Employee Spotlight Interview – Amberley

Tell us about your role with IFC and how long you have been with the business.
I am the NSW Warehousing & Distribution, Customer Service Manager and I have been with IFC 11 Months in total.

What do you enjoy most about working at IFC?
I love the people! The compassion and care and understanding I have been shown here is second to none, it really is a family.

What drew you to work in the supply chain industry?
I stumbled into the supply chain industry by chance over 10 years ago and haven’t looked back! The fast pace and ever-changing environment is brilliant and there is always the opportunity to grow and develop new skills across so many areas of the supply chain industry.

Tell us a little about your background and experience.
My first job out of school was in retail at Payless Shoes and I loved the customer service side of the role and meeting new people daily, when an opportunity came up in a call centre for one of the big 4 I jumped at the chance! I spent a lot of time working with my team to beat KPI’s and develop sound customer service skills and undertake valuable training. From here when my Children were born, I looked for a role closer to home and found a 3PL and I’ve been in the industry ever since! I’ve moved within 3PL and transport-based roles and have loved them all!

In your experience working in the industry, what are the biggest challenges and opportunities you’ve come across so far?
Working in a male dominated field can be tough and being able to navigate the professional space as a woman and mother can be tricky. Being open and honest with myself about the challenges of juggling a career and three children helps and being open with what I can commit to is good too! I have chosen a career I love in an industry I respect, and my priorities need to reflect that. Luckily IFC do an amazing job at understanding and embracing people. The opportunities I have been afforded in this field are so many, to develop not only my customer service skills but my management skills is huge. Being afforded the opportunity to lend a hand at operations and seeing projects through. The faith and trust management at IFC place on their employees showcases their ability to see potential in their staff and develop and invest in new and upcoming stars!

How do you think IFC differentiates from competitors?
IFC truly puts their customers first. In all aspects of the process from ordering to inbounds and transport the customer is at the front of all we do, I have found that IFC is a family run business, and it really encompasses the meaning of the phrase well. It may come across as corny, but I don’t feel like I have “colleagues” I feel like I have lifelong friends. I love working with the team and for IFC and I can’t wait to be apart of the next chapter for IFC and see where this amazing company takes us!

For aspiring professionals interested in a career in the supply chain industry, what advice would you give them to kickstart their journey?
Start at the bottom and work your way through every role – my experience from pick packing for example is invaluable when you are managing client expectations in customer service, the experience in transport is invaluable when load planning customer orders. And the experience from both lends a hand to working on SLA/ Billing for clients.

What are your hobbies or favourite interests that you enjoy pursuing in your free time?
I love catching up with friends on the weekends, I try for as many girls’ weekends away as possible with three kids at home! I am a HUGE book worm and will also stay up way to late on a work night trying to finish a book before I fall asleep!

Describe your life’s motto in a few words!
“We can’t control the wind, but we can adjust the sails”.