Company: Kinaxia
Role: People Services Director
Debbie is responsible for the Human Resources, Learning & Development, Marketing and Recruitment functions across the Kinaxia Logistics Group.
A qualification in Human Resources Management, normally through the CIPD, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development is required for her role.
Debbie has had a varied career that started in childcare moving to becoming an Air Stewardess and then into Human Resources. This transition occurred when a role became available whilst she was working at the airline for a trainee HR Administrator.
“I had never thought about Human Resources as a career before however the role really interested me and they were offering to put her through CIPD as part of the training.”
Debbie has worked in Human Resources ever since in various industry’s including pharmaceutical, an orchestra, engineering and finally supply chain logistics.
The skills required to work within Human Resources are transferrable to any industry, you just need to understand how that industry works in order to apply those skills appropriately. The ability to problem solve is also a key skill and to manage the risk associated with any problem that arises, which are often never the same especially when dealing with people.
One of the best things about Debbie’s role has been learning about the industry and getting to know some fantastic characters who have worked alongside their fathers and grandfathers to build their businesses up to what they are today.
Without going to university, Debbie became a member of the group’s Operating Board giving her the opportunity to build a department that supports the ever changing operational needs and strategical growth of a business has been the highlight of her career.