Logistics Stories

Josh was attracted to the GXO graduate scheme because logistics was new to him, and he was so excited to learn. Now working as Assistant Finance Manager, where he works to keep the GXO Milton Keynes site running smoothly, Josh first started out on the graduate scheme.

As part of the graduate scheme, Josh completed rotations of different teams to build his skillset.
First, as a Fixed Asset Assistant, he worked on creating CAPEX projects, fixed assets and their registers, and learned to report to the wider business. He then became a credit controller, taking on two ledgers of GXO customers.

“This gave me a good understanding of how large the logistics business is and a good overview of how many customers we serve. I managed to visit a number of sites in this placement, seeing the different challenges faced by each site.”

After just one year of his graduate scheme, Josh became an Assistant Finance Manager, and is currently working towards his level 7 CIMA chartership.

“GXO offers so many different qualifications, I am hoping to complete my CIMA soon so that I can build my development in other areas. For the future, I want to gain as much experience as possible. I don’t see myself moving to another sector as I feel like there is always something new to learn. CFO of GXO one day.”

A highlight for Josh is working and contributing as part of a wider team and GXO community. He loves being able to ask that burning question without worry, and is keen to stress that the support provided is fantastic.

“Working in logistics has been more interesting than I ever thought it could be. To someone considering a career in the industry, I’d say do it, there’s so many different career paths – there’s definitely something that you’ll love to do. Plus it’s secure, people will always need things moving!”

As a recent geography graduate, Megan has taken advantage of the opportunities the GXO graduate scheme offers. Following her final rotation, she’s opted to specialise in HR – something she hadn’t tried before.

“I was part of the Talent Management team in my final rotation, looking at the continuous performance management process as well as developing career pathways for different business functions.”

She spent a lot of time on research and analysis, speaking to people across all areas of the business about their career pathways and the skills, qualifications and behaviours required to take them to the next level.

“We’ve been trying to modernise the performance process, making sure everything is online and on one portal for people to input any performance goals and activities that they have discussed with their manager and strive to achieve.”

As part of the graduate scheme, Megan has been encouraged to undertake three qualifications: IOSH – Health and Safety, Transport Management CPC and a Level 3 Leadership and Management Apprenticeship, preparing her for a long and fulfilling career in the industry, with plenty of opportunity for growth.

The application process for the graduate scheme consisted of two interviews and an assessment day, but Megan quickly found that her well-organised and process-driven skill set put her in a strong starting position.

“I like planning my time and keeping track of everything in a logical way. I’m also a quick thinker, so a role in logistics suited me because it’s so fast-paced. I love variety and doing different things every day, so this is why I enjoy working in project management so much.”

Megan loves working in a team and meeting new people, knowing that the work she does contributes to their career progression and development. She also loves the challenges her new role presents as she completes the graduate programme with a permanent role as HR Support Advisor on one of GXO’s customer contracts.

Jack is currently in the Operational Graduate Programme for GXO on his second of three eight month placements. Within the scheme, the three placements are split between Operation, Transport and Projects, with some flexibility based on each candidate’s skills and interests.

His first role was in Operational Excellence on a food service contract, where he learnt the fundamentals, before working on projects designed to improve day-to-day operations. In his second placement, Jack took on a grocery contract working as a shift manager with a heavy focus on how each shift was run and how that could be optimised.

Having come to the GXO graduate scheme directly from finishing university, Jack was initially attracted to it because of its heavy focus on technology. With a degree in, and a passion for computing, the key course experience and the qualification the scheme leads to aligns to his future aspirations in logistics, and gives him an opportunity to apply his knowledge:

“With GXO’s heavy focus on automation driving results, I could challenge some of the key skills I had learnt.”

Jack had no previous experience in logistics before committing to the two year scheme, but so far he’s found the skills he’s picked up in other roles to be surprisingly fitting for the challenges he now faces in his day-to-day work:

“I worked part-time as a park ranger, which honed several key skills which I’ve gone on to develop. My previous role taught me to build strong communication skills with key stakeholders. And to prioritise, deal with lots of people, and choose my time wisely to best suit the needs of the employees and customers.”

The chance to challenge existing systems and improve things for the better is Jack’s favourite part of working at GXO.

“My current career highlight is delivering my finished project to the customer at the end of my first placement. This was something I had been working hard on for a number of months and I was able to deliver something that would change the way they operate, and be a huge benefit not just to GXO but also the customer. The feedback I got was excellent.”

A passion for technology might be what got Benjamin started on the path to a career in logistics, given he knew little about the sector.

