RISING STARS
RISING STARS MEET THE FUTURE
Bradfords’ Zoe Harvey, won the Independent Rising Star award at the BMJ Industry Awards 2023. She spoke to Will McGill about her role and aspirations.
What is your current role and how did you get into this industry?
I got into the builders’ merchant industry when I was 18 years old. I had just completed my AS levels at my high school and decided against staying another year. I was working a job in my local pub which I liked but I was eager to begin my forever career but didn’t know where to start or what to do. I found an apprentice role at Bradfords in Wareham in September 2017 and decided to apply as I’d only ever heard great things about apprenticeships, and I thought my personality and skillset would fit the position. I finished my apprenticeship in early 2019 and since then I have been promoted to sales advisor and transferred to our bigger branch in Dorchester.
What does a typical day for you at work look like?
A typical day at work for me consists of serving customers, speaking with trade and retail customers over the phone, completing quotes, making orders, stock management, dealing with the set up and changing of promotions and some admin work. After nearly six years at Bradfords, I am now taking on more responsibilities in my current role and am being exposed to more areas of the business so I am able to make a more informed choice, on what next steps to make in my career.
What are your big challenges in this role? The challenges I face in my current role, include the ever-changing market; by this I mean changes to prices, building regulations fluctuate and change all the time, it can be
very challenging to stay on top of. I’ve found that there is something new to learn every day but that’s also something I love about the job. I used to find it a challenge being a young woman in a highly male dominated industry, but as the time goes by, I’ve realised it’s really empowering and it’s the best industry I could’ve gotten into. I feel more like an equal then I ever thought I would.
What do you think has been your biggest achievement in your role?
My biggest achievement in my role has been completing my apprenticeship and my fast track management course. Both courses were scary at first as I didn’t know what I was getting into or whether I’d be able to finish them with confidence but with the help of my colleagues around me, I’ve always felt important and supported.
To go on to achieve the Independent Rising Star of the Year Award at the BMJ Industry Awards was huge for me. To look back and reflect on where I started, to where I am now, makes me hugely proud and thankful to Bradfords and other people in the industry who voted for me.
What would you like to achieve next? I hope my next achievement will be my next role, either an assistant management role or sales development manager.
I have gained so much knowledge in my six years working in the industry, at Bradfords, and so I feel it’s time to take the next step in my career.
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What advice would you give to someone new to the industry?
My advice to someone new in the industry would be to work hard, gain as much knowledge as you can, communicate with everyone around you as everyone in this industry is so helpful and friendly. You will learn to love this industry, everybody does. There is great potential to progress and make a great career.
What would you say to someone who might be thinking about a career or getting a job in the merchant industry? To anyone thinking of joining the merchant industry, do it. I did, and I absolutely love it. I find it’s an industry that’s overlooked or not often thought about as a career, but there are so many avenues you can go down, so many roles to be filled.
Why do you think young people/women are hesistant to go into the industry? I believe more young people would join our industry on the basis that they get certified training such as an apprenticeship. I think it would make more young people feel confident coming into when they do not know much about it, if anything. It will allow them to gain knowledge whilst being mentored and supported, I think this is a better way of easing them into our industry.
We need to keep talking about our experiences and encouraging others to join us so they can have a great career in the merchanting industry like us. BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net January 2024
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