Andrea joined the Aliaxis UK team in November 2020, as Territory Sales Manager for Multi-Utilities in Central and Northern England.
When did you start working in sales?
I’ve been in the industry about 18 years. I started off in internal sales for a manufacturing company, looking after the projects of the account managers on the road, and it was really through this that I realised that this was what I wanted to do. I knew nothing about being on the road at first, but I loved engaging with customers face-to-face and building those relationships. I was made redundant during the pandemic, which was a huge shock as I had been working since I was 16 years old, and despite everything, I knew I wanted to stay in this industry. I love the buzz it brings, and for me whatever I do it is all about the customer!
What advice would you give to younger people thinking about joining the industry?
I once put myself on a forklift driving course, because we needed a driver to move product from the warehouse to the office block, and I just thought, why don’t I do it? I think if you are open-minded, hard-working, committed, and not afraid to ask questions, you will go far in whatever you do. You will never know everything, no one does! That’s why it’s so important for you to speak up and learn from the people around you. Even at my age now, I don’t think I am too old to learn something new; every day is a new learning opportunity and setting even small personal goals is good for you.
You spend a lot of the time on the road, is this something you love about your role?
I love to be out and about, and the freedom of being on the road has always appealed to me. It’s not easy, often I leave the house when it’s dark and get home when it’s dark, and people even comment on how lonely it must be, but I don’t feel like that at all. Seeing an order through from start to finish, and seeing the customer happy gives me this sense of achievement that I just wouldn’t have if I was sat at a desk. Every day I ask myself, how can I do the best for the customer? That’s something that drives me on.
What are your hopes for the future of the industry?
I would love to see more diversity within the industry, and for people to see it as a great career option. As an industry, we need to be offering that direct experience early, through apprenticeships, placements and shadowing etc. And not just in the factory – but in every department! This is such an exciting and dynamic industry, and there really is something for everyone.