“If you asked me what I knew about the sector, I’d say not a lot!”

“I’d never considered logistics, due to my interest in sports, but this changed when I read about GXO’s graduate programme.”

The programme led to a role in projects, with Benjamin now identifying new technology solutions to implement across Northern European sites, and supporting innovation projects.

The best thing about the role?

“Being able to induce my genuine interest in new solutions. I’m surprised at the technology used in logistics – I wasn’t aware there could be roles like this focussed on technology.”

Benjamin’s initial placement has now become a permanent role – one where he’s looking to grow within his team, and to continue the hunt for exciting new technologies.

It’s a role that fits Benjamin perfectly, and he thinks there could be a fit for you too.

“Logistics is so vast and offers all sorts of different roles for different characters. It’s incredibly diverse and can help you develop quickly.”

After completing a degree in Environmental Geography, followed by a Masters in Climate Change Science and Policy, Lottie tried roles in consultancy and app development before landing a job which focused on driving corporate sustainability.

With family members who work in logistics and a good grounding from her studies, she recognised that the fast-paced, multi-tasking environment the sector offered could be a good fit for her. Responsible for developing and driving GXO’s Sustainability Strategy across the UK and Ireland, working in logistics has proved to be much more complex than Lottie imagined:

“I hadn’t set foot in a warehouse. The complexities of the logistics industry fascinate me. To be at the forefront of the conversations around alternative fuels, renewable energy and sustainable initiatives is very exciting.”

While on the job, Lottie has received her associate membership for IEMA Environmental Management, and is working towards achieving her Practitioners’ membership, both fully supported and sponsored by management. She has also completed her IOSH Managing Safely Course.
Opportunities to continue her personal development is something she considers crucial from an employer, and when considering the best aspects of her role, Lottie emphasises her ability to drive change.

“Having exposure to senior leadership teams to make a difference feels great. I love communicating all the exciting work we’re doing to customers and hearing first-hand where they are in their journey to becoming net zero.”

When asked what she’d say to someone considering a career in logistics, Lottie emphasises the opportunity to grow:

“There are so many areas across the logistics industry that specific attributes can be applied to. Don’t worry if you enter a role that isn’t your ‘dream job’. Learning key skills and attributes that can be applied to other roles is often the most important thing. Embrace the challenges and engage with as many projects and people as possible.”

Before her graduate scheme at GXO, the word ‘logistics’ could have meant anything to Kate.

“In all honesty, I didn’t know what the word meant. However, I did know there must be a process for my ASOS parcels to reach my door!”

But a 10-week internship in the Future Talent Team during university led to a graduate placement scheme, with four placements across three different companies.

“I had never considered logistics before applying for my internship. I thought I would give it a go, and absolutely loved it. If you thrive in a fast-paced and diverse environment, then you’ll enjoy a career in logistics.”

For Kate, that fast-paced, diverse environment means providing HR support for over 500 people across six recycling centres in the South East region, as well as being the Contract Lead for a grocery customer.

“My fourth and final placement was the same role I am doing now. After 8 months, I was offered the role on a permanent basis and accepted. It is very different to being in a site-based role. I really like the variety and change of scenery – it definitely keeps you on your toes.”

Her next move might be more lateral – perhaps to Learning & Development, if the right opportunity arose – but there’s no chance Kate will be looking elsewhere.

“I love the culture of GXO and would like to pursue internal progression for as long as possible.”

Sometimes people find a career in logistics by searching for a job that perfectly fits their skills and ambitions. And sometimes, a career in logistics just finds them. For Callum, it was the latter.

“I ‘fell’ into logistics almost seven years ago not knowing what I wanted to do. After various roles within GXO I was given the opportunity to take the position as Site Manager, a position with a lot of opportunities for development.”

Callum started his logistics journey at 19, as a Junior Transport Operator with no previous industry experience or knowledge. Over the following four years he progressed to Transport Operator, Contract Manager then Shift Manager – at 24 years old, the youngest to achieve that role on site. But how?

“From a young age I was always able to adapt depending on the situation, I find that this is an important tool to have as you need to be able to adapt your approach and delivery depending on who you are talking with.”

Alongside clear communication, Callum’s determination, ambition, adaptability and confidence have helped him progress through a career that required no specific qualifications or experience. Just a willingness to grow and learn. Callum has now put himself forward for training courses such as ILM Leadership & Management level 3 and in-house ADR awareness, and undertook an OCR Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) international course, gaining his International CPC licence.

For Tom, logistics was once a side hustle – but now it’s a career!

