the tools I needed to be promoted to Deputy Logistics Manager and then Regional Logistics Manager.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I enjoyed Media Studies and Creative Media Production at GCSE level, so I went on to do a Diploma in Media Studies at Northern Regional College.
Did you go on to further/higher education, if so what did you study and where?
I studied a Higher National Diploma in Business at the Northern Regional College.
How did you get into your area of work?
The Warehouse Supervisor role required logistical skills and experience that I was able to match to my experience working in radio as it utilised the same skills, just in a different way. As I looked after outdoor promotions and competitions, I was responsible for getting things from A to B – and the job with Lidl Northern Ireland involved all these things that I knew how to do but in a new environment. The more I researched, the more it resonated with me and I was confident that I was a good fit for the role.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
I was always the organiser amongst my friends and liked working behind-the-scenes on school plays and concerts, but little did I know that this skill was also perfectly suited to a job in logistics, where I now manage the department responsible for shipping stock to Lidl Northern Ireland stores.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
There were basic entry level requirements including GCSEs in Maths and English, and desirable criteria such as experience managing a team. In my opinion though, just as important as qualifications, if not more, is having a positive mindset and the right attitude to learn. With that on your side, you can be taught anything.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
There are internal and external routes into the job. Whilst my initial appointment was an advertised position, Lidl Northern Ireland is proud to develop its people internally through regular appraisals and development plans which upskill employees. If you are ready to take the next step in your career, you are invited to join the Lidl Northern Ireland Leadership Academy. A colleague of mine has recently moved to London to support the establishment of a new warehouse. There are so many opportunities to grow with the company because it is global.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
It pays to have attention to detail and to be adaptable. The world of food retail is very dynamic so even the best plans sometimes have to change – for example due to bad (or good!) weather. It’s vital to keep a positive, agile mindset, and remember that there’s nothing that can’t be fixed.
What does a typical day entail?
Each day my team ensures that we have availability of everything we need to fulfil our store orders – not only stock but also the right number of drivers and trucks. Everything from biscuits to ice creams are picked and delivered from the Regional Distribution Centre in Nutts Corner, Co Antrim.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
I’d say the most challenging thing is reacting to an ever-changing environment, as a global supply chain can be affected by so many external factors. Luckily this is also one of the best things about the job. You never get a chance to be bored, and coming up against challenges and dealing with them effectively is great for your own personal development and job satisfaction.
Why is what you do important?
Ultimately, my team makes sure that the right product is in the right place, at the right time. The behind-the-scenes logistics is often forgotten about it because it can’t be seen, but vitally, we’re there to make sure that the customer can go into their local store and get what they need to put dinner on the table for their family.
What adjustments have you had to make since the pandemic?
There has been a real shift towards flexible working across all industries, and certainly at Lidl Northern Ireland we have amended ways of working to give our colleagues even more of a work-life balance. A working from home policy was introduced for office employees, as well as a more condensed shift pattern for the warehouse team, that allows us to spend as much time with family as we can – something that became a real priority during lockdown.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
There is so much more to retail than just the shop front, and so for anyone interested in a job in this industry, I would encourage you to consider the operational side of the business as a viable career choice. It has historically been a male-dominated environment, but there is so much more to logistics than just the physical movement of goods, so I’d love to see more women in this role. We’re making strides – there are more women working in the warehouse, in transport, and driving the delivery trucks – but more could be done to promote the sector.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you like to do?
I previously thought I’d be working in events management or marketing, so I reckon that’s where I’d find myself if I wasn’t doing what I do today.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
You got the job for a reason so back yourself and be yourself. That’s all you can do on your first day. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not and you’ll get where you’re supposed to be.
Describe your ideal day off.
My ideal day off would involve a long lie in, a long walk with my dog Simba, a bath and a Chinese meal.
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
It’s important to pick something you’re passionate about but also to have an awareness of your own strengths and open yourself up to an industry you may not have considered before, but for which you have all the necessary transferable skills. Never be afraid to try something new.
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