Stories from women in Technology at One Stop

Meet Emma Huxley

Job Title: Technology Operations Manager

Start Date with One Stop: 24/11/2003

Time in current Role: 2 Years

My Career Bio

I started my career with One Stop as Store Procedures Coordinator in November 2003 (when we were still known as T&S Stores). My first 15 years were spent working within the Store Support Team and it’s fair to say that my role evolved a number of times over those 15 years: from Store Communications, Post Office Projects and Capability Planning to Managing Customer Services & Comms, and finally managing the SSC Facilities Team.

The common theme throughout all of these roles has been planning – give me a multi-coloured Excel spreadsheet or an event to plan and I was in my element.

In November 2018 I was asked to join the Technology Team on a 12-month secondment, to coordinate the new EPoS System rollout and manage the store engagement workstream. As I don’t have a Technology background, this wasn’t a move that I would have considered had I not been invited, and I was worried that my lack of technical knowledge would be a barrier to success. However, the project team had plenty of people with technical experience, and it was my planning and communications experience that was needed to support the experts and complete the team.

I was re-energised by my new role, and when an opportunity came up in 2019 to apply for a permanent Project Delivery Manager role in the Technology Team, I jumped at it and was successful. Because the EPoS Rollout was still ongoing, my start date was deferred to coincide with the end of my secondment in November 2019.

My first projects were the ongoing EPoS Rollout, My Stop and setting up the Self Checkout Proof of Concept stores. I learned about Vendor Tendering processes, looking at potential suppliers for our Warehouse Management System upgrade (which was later put on hold due to Covid-19). I also managed the EPoS Area Trainers for the final phase of the rollout and began an Apprenticeship in Project Management.

In early 2021 there some departmental structure changes, and my current role of Technology Operations Manager was one of the new roles created. I am now responsible for managing the Technology budget and relationships with our variety of Hardware and Software suppliers, as well as facilitating our Governance, Change Approvals Board and Project Control Board meetings whilst keeping the team organised through our Technology “Master Plan” and resource planner (I’m still at my best when I’m working on my planners). I also completed my diploma in Project Management in November 2021 and have supported the business with projects such as Viewpoint and setting up the Franchise Action Line.

Whilst I still don’t always understand the technical details that my colleagues are talking about, I’ve learned enough to hold my own in the team and I’ve been able to help shape and improve how we work together and with other departments and suppliers. Most importantly, I feel valued by my colleagues and Head of Department, Mark.

I’m not the only member of the team who has joined Technology from other areas of the business, and I believe that each of us has been able to bring benefits of our different experience into the department. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend joining us to someone who was considering making the move into a new role or function.

Meet Sasha Woods

Job Title: Senior Technical Support Analyst

Start Date with One Stop: September 2015

Time in current Role: Nearly 3 years

My Career Bio

I studied Technology in College and always aspired of working in the ever-growing world of Tech. Being around my Grandad who was a computer engineer for the BBC and my parents owning their own Convenience Store from being a young age, it was evident I would fall into either role.

I joined One Stop part-time after leaving college at the store I lived above (0958 Knowle). I quickly realised I loved working here and saw the potential of progressing to Store Manager, and eventually into the Head Office. After 18 months as a Store Manager, a secondment was advertised for Epos Rollout Coordinator working on the deployment of the new Epos systems and was elated to work on that Project for 1 year, until I was offered a permanent role in Tech Support. Throughout the years, I juggled other secondary jobs alongside One Stop to gain other career-life experiences from Volunteer, Carer, Bar staff, Parcel picker, even teaching English in Thailand – purely because I have a drive to work and develop myself before I get too old!

I’m currently undergoing completing the Level 5 CMI Leadership and Management Course, within that time shadowing other key departments in the Business; I strive to see what’s next to complete.

One Stop and everyone in my department have been amazing for pushing and supporting my personal progression, to nominating me for the International Women’s Day Trailblazer Award, which I was thankful to win.

For anyone, particularly women, looking to head into a Technology role, which can be daunting in a Male dominant field – just be confident in your skills, endeavour to be the best version of yourself and network. 😊