“I used to work as a part time Sports Therapist for a professional football team. For additional income I joined my current company as a Warehouse Operative. After 12 months as an Operative, I joined the Graduate Scheme in Jan 2021 as an internal applicant and have now accepted a permanent position as a Shift Manager- on the same contract that I was initially an Operative!”

His knowledge of the industry stretched little further than warehousing, and it certainly wasn’t a sector he considered a future career prospect.

“Realising what opportunities existed within the sector changed my mind. These included working with cutting-edge technology, accelerated career progression and not being fixed to a location.”

He might have left the physio room and the football pitch behind, but Tom has picked up valuable skills along the way – all of which helped kick off his logistics career.

“I had confidence in leadership through my time in sports teams through school and university, as well as critical thinking from my degree – a skill that is transferable to this industry.”

These days, Tom is based at a Regional Distribution Centre for a major UK grocery retailer. He puts those leadership skills to work heading up a shift warehouse team of around 360 colleagues, giving them all the backing and tools they need to keep the supply chain running.

Simon began his logistics career in 2008, following 10 years in the Royal Air Force.

“Initially it was the technology sector that I wanted to explore, but this didn’t give me the variety that I craved. It felt limited and opportunities were only focused on a very specific area of the sector.”

However, with GXO he saw that he could develop a broader skill set, working across system development, web maintenance, business reporting, network maintenance and IT. Having established himself as a data analyst, GXO supported further educational opportunities, including various apprenticeships and ultimately, a Digital Technology and Solutions degree.

“I graduated with first class honours – but it was only made possible by the support of the management, and the passion I’d developed for the sector.”

The extra qualifications meant Simon was able to progress to his current role as a Senior Analyst, and to a career highlight.

“My personal highlight was developing a technology solution that controlled the loading of vehicles at a major food manufacturing site, which coordinated ~20,000 HGVs a year and transformed the reporting and administration.”

However, Simon’s keen to stress that logistics offers opportunities that are really accessible.

“It’s a fast-paced environment where progression isn’t limited. You aren’t restricted in specific roles, and there’s all sorts like IT, health & safety, HR, recruitment, legal, operations and loads more.”

Although Nicoletta am a GXO Grad, she is currently working as a Project Officer in Zambia with Transaid, working on Road Safety projects. This will count as the second placement on her scheme.

Nicoletta ‘s job required a degree in any discipline because it’s a graduate scheme. She found her role on LinkedIn. She was looking for a graduate scheme that would give her experiences across various parts of the logistics industry and the GXO Graduate Scheme seemed perfect for it.

She studied Business Management in her undergraduate degree. During her second year, there was a module that taught operations. It was Marketing and Operations, but Nicoletta liked operations more. That was when Nicoletta knew she wanted to be in the Operations and Logistics industry.

So she pursued her master’s in international Trade, Strategy and Operations at the University of Warwick.

“The intellectual curiosity of wanting to know what goes on before a customer is satisfied, or before the marketer can even tell a story, is what brought me into this industry. The marketer can tell a beautiful story but if the storage, transportation, transparency, last-mile delivery does not meet the customer expectation, it is difficult to retain customers.”

The dynamicity of logistics is what drives Nicoletta. There is always something new to work on. What she likes most about that is that you actually get to finish working on things and see the results and how it influences various stakeholders. She doesn’t feel like just one part of a task or someone who should not care about how it all comes together.

Getting the opportunity to work with Transaid in Zambia has been a big highlight for Nicoletta within her career.

Those searching for a career in business often overlook the logistics industry, but not Kulraj. He chose GXO for his placement as part of a BA in Business Management, Accounting and Finance – in part because of the real-life experience the placement offered alongside completion of his professional accounting qualification.

The rotating placement has seen Kulraj experience multiple areas within GXO, but the highlight to date? “Taking up the responsibility of completing finances for five sites across the UK, including weekly P&L reporting, budgeting and forecasting.”

Kulraj lists a range of key skills and characteristics useful for someone in his current role. “Flexibility, of course, as well as the ability to work as a team player, and to meet deadlines. Adding value by engaging with key stakeholders is vital too.”

It’s all about “gaining business insight, not just in finance but wider business operations”. That insight comes alongside studying for a CIMA qualification, and no one day is the same. “It’s such a rewarding sector. I was always a good problem solver, but also a big fan of technology and innovation” GXO was such a good fit.”

To anyone else considering a similar opportunity in logistics, Kulraj has this to say: “It’s something different, with such a scope for career progression. There are so many diverse career paths you can take!” Sounds like many of us could take his career advice, and be happier for it.