Andrew McCullough

Describe what a typical day at work looks like for you.

My day would usually involve setting off around 7.30am. I may have to meet up with another team member prior to heading off to that day’s job. Because I work all over Northern Ireland, travel time to the job could be anything from 15 minutes to two hours, and I may have equipment to collect on the way also. Once arrived on site, it’s straight to work. I’ll take on board any brief or updates from the store owner or manager and then give instructions to the team members working with me. We’ll start with a predetermined end on paper but how to get there is often worked on the job. Some of the tasks that will usually need carried out include positioning of equipment, building of fixtures, changing the category layout of the store and physically moving the stock around, be it ambient, fresh or frozen. All of this will usually need to be carried out in conjunction with number of other contractors that might be on site, from electricians and painters to someone constructing a new wall. And of course, working around the customers, who won’t have stopped coming into the store just because I am there!

Throughout the day I’ll be keeping an eye on how my team members are getting on and possibly fielding questions from staff on some of our other projects too. The workload each day will vary meaning that my working hours won’t always be the same. The job on site could finish from 4 pm to 5.30 pm or later, followed by the journey home

Who and what are you responsible for?

I work along with two other supervisors and between us we look after 14 other staff, and I would directly supervise four of them. This will involve providing a brief on upcoming jobs as well as making sure they have all the equipment they will need. During an “in-store” project, a large part of my role would be delegating tasks to team members, managing timescales and coordinating our works with the other contractors and generally ensuring everything is carried out in a safe manner. Reallocating staff depending on need would also fall under my remit.

Outside of the day to day tasks, I would also help manage my staff’s working hours, and time off requests as well as authorising any overtime. Carrying out regular checks on staff uniform compliance, tool maintenance and our vehicles appearance and road worthiness would also be part of my role.

How does your team fit into the Henderson Group?

Our team of Store Developers form part of the Retail Services department, who assist with opening new stores and carrying out small and large refit projects for our company owned stores as well as the several hundred independent retailers we supply to. We can be on site at any number of stages during a project, from meeting a first grocery delivery to helping accommodate the installation of fixtures and equipment. Throughout any job, we’ll work along with the company’s own project managers, sales and marketing team, space planners and of course store staff to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

What are the best bits about your job?

The part of my job I enjoy most is getting to work in so many different locations. I might be required to spend three weeks on one job or I could be in a different location every day, therefore meeting so many new people. Such variety really does make the weeks and months fly by!

Seeing the difference that we can make from the start of a project to the end can be very pleasing. I’m often told by our retailers that they have been dubious something would work or that it could be done in the time available and we’re constantly able to deliver that. A large part of my job is retail merchandising, which requires a bit of artistic flair, and presentation is something I care about a lot.

What are the best bits about your company (Henderson Group Property)?

Henderson’s provide a lot of great benefits such as staff discount cards, the Perks card, a healthcare package as well as making very generous pension contributions. Those are things that don’t exist everywhere. Each year, the chairman also lays on a Christmas lunch for all head office staff and gives awards for long service.

What is the best thing about your team?

We have some great and dedicated people in our team, who have a good understanding of our purpose as it relates to improving stores. Between travelling and work time, we spend a lot of time together and everything we must do requires a real team effort so it’s a great help that everyone gets along, both on a job and outside of it to.

What attracted you to the Henderson Group?

When I first applied, I was impressed by the professionalism of the company. I was coming from a very small firm to one of the largest in Northern Ireland so there were clear differences. SPAR was such a well-known brand so Henderson’s were obviously doing something right.

I was also getting the chance to try something completely different. It couldn’t have worked out any better as I’m still here 14 years later.