First Line Manager Review

My role is to manage warehouse operations at the regional distribution centre (RDC), by utilising resource, time and team management to achieve the KPIs and targets set by the supply chain. Additionally I'm responsible for accident and incident investigations, team line management, report writing and chairing disciplinary matters as and when they arise.

I have learned how to use my own personal time management more effectively and developed more in terms of business orientated operations management. I already have strong leadership and project management skills from previous roles. However I have developed and improved on my communication skills to work in a different sector.

I enjoy the programme very much. The opportunity to become a more rounded manager and team leader will be something I can carry into future career pathways and in the future I look forward to applying the skills I've learned to address real world problems and operational needs and roles.

The apprenticeship is very well structured, even during unavoidable personal events, overall I feel that the course has been well managed. You are given a personal trainer that will assist you in your learning and activates learning activites for you. They also review your work before you submit and will review if required.

My employer gives roughly 20% of work time that's allocated to apprenticeship work. They are also very accommodating if you have any questions or requests, such as work experience in a particular field if you have no experience of the learning you're required to do and need some real world knowledge with which to reference.

My allocated trainer is always on hand should I have a question or if I require any assistance. Additionally the training provider ensures that I can access the learning on any device with minimal effort. They also regularly have meetings and reviews with me to see how I'm doing.

As mentioned previously, this course helps me to become a more well rounded manager. As well as giving me some knowledge in areas that I haven't had any experience in, such as budgeting or finance. The course is helping me to communicate more effectively, especially when a lot of my team members speak English as a second language.

As I'm brand new to the business, I haven't seen any extra curricular activities thus far. I have been selected to be a mental health first aider, which is outside of my day to day work. Additionally, due to COVID-19, its been difficult for these things to go ahead.

Yes

DIxons Carphone (DC) is a very supportive organisation. During my first six months with the business, I have felt I've been on a upward trajectory in terms of my career development. I feel confident that DC will continue to provide many career opportunities in the future and help to provide opportunities for my team members as well.

The only advice that I could possibly offer is that you musty be willing to throw yourself into any opportunity that you can. Especially at a managerial level because DC is an organisation that really values it's leadership cadre and the abilities of it'd colleagues. Also, it's a great career.