Meet Pahi, from the Global Graduate Leadership Development Programme,

What stood out to me about the Global Graduate Leadership Development Programme,  was the fact that you had the flexibility to tailor your placements to suit your interests and objectives. Another selling point was the fully funded international placement as this was very unique, in comparison to other programmes. 

What rotations have you done on the programme so far & how has each benefitted your development? If this is your first rotation, please share what you are hoping to do next and why.

I started with Manufacturing in the Global Supply Chain department in Runnings Road on-site in Cheltenham, for Steam Thermal Solutions (STS). It was a very engaging placement wherein I got to experience first-hand how our products were made on the biggest Spirax Sarco (Steam) site in the UK and gained more product knowledge. Working with the Product Lifecycle Management team allowed me to gain an insight into managing products from initial concept and ideation to obsoletion. It also allowed me to partake in data management activities which not only enhanced my skillset but also allowed me to look at new ways of solving problems. Being in a global department also benefited me greatly as I was able to contribute towards standardising practices and implement projects that will be greatly beneficial for future activities. 

I am now in sales with the Electrical Thermal Solutions (ETS) side of the business. I have just started, and shifting from internal operations to external has been interesting so far. I am looking to conduct customer visits to improve my Sales techniques and learn on the job whilst gaining product knowledge on this side of the business. The idea of consultative selling also appeals to me. 

What is your current role & what does a typical day look like for you?

My current role is that of a Junior Sales Engineer within the Electrical Thermal Solutions (ETS) side of the business. I am based in Croydon, London and am starting with looking at the Sales cycle holistically and aligning both mine and my manager’s objectives and working on implementing these on a daily basis. 

Due to the recent restructure, teams here are still working on new strategies and conducting customer visits. I will be involved in all parts of the Sales cycle from the Discovery Phase through to an order being made. As I have just started the role, I have been in and out of workshops with the new team, getting briefed on approaching customers, and garnering some product knowledge. 

It is safe to say every day looks slightly different! 

How has the culture in your OpCo allowed you to make difference or have an impact?

In my first placement and second placement, the people in the OpCo’s have been helpful and answered my questions. I learnt in both placements that no question is a silly question and that my colleagues made it a point to be aware of the graduate programme and asked me questions back about my experience and what I am looking to gain. 

In Cheltenham, the Global Supply Chain department provided me the opportunity to network and visit the shop floor whenever possible. This flexibility allowed me to learn more about the business, how to build a rapport and to gain more technical knowledge. Not having an engineering background did not matter as much. My colleagues were very helpful and encouraging in terms of pointing me in the right direction. I was able to implement suggestions and approaches from seniors to my own work when presenting to convey the importance of standardising practices globally to allow for better functionality and collaboration within the business. 

Similarly, in London, I was welcomed in and allowed to ask questions. I am enjoying meeting everyone and currently picking up different sales techniques and understanding the new business.