30 Mar WiW Top Talent: Satabdi Dash, Stock Control Manager at JJ Foodservice
Meet Satabdi Dash (a.k.a Dash) – the first woman at JJ Foodservice to get all warehousing vehicle licences. She says having managers that invest in you and recognise your strengths will help your career to thrive.
How long have you worked in your current job?
I have just completed two years with JJ Foodservice. I started with the company as stock controller and have been promoted to stock control manager within two years.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
I manage all the stock for the warehouse. This includes stock rotation, finding stock discrepancies, communicating with buyers for effective stock flow and promoting new or low-selling lines at the counter.
I am required to play multiple roles in the branch which includes providing assistance cover to the transport department, cashier team, HR team, and warehouse team.
I see it as my responsibility to learn all aspects of operations within the warehouse.
I have learned so much – it has helped me face new challenges, to grow personally, boosted my self-confidence, and helped me climb the career ladder.
How long have you worked in wholesale?
I started in wholesale in 2015 with a start-up company and joined JJ Foodservice in 2017.
Working for an elite company like JJ, I have learned so much – it has helped me face new challenges, to grow personally, boosted my self-confidence, and helped me climb the career ladder.
What’s been the toughest moment in your career?
My toughest moment was the decision to switch career from IT to the world of wholesale. It was a challenge I took without having any prior knowledge of where it would take me.
The questions I asked at the time were: what will I be doing? Where will this lead me? What will I learn and what can I accomplish in a sector I knew little about?
I set goals that are realistic and put plans in place to achieve those goals. Sheer determination, patience and commitment has fuelled me to succeed.
How did you overcome it?
I took the job and realised the work was suited to my personality and I really enjoyed doing it.
Since then I have not looked back. I set goals that are realistic and put plans in place to achieve those goals. I kept tracking my progress regularly. Sheer determination, patience and commitment has fuelled me to succeed.
All this has been possible because of the support from my mangers and the company investing in training for me and recognising my talent and strength.
What is your greatest achievement?
I became the first ever woman at JJ to get all warehousing licences including IOSH certification. I received an FWD Award in the House of Commons for my ‘outstanding commitment to the wholesale Industry’.
All this has been possible because of the support from my mangers and the company investing in training for me and recognising my talent and strength.
When I finish work for the day I always think that what I did was great and that keeps me motivated for tomorrow
What do you love most about your job / what would you change?
I love being exposed to all aspects of the wholesale industry and every element of the operations.
I am learning about all parts of the business. When I finish work for the day I always think that whatever I did that day was great and that keeps me self-motivated for tomorrow’s challenge.
Where would you like to be in five years?
I see myself doing a masters in Supply Chain Management in the coming year. Five years down the line I wish to become a successful and well-known person within the wholesale industry.
How do you like your eggs: boiled, scrambled, poached or fried?
Eggs should be half-boiled and topped with some Indian spices. Spices add more flavour to your dish in the same way involving yourself in different activities fulfils a purpose in life.
Set realistic goals and break down those goals into smaller tasks, create plans to complete those tasks and have faith.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Set realistic goals and break down those goals into smaller tasks, create plans to complete those tasks and have faith in your own capabilities to make success happen.
There will be challenges along the way, learn from them and keep working patiently. Remember failure is not opposite of success, it is a part of success.
What’s the best book or film you’ve ever read?
I watch a lot of Bollywood movies: Taare Zameen Par (Stars on Earth) and Three Idiots are my favorite.
If you could change one thing about your job what would it be?
I don’t want to make any changes to my job. I already switched career so I think I made the best change in the past.
I was the first woman in JJ Dagenham to work in the warehouse. Now we have five women there including me and two of them are Team leaders.
Why is it important to you to support Women in Wholesale’s objectives?
I was brought in small city Bhubaneswar in India, where women are not encouraged to have bigger dreams. Luckily I am privileged that my family and my husband have been pillar of my strength and always wanted to see me grow.
I want to motivate all other women to work in wholesale and see the difference. I want to be one of the successful women who inspires other women to get motivated.
I was the first woman in JJ Dagenham to work in the warehouse. Now we have five women there including me and two of them are Team leaders. I feel motivated and passionate to do more in the industry and let other women grow even further.
Read about Dash at the FWD Skills and Development Awards.
Recruiting now – Business Development Manager for London, up to £50 (JJ Foodservice) – more here.
Satabdi Dash (pictured centre) at the FWD Skills & Development Awards
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