Operations management Industrial Placement Review

Doing the briefs with the operatives, so that they know what their task will be for the day. Also can consist in challenging them on their performance on the task they are not meeting the standard. People management as a whole, and making sure we hit the deadlines and targets for the day from an operational perspective.

I would say i have developed my people skills being exposed to difficult conversations and having them myself. Another one is responsibility, having to be the direct point of contact for the operatives in the workplace, and being responsible for them. Also, organisational skills as i need to organise and plan for other people as well as myself so having a good structure.

I would say i was given a lot of responsibility, from the moment i started i was considered a manager. Also being on industrial placement there is a lot of opportunity to see many of the different workings of the operation. I have engaged in formal meetings with people for a number of different matters. Along with being trusted with implementing changes to improve the warehouse.

When i started at Gist i was assigned with a buddy who is an current gist employee who is on or has just completed the graduate scheme. They are available to talk to around how the year is going or if there are any issues. I was also assigned with a mentor who is a more senior member of the company that offers guidance and help towards professional development and progress.

The company culture is positive considering it is a dynamic and fluid industry, with many deadlines and targets to meet. There are open to change and to adapt and ever since the M&S acquisition it was a really exciting time to join. That was reflected by the staff here as the company is moving forward and i feel as though as a whole the company will grow a lot in the future after being acquired by M&S.

Being exposed to the professional world and working for Gist was a great opportunity for me to develop and learn new skills. As well as whole new industry, i very much enjoyed my time at Gist and a lot of things i learnt this year i will carry with me for the entirety of my professional career.

Yes

Gist is a company that is very much people oriented, i would say that you should come in to the year with a willingness to change and improve things. As that behaviour will be encouraged when joining such a forward thinking business.