Business Development Manager
| Name | Rachel Hammond |
|---|---|
| Location | West Yorkshire |
| Company | British Recycled Products |
Rachel Hammond"Enjoying my work and helping the environment are both important to me, therefore I continue to be inspired by what I do.
"
I’m Rachel Hammond. I’m the Business Development Manager at British Recycled Products.
We make products out of pre-used British plastics – it’s waste material that would otherwise end up in landfill, sitting in a hole in the ground for longer than my own lifetime! This thought excites me every time we take an order.
There’s a lot that I love about my job; I enjoy the challenge of looking for ideas and solutions that don’t yet exist, and I appreciate that the team I’m part of has people from a diverse mix of employment backgrounds – everyone brings a different way of thinking about things, and that makes for a real melting pot of discussion and ideas.
Although I always knew I wanted a job that would help the environment, I didn’t know exactly what. I didn’t finish university, and was concerned that this would affect my chances of getting a job that I desired. Thankfully, though, to date it hasn’t affected my career at all; with passion and determination, I think it's possible to make things work out as you'd like.
Tell us about your job – where do you work and what do you do?
I work at British Recycled Products, a West Yorkshire-based company that sells landscaping and construction products made of entirely British recycled plastics. We’re talking waste plastic (mostly industrial, though some comes from domestic waste) that would otherwise have ended up in landfill.My job is in Business Development – I look for new markets for our own products, as well as additional new services and products that we can offer to our customers. I speak with people and other businesses about how we can help them and work with them. I also look into new recycling solutions and alternative ways to prevent plastic from going to landfill.
What inspired you to do what you do? How did you get into it, did you have a plan?
I’ve always known that I wanted to work in a job where I could make a difference to the environment. However, I could never have imagined the interesting and varied experiences that I’d have along the way – such as working for a green building company who used straw bales in construction.I enjoy the challenge of looking for ideas and solutions that don't yet exist, and I relish the opportunity to learn as much as possible about what I’m working with. Being in business development allows me to liaise with people, investigate the customer’s needs, and look at different solutions.
I wanted to work for this particular company because they have a good reputation locally and are renowned for their friendliness and customer service. I also knew that this job would give me the support and flexibility to run my own personal projects – like my environmental bamboo bike company!
Why is your job meaningful? Both to you personally, and in how it benefits the wider world in terms of climate change and other environmental challenges.
I work with a great team of people - we interact well and our conversations often result in new ideas.I appreciate having the freedom to use my own initiative, but the support of such a strong and diverse team to back me up.
I get excited by the fact that every time we take an order it means we’re using more plastic which would otherwise have ended up sitting in a hole in the ground for longer than my lifetime! It’s interesting to see the change in people's attitudes when it comes to recycling and the products that they choose to buy. We provide products that last and are highly durable, which means that fewer resources will be used in maintaining or replacing them – and it’s widely accepted that the more we can reduce how much we use, the more the environment benefits.
Many jobs in this sector are very new, how long has your job existed?
Jobs in plastic recycling have been around for about 20 years, and the industry continues to grow.At 18 months old, British Recycled Products is a fairly new company and my job was only created 3 months ago.
What personal qualities do you think have got you where you are today?
• Persistence – I’m pretty tenacious when I go after something that I’m passionate about!• Being a 'people person' - interacting with others and using negotiating skills excites me in my job
• Commitment – it satisfies me to work hard on a task and see it through to completion
• A positive outlook – enjoying my work and helping the environment are both important to me,
therefore I continue to be inspired by what I do
What are the essential skills for your job?
• I’d say the basic requirements are people skills, a passion for the environment, creative thinking anda desire to look for solutions
• A clear head and a logical approach are necessary for thinking through and analysing problems
• An appreciation of customer needs, together with a high level of customer service
• An understanding of the plastic recycling industry, the politics, and green issues surrounding
sustainability
What qualifications do you have? Are these typical for people in your role?
I have A-levels in Psychology, Photography and Statistics; none of which are particularly relevant to my current work, or my previous role in green building!I did attend university, but didn't finish my degree (because they wouldn’t allow me to switch courses). I thought that not having a degree would really affect my chances of doing what I wanted to do, but I’ve really enjoyed the jobs I’ve had so far and to date it hasn't affected my career at all.
I did enjoy Maths at school and college, and I find this helps with handling the finances of my own business.
What do you think most helped you get where you are now?
Commitment to my passion, and determination to do what I believe in.Plus, I’ve used my time wisely - increasing my knowledge through volunteering, reading and furthering my own training.
Please describe a typical working day
I typically split my day into 3 parts:I spend about one third investigating new products or services that we could look to offer.
Another third is spent contacting businesses or individuals who might benefit from using our products (perhaps they work in a related industry or are currently working on a project).
The remaining time is split between other tasks - such as speaking with customers, discussing ideas with colleagues, and meeting with potential partners or distributors of new products or our own products.
Also, whenever I can, I like to stay informed by reading up on current legislation and relevant articles.
What do you enjoy most and least about what you do?
I enjoy looking at how we can solve problems, and coming up with new ideas. I also enjoy the contact with people and building a rapport with partners.The hardest part of the job for me is the necessity to sit at my computer - I get fidgety when I'm not outside or being active!
What kind of people do you meet through your work or do you work alone?
I work within a small team of people. Coming from a mix of business and outdoor industry backgrounds, everyone brings a different way of thinking about things; it makes for a real melting pot of discussion and ideas.I also have regular contact with the general public and other businesses within the green sector and related industries.
Do you feel well paid for what you do, or is it not about the money?
I took this job because I felt excited and passionate about the business, and the changes it was making. It wasn't about the money.Finally, what do you know now about jobs, careers and the future that you wish you’d known when you were at school?
I wish I had known not to worry so much about choosing ‘a career’ back then. The rough idea I had of what I wanted to do when I was at school was vastly different to the jobs I’ve ended up doing and the career path that I’ve taken now. I’ve learnt that it’s ok to try things and follow new ideas – the only way to learn is by trying. Everything teaches you something, and jobs work out. I’ve learnt different things by working in different places and, consequently, my own values and interests are constantly modified. The most important thing to keep in mind is that it’s ok for your plans to change as you go through your working life.Go to other categories:
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