How long have you worked for Measom Freer?
I joined the company four and a half years ago after completing a psychology degree at the University of Birmingham.
Initially I worked on production in the quality checking (QC) team and was responsible for checking goods and carrying out product testing. I then moved into purchasing and sales and grew my understanding of accounts and material choices. Experiencing all aspects of the business has proved to be invaluable in my role today.
What are the main responsibilities in your role?
I manage Measom Freer’s existing customer base. From discussing new packaging solutions, liaising with production, carrying out account research, managing customer orders or providing technical information to a customer, every day is different.
We understand that packaging is one of the most important things about a customer’s product and brand so it’s important that we build strong relationships with our customers and use our industry expertise to produce a packaging solution that meets their needs.
What can be the most challenging parts of the job?
Definitely exports. Since Brexit it’s become much more difficult to export products. As a result, we have undergone training via the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce and have put some robust practices in place to help support our customers.
Where some businesses find last minute order requests with short lead times challenging, this is an area where we excel. The beauty of having our own production on site is that sales and production work closely with each other so we can respond to order requests quickly and efficiently.
What qualifications or training do you draw upon in the role?
A lot of the role comes down to experience. Spending time working in different parts of the business, together with a collaborative relationship is very beneficial.
I have completed an export qualification with the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce and AAT accounting modules to manage customer accounts and invoicing.
What do you enjoy about working for Measom Freer?
We are a close-knit team. It’s a family within a family business. We all work together to help each other out, especially if we need to solve a problem.
We have a team of highly skilled, experienced employees in the business, from the setters to the production team and toolmakers, and they take a huge amount of pride in their work. The experience and commitment from the team gives you confidence in the product we sell. We have customers who have purchased from us since the 1990’s and know all the team by name which is testament to our reputation.
I love the customer facing side of the role, especially attending trade shows like Packaging Innovations, having the opportunity to showcase the company and our products is very rewarding.
What is the work-related accomplishment in your career to date that you are most proud of?
Not long after joining the sales team I had an enquiry from a small start-up business. I supported them through the product development, testing and production, working with them to develop a custom 50% recycled bottle. They quickly grew from a small start-up to a global brand and I’m proud to have been part of that journey.
How would you describe the business in three words?
Collaborative, Supportive and Innovative.
What are your interests outside of work?
I’m 27, not 72, but I enjoy crocheting. My Grandma taught me to crochet when I was younger and I have made a lot of different pieces, including clothing and blankets.
I also love detective dramas, especially Midsomer Murders and watching the same films on repeat. My favourites are Lord of the Rings, Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones. I often watch them whilst crocheting as I know the plotline inside out, I know I won’t miss a vital piece of the story if I’m busy following a crochet pattern.
