 Marketing Manager Customer SupportLearn more about me and why I joined ConocoPhillips:
I joined ConocoPhillips in 1991 as a graduate trainee in the marketing business after graduating with a degree in environmental science. As one of 10 graduates at that time on a training programme in the London office, we spent 18 months learning about the business which involved three month placements in different departments and a month at a storage terminal. A year after joining the company, I moved to the new head office in Warwick.
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Over the next few years I quickly moved between different roles in the retail group including property and acquisitions and an Account Manager position. This role meant I was responsible for Jet branded privately-owned filling stations (dealers) in the Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire areas. Managing business relationships with the site owners, negotiating with sites not currently branded Jet to sell our petrol, selling lubricants and managing the selling process of fuel to the site were all key aspects of the job. The role was invaluable for seeing the different aspects affecting the safe profitable operation of petrol filling stations as well as gaining negotiation experience.
I then moved back to London to take up the role of strategy and planning co-ordinator based in the European headquarters. The role involved a lot of project work which led to extensive travel around Europe. A crude oil Trader was my next assignment selling crude oil and taking speculative positions on the markets.
After that, I moved back to Warwick to the role of Supply Development Manager. This included managing and negotiating contracts associated with primary transportation and storage of oil products (petrol, diesel etc.) and managing the team responsible for planning/scheduling and implementing movement of these products. I worked here during the Fuel Crisis where I liaised with the Cabinet Office and Department of Trade and Industry providing information to the Government.
Six Sigma was launched in 2002 and I was appointed project champion leading a group carrying out business improvement projects. It was a great experience being involved at the start of the implementation of Six Sigma in Europe which brought many challenges.
At the start of 2004, I took up the role of Marine Sales Manager. This group sell fuel for ships’ bunkers. Part of this role also included being a member of the marketing leadership team where I helped plan and implement a re-organisation of the marketing business. This led to me changing roles to my current one leading the Customer Support channel.
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I lead a group of around 38 people looking after the customer side of the marketing business including taking orders, scheduling fuel deliveries, invoicing and managing transport contracts. The role is extremely diverse – no two days are the same which I enjoy. It is a continual challenge particularly on the transport side trying to get the best transportation arrangements for our customers.
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I continue to be a member of the marketing leadership team and play my part in shaping the future of the company. It is extremely satisfying seeing decisions I have played a key part in being implemented and resulting in a stronger/better business and work environment.
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