Vauxhall Graduates Q&A. 2 3 Abbie Thomas Human Resources. 4 Jonathan Akeroyd Marketing. 6 7 Laura Jones Human Resources (General Motors)

Transcription

1 Vauxhall Graduates Q&A Pages 2 3 Abbie Thomas Human Resources 4 Jonathan Akeroyd Marketing 5 James Taylor - Sales 6 7 Laura Jones Human Resources (General Motors) 8 Lynette Wong - Finance 9 Sophie Thomas - Sales 1

2 Name: Abbie Thomas Graduate function hire: Human Resources Qualifications: BA (Hons) Business Studies. Why HR with Vauxhall? As part of my degree I completed my placement year with a recruitment firm and it was at that point I decided to pursue a career in Human Resources (HR). When looking for graduate positions the HR role that Vauxhall offered was extremely varied compared with other organisations. Current position with Vauxhall: HR Advisor & HR X82 Launch Coordinator (based at Vauxhall Van Plant, Luton, Home of the Vivaro) I am the HR advisor to two business units in the Plant; Paint and Quality which encompasses advising and coaching line managers on general HR and employment issues, absence management, payroll, grievances & disciplinary situations and performance management. My role involves Talent acquisition and for the Luton Plant I am the work experience, apprenticeships, undergraduate and graduate programme coordinator. I have also gained experience in compensation & benefits based tasks. Whilst I am based in the Luton plant, my role is not limited to just that location, I work with all different UK sites to establish common practices and report information out to GM Europe as well. I consider myself very lucky to be able to work with all levels of the organisation from production operators to directors. Alongside my role as HR Advisor I am the HR X82 Launch Coordinator. Throughout the launch phase of the new Vivaro Van I will support the team through recruitment exercises to assemble the launch team as well as developing processes and procedures to support the launch. I also travel to France to the Renault plant for the project. Additionally, a lot of training will be required to ready our employees for the launch of the new vehicle and I have been involved in compiling a 4 year training plan for the Plant which involved working with many different stakeholders in the business. My job is hugely varied and challenging and working in a manufacturing environment is fantastic; it is very busy and business needs can change very quickly. There is a tremendous sense of team work in the Plant because ultimately we are all working to produce the product we are so proud of. My role has continued to change and develop since I started my career with Vauxhall in the summer of 2010, and this has been one of the biggest highlights for me. I am always developing new skills, meeting new people and learning new information. I am given a lot responsibility leading projects and feel I have really left a legacy with initiatives I have implemented. I am very fortunate to work within a fantastic team and we all support each other when needed. The plant environment as a whole is very friendly and people are always willing to help; whether you work with them directly or not. Another highlight has been the opportunity to present to senior members of GM which has driven me to develop my presentation skills. I am so much more comfortable standing up in front of large or small groups of people at relatively short notice, whereas before this is something that would have terrified me. 2

3 Working for Vauxhall means that we do attract media attention and I have been lucky enough to participate in a number of high profile visits in the plant including David Cameron, England Footballers Jermaine Defoe & Ray Wilkins and these are always very exciting days to be a part of!! A huge benefit of continued professional development is that it ensures that I am focused on my personal & professional development and continue to push myself to develop further. It also motivates me to keep my professional knowledge up to date with the latest HR policies and legislation changes etc. To support my professional development I am mentored by the UK & I HR Director, Phil Millward, who is able to offer advice and support. I am also extremely lucky to be surrounded by supportive managers who, again, have a wealth of knowledge and are focused on helping me to develop my skills and career. As a graduate when you join the business you have the opportunity to meet the Vauxhall Directors and this helps you to begin establishing a professional network. I have completed all the necessary job specific training; TSI Interview Training, Presentation Skills (I am also trained to deliver this course), Lominger Training, 7XR (Lean Manufacturing Course), GM GMS. I am also delighted to be starting my training with The Chartered Institute of Personeel and Development (CIPD) which is a specific HR qualification that will help me to develop my career and skills further. CIPD also encourages continued professional development. I have also gained exposure to different areas of the business. I completed a 6 day placement at a Vauxhall retailer. I have visited the other Vauxhall UK sites and following on from the 7XR course I got to put into practice what I had learnt by working on the production line, which was a fantastic experience and great for me to understand what goes in to building our van. I would like to have gained experience in a more specialist HR role and then be moving in to a management position. I hope to have the opportunity to travel with Vauxhall / GM and I would also like to have achieved my CIPD and Masters qualifications in HR Management. 3

4 Name: James Taylor Graduate function hire: Sales Qualifications: BA (Hons) Business Management Why Sales with Vauxhall? I spent my Undergraduate year at Vauxhall, and really enjoyed it, so wanted to return. Current position with Vauxhall: Fleet Sales Director Heading up the; Contract Hire, Rental, Police Sales, Corporate Sales, Marketing, Company and Used Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles, and Field Fleet Groups. Working closely with the Forecasting Team to ensure targets are hit. The main role is to maintain Fleet National Sales across all fleet market sectors from 10 company car Fleets to Major Rental Fleets. Starting his career at Vauxhall in Operation Services and Forecasting, he then became a Sales District Manager followed by National B2B Sales Manager before moving to Fleet Sales as National Fleet Sales & Leasing Manager, then on to Fleet Sales Director. James has built up a large network of contacts both internally and externally across numerous roles. He has built a strong team ethic with all departments working towards common aims. He has a very diverse role, which also covers Fleet Marketing and Re-Marketing of Used Cars. His contribution is seen every day in the registration figures. Accreditation with: Leadership development. Chartered Institute of Marketing Communication Senior Operational Role 4

5 Name: Jonathan Akeroyd Graduate function hire: Marketing Qualifications: BSc Economics and International Business. Why Sales with Vauxhall? I knew I wanted to work in the motor industry before going to university and specifically for General Motors due in part to their internationalism and, frankly, because I am what you would call a petrol head. For me Vauxhall had the best cars of any mainstream manufacturer. The choice of degree was primarily because I wanted a general management course that after the first foundation year allowed for more specialisation in specific subjects that interested me namely international marketing & economics. Current position with Vauxhall: Sales Director for Opel in Spain. Put simply, optimising Opels sales in the Spanish market, developing and controlling the different sales teams & sales channels (fleet, retail etc) and managing the dealer network. Outside my direct reports, customers & dealers most of my time is spent with the different internal departments that support sales, marketing, dealer network development distribution & finance. It is a very varied role that keeps me on my toes, especially given the current very difficult economic & market conditions in Spain. Through my 22 years with Vauxhall I have lived and worked in several different countries, as a recent graduate I was sent for 8 months to Turkey to help develop the marketing & product offering, then back to the UK for various field roles in sales before moving to the corporate HQ in Detroit for 3 years managing global fleet sales issues & prior to my current role I spent 6 years in Germany where I headed up Fleet Sales & Used Vehicle Operations across Europe. More recently, at the end of 2010, I moved to Spain in my current role. In addition to having moved around the UK, I have been lucky enough to move around the world. As a result I have developed a very extensive international network of contacts across the GM family and have benefitted from improving my foreign language skills. The working culture varies across the markets where I ve worked but there s a very common theme of a can do attitude in the company. As well as specific ongoing training regarding product, IT, communication & presentation skills etc I have benefitted from external residential management development courses. Looking back on my career to date which has been varied in terms of location it is difficult to say. But realistically hopefully still in Spain but with a much better market situation than we have at the moment. 5

6 Name: Laura Jones Graduate function hire: Human Resources Qualifications: BA Hons Business and Human Resources (CIPD accredited) Why HR with Vauxhall? In my starting role at GM I conducted an industrial placement. The opportunities available were extensive, in line with my degree programme. The Vauxhall placement scheme definitely enabled me to further my study of HR. I then returned to GM part time during my final year at University for the Chevrolet brand, as a HR Assistant working on projects. Having completed my degree I returned to GM in the International Assignment Services function for Europe, Middle East and Africa as the Tax and Compensation Consultant for the region. This role expanded my knowledge and understanding of the business, HR and how to operate within other countries in line with their legislation. I held this position for just over 3 years before moving to my current role. Current position with Vauxhall: Manager, International Assignment Services, Americas Region based in Detroit, USA (3 year assignment from Vauxhall/GM UK to the Headquarters in Detroit) International Assignment Services IAS is a global function dedicated to the relocation of GM employees covering long and short term International Service Personnel ISP assignments, temporary assignments and localizations as initiated by the business units within General Motors globally. It is a centre of expertise within the HR function. My role is to manage the Americas Region- America, Canada and South America covering 13 countries. I am accountable for the management of the ISP policy, exception management, compensation issues, vendor management and audit/control activities within this region. I find the role very interesting. No day is ever the same and ultimately we are enabling the business units to move employees to the right place, at the right time in a cost effective way. Within GM I work mainly with the HR functions of each country within the region that I manage along with the security, medical, payroll (global & local) and finance departments where appropriate. Outside of GM I work daily with our relocation vendor who GM contracts out to provide relocation assistance to our employees. I can definitely see my contribution to GM as a business in this role. Placing someone on an assignment is a major investment but within the policy we can ensure that it is managed as effectively as possible from a cost and process perspective. Furthermore, through auditing the processes we can ensure that no over/under payments are occurring. The network I have been able to create is great. Within GM I have a large network within the HR function globally. Also, having been brought in with a graduate intake group my network expands to them as well since we cover all functions within the Company. Since moving to the US this has highlighted how vast the world of HR is and through being here I am trying to expand my understanding of the various different areas. Outside of GM I have been able to network with other global mobility / HR professionals like myself who work in multinational organisations. 6

7 Since starting with in the International Assignment Services function I have attended a wide array of events. This includes a trip to Brussels to meet with our global tax provider and their offices across the EMEA region, visiting Detroit for a global function meeting and I will soon be going to Boston to be part of a North America Expatriate Management Event. The workplace cultures vary between the UK the US, however both locations definitely support our vision to design, build and sell the world s best vehicles. Having gone through bankruptcy the culture is definitely changing for the better to ultimately ensure that we do not end up in the same position we were in In both the UK and the US I feel there is definitely a sense of pride about the history of the company and all that we have achieved. I have found that the company does a great job of developing its talent within the organisation which is a testament to how many people maintain long careers with the company. I was and am being given the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. Specifically I believe I am able to communicate more effectively with individuals of varying nationalities and of all levels within the organisation and outside of GM. For my role this is hugely important. Being on assignment to another country is also a huge stepping stone for my personal development- learning and integrating in to a new work and living culture is a challenge but invaluable. In my time with Vauxhall/GM I have been able to receive some invaluable training; Presentation Skills, Providing Candid and Constructive Feedback to name a few. I participated in the Lominger exercise which enabled me to identify areas of personal improvement whether it s building a weakness to a skill or a skill to a strong talent. This exercise is something that I regularly refer back to now. Further to this, in my current assignment I am starting to learn Spanish which will benefit me on a personal and professional level. With GM working within the HR department; furthering my knowledge/ experience and ability to build a long and rewarding career within General Motors. 7

8 Name: Lynette Wong Graduate function hire: Finance Qualifications: BA (Hons) Accounting and Financial Management Why Finance with Vauxhall? I wanted to work for an industry rather than an accounting practice. Whilst working in Vauxhall as an undergraduate, I decided to pursue studying CIMA to qualify as a chartered accountant with Vauxhall upon graduation. Current position with Vauxhall: Aftersales Finance Analyst It is an interesting role with a lot of analytical skills required which is what I enjoy. I work with Aftersales, Aftersales Finance, Finance Operations Analysis, Accounts Payable/Receivable and GME Aftersales. I definitely see myself contributing to Vauxhall as a business by producing efficient and high quality work. I have managed to provide efficiency to a report which used to take at least 1 week to complete down to 2 hours max. Most of my team tasks, I have managed to red-design to provide efficiency and yet maintain the quality of work. As part of my role, I check compliance on payments to ensure that it passes audit checks and so far, there has been no problems. I was awarded with the workplace of choice award for recognition in 2011 by GMEA. Finally studying CIMA will increase my worth as an asset for Vauxhall as well once I qualify. I have picked up many useful skills whilst in my current role. I have been enrolled to several Finance training courses which are useful for accounting purposes. Personally the working culture is a mixture between results driven and collaboration, where it is enjoyable to work with the people around. The highlight of my career with Vauxhall is definitely the people that I have met working here as well as what I was able to gain personally. Vauxhall has sponsored my study of CIMA accreditation with both financial and study support. I would definitely aim to be in a high managerial role in 5 years probably working in a different department to Finance to broaden my experience and to utilise my skills elsewhere in Vauxhall. I believe that I have more to offer to Vauxhall and so does Vauxhall to me. 8

9 Name: Sophie Thomas Graduate function hire: Sales Qualifications: BSc Marketing Why Sales with Vauxhall? I completed my placement year at General Motors which enabled me to come back as a graduate. Current position with Vauxhall: Accessories Channel Manager My role is incredibly varied from working with creative agencies on brochures, submitting forecasts to European head office, setting the pricing of the products I manage with finance and talking to Vauxhall Retailers on a daily basis. Each day is different and I get to work with almost every team in the business on some level and there are not many graduate roles that can say that! I have spent nearly 2 years in my role which although sounds like a long time, when you explore the areas of business I have been exposed to and projects I have been able to manage, the experience has been better than being moved around on a regular basis. Working on the European project team to pilot a showroom ipad app and managing the pilot in the UK was a very stressful but invaluable experience that I won t forget! The role I have means skills are tested and developed all the time, and you learn from the managers and colleagues around you, which is the most valuable lesson you ll get! Having structured development sessions, like the Lominger sort, means I could take the time away from my normal job to focus on what I have done, what I want to do which is also vitally important to do well at Vauxhall. In 5 years I would really like to be in the field under a sales or aftersales capacity, working with the Retailers on maximising all opportunities that I have learnt about whilst in the office. Retailers are at the heart of the business and I think I will learn the most about the industry we are in on this job, so I can t wait to experience it. 9