FROM WAREHOUSE OPERATIVE TO TEAM MANAGER: 15 YEARS OF GROWTH AT CO-OP

How and why did you first join Co-op Logistics?

I've been with Co-op for 15 years now. I hadn't been in the UK for very long when I joined, but I knew a few people who worked here and they all said it was a great place to work.

I started on a temporary contract and quickly realised how much I enjoyed the role. When the opportunity came up to become permanent, I jumped at the chance. It gave me the stability and security I was looking for, and it turned out to be the start of a career that's taken me in lots of different directions.

 

How have you grown and progressed your career at Co-op?

I spent around 8 years working as a Warehouse Operative across different shifts and departments. I was always keen to learn new skills and understand more about how the depot worked, so I took every opportunity to broaden my experience.

One achievement I'm particularly proud of is becoming one of the first women forklift truck drivers at the depot.

After that, I had the opportunity to complete my HGV Class 2 apprenticeship. I worked really hard throughout the 12-month programme and, once I'd qualified, moved into an LGV Driver role.

Being a woman in what can be a male-dominated environment was a little daunting at first, but I loved being out on the road and quickly grew in confidence.

A couple of years later, I was offered the chance to become a Driver Assessor at our new distribution centre in Biggleswade. It was a huge step in my career and an opportunity to be part of launching a brand-new site. I worked closely with the implementation team and helped colleagues prepare for the opening, which was a fantastic experience.

Although I enjoyed my time there, I knew city life wasn't really for me. I'm originally from Poland and have always loved being close to nature and the countryside. Through the colleagues I met along the way, my journey eventually brought me to Newhouse, where I'm now based.

 

What opportunities have you had since?

One of the things I love most about working for a large organisation like Co-op is the range of opportunities available.

I joined the Manhattan system implementation team on secondment, supporting the rollout of a new operational system across our depots. The role gave me the chance to travel, meet new teams, work closely with IT colleagues and build connections across the business.

It was a completely different experience and a huge learning curve, but that's exactly what made it so rewarding.

While I was on secondment, I also applied for a six-month development programme focused on supporting women into management roles. Only four women from across the logistics network were selected, so it felt like a real privilege to be involved.

The programme was incredibly empowering and helped inspire future initiatives, including the Women in Logistics apprenticeship programme, which supports women looking to progress their careers in the industry.

 

So, what's next?

The development programme gave me the confidence to apply for a Warehouse Team Manager role, and I was delighted to secure the position permanently in May 2025.

Since then, I've moved into Transport, which has taken me back to my driver roots. I really enjoy the variety of the role. No two days are the same and there's always a new challenge to get stuck into.

Having experience as a driver has helped me build strong relationships with my team too. My colleagues know I've done the job myself and understand the realities of the role, which helps me support them in the right way.

I've always enjoyed being involved in change and trying new things, so I may explore change management opportunities in the future. For now, though, I'm really happy where I am, working in the surroundings I love and looking forward to seeing where the next stage of my Co-op career takes me.