Gemma

Buyer - Girls Toys

BSc Retail Management, University of Surrey
Joined Tesco September 2005

I do something different every day, which means I never get bored! In fact, within the first six months at head office, I had bought the new diary range for Christmas, introduced art and craft lines into the Christmas gift offer, organised the first stationery promotional calendar and implemented several promotions. I’ve also been given my own category within stationery – Art and Craft. This is a new area to Tesco, and was only trialled last year. I’m responsible for managing over 200 products, which is a fantastic opportunity.

To put my job into three top line activities, I choose product ranges by utilising our merchandise planners’ use of data interpretation, assess supplier range proposals and manage suppliers on a daily basis. I also get to work on new projects and at the moment I spend a large proportion of my time working on our dot com and catalogue launch.

There were eight graduates who started in the same year as me. We support each other when we’re having bad days, but are also great at celebrating success!

Being acknowledged for my work through added responsibility is very rewarding. Working alongside talented and driven people encourages me to do the best job I can and my achievements are great motivators.

I was surprised by the amount of responsibility I was given at such an early stage and this has made me feel, as a graduate trainee, that I can really contribute something to the biggest UK retailer. The sky’s the limit with what I can do, so who knows what will be next!