William Stobart and Son

On a day-to-day basis, I monitor our shared email inbox and create jobs that come through using our logistics system, ESP. I also maintain our fleet trackers, which are essential for keeping track of deliveries and making sure everything runs smoothly. Communication is a big part of the role, so we hold weekly meetings with our customers to review our current service, keep communication channels open, and identify any additional support they might need.

The role didn’t require any specific qualifications beyond basic maths and English. I did spend some time at university studying criminology, but I decided it wasn’t the right path for me and chose to go into work instead.

I found this role through Indeed, and one of the main things that attracted me to it was the location, as it was close to home. I was also keen to gain experience working in a large company, which I felt would give me good opportunities to learn and develop.

Before starting, I had never worked in logistics, so I didn’t have any experience in the sector. However, that wasn’t a barrier because of the in-house training I received. I came in with some basic knowledge of customer service and experience using Outlook, but everything specific to logistics I learned on the job. I quickly picked things up and found that I really enjoyed the role.

What I enjoy most is the variety. Even though we have a core set of tasks every day, it never feels repetitive because there are always different challenges and situations to deal with. The office environment also makes a big difference—it’s friendly, upbeat, and there’s always a good sense of humour, which keeps everyone motivated.

One of my biggest career highlights so far has been receiving positive feedback directly from customers. Being recognised for the effort I put into my work and knowing that it makes a difference to the service we provide is really rewarding.

Working in logistics wasn’t something I originally planned, but it has given me the opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence, and be part of a supportive team in a fast-paced environment.

I’m also responsible for overseeing the induction process for all new employees, making sure they feel welcomed and are fully integrated into the business and its systems. More broadly, my role involves supporting the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and ensuring compliance. Working in HR has allowed me to develop a wide range of skills that will stay with me throughout my career, while also building strong relationships with colleagues across the business.

My role didn’t require any specific qualifications, but I did go to university where I studied Law. Although my degree isn’t directly related to HR or logistics, it helped me develop skills that are useful in my role, such as attention to detail and understanding rules and processes.

I found my role through a friend, which just shows how many opportunities can come from the people around you. What attracted me to the position was the friendly working environment and the chance to learn more about the transport sector, which was something new to me at the time.

Before moving into HR, I worked in customer-facing roles, which helped me build strong communication skills. These have been really important in my current job, as I’m constantly working with people, offering guidance, and handling queries. Being able to communicate clearly and build trust has made a big difference.

The best part of my role is being able to help others while building positive relationships across the business. I enjoy being someone that colleagues can come to for support, and it’s rewarding to know you’re making a difference to their experience at work.

One of my career highlights so far has been securing my HR role and having the chance to learn about a completely new sector. I’ve also had the opportunity to go inside a truck and see how they operate, which was a really interesting experience and gave me a better understanding of the wider business.

Working in logistics wasn’t something I originally planned, but it’s given me the chance to develop new skills, meet a wide range of people, and build a career that I’m proud of.

I’m currently studying towards my International CPC qualification, which is an important step for anyone progressing in transport management. It allows you to be named on an Operator’s Licence and makes you legally responsible for the transport activities within the business. While I don’t have it yet, I’m actively working towards it alongside my role.

My route into logistics wasn’t something I had planned. I actually went to university to study Childhood Studies but decided after my first year that teaching wasn’t the right career path for me. Leaving university was a difficult and intimidating decision because of the stigma around dropping out, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. At school, I had never considered logistics as a career, but looking back, I wouldn’t have ended up where I am today if I had stayed.

I first got into transport while working in a warehouse. I often supported my manager with tasks like computer work, setting up new processes, and creating rotas. Because of those skills, I was moved onto a secondment in the transport department when they were short staffed. I picked things up quickly while they were still recruiting, and not long after, I was encouraged to apply for a permanent role as a transport clerk.

After nearly two years, I decided I wanted to progress further and started looking for new opportunities. I found a planner role at WS Transport through Indeed and, after joining, I worked hard to go above and beyond my responsibilities. At the time, the operation at Yodel was still new, so there were lots of challenges to overcome. I focused on helping things run as smoothly as possible and showing what I was capable of. My efforts were recognised, and I was encouraged to apply for a management position. I’ve now been in that role for almost six months and am continuing to develop both my management style and my career.

Although I never originally considered transport as a career, I quickly realised how well it suited me. I’ve always had a logical mindset and enjoyed planning, which I can now see reflected in the work I was doing even before entering the transport department. Creating rotas, improving processes, and organising tasks are all things I naturally gravitated towards, so stepping into this type of role felt like a natural progression. The industry also offers strong career development opportunities, which really appealed to me as someone who is motivated and wants to keep progressing.

A lot of the skills I use today have been shaped by my experiences both in and outside of work. Interestingly, playing rugby has played a big part in that. It taught me how to make quick decisions under pressure, work effectively as part of a team, manage difficult situations, and follow structured rules. While the stakes are different, those same skills apply directly to transport, where you often need to react quickly, collaborate with others, and operate within strict regulations. That foundation has really helped me in my role.

One of the things I enjoy most about the job is the level of interaction it involves. I speak to a wide range of people every day, from drivers and planners to customers, finance teams, fleet departments, and other depots. It’s helped me build strong relationships and develop my communication and leadership skills. Having trust with drivers, in particular, makes a big difference, as it allows us to support each other and keep the operation running efficiently.

A standout moment in my career so far has been becoming the first super user of a new system that was introduced. I created “how-to” guides when it went live, which were distributed across the network. It was a proud moment, especially considering that at 23 I’m in a position where I can contribute at that level within a business as large as William Stobart. It really showed me how far I’ve come and what’s possible in this industry.

Logistics wasn’t something I set out to do, but it’s turned into a career I’m passionate about. It’s fast-paced, challenging, and full of opportunities to grow, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys problem-solving, planning, and working with people.