Scott Aldridge

Have you worked at JE since you left full-time education?

After leaving school, I completed a diploma in Butchery & Retail Organisation. After working full time, I became a Relief Shop Manager and later, Shop Manager, for the Dewhurst Butchers chain.

From there I joined the Air Training Corps as a Civilian Instructor, later working for ICI Imagedata as a Packer and later, a Machine Operator before joining JE in 2006.

What was your first role at JE?

My first role was in logistics with a six month part-time contract. I started with the internet day to day business before it went live, helping to receive the goods and making sure all items were booked in and matched our item cards using descriptions, barcoding everything that came in, e.g. ink cartridges.

What made you go for that role?

I had just moved to the island and having stores experience, I applied. I had just arrived on the island a couple of weeks beforehand, after leaving a 7-year service with ICI Imagedata as a Machine Operator.

I actually applied to the company for a role in La Collette, which I didn’t succeed in getting. A couple of days later Human Resources phoned me and said that although I didn’t get the job at La Collette they had another job that I would be perfect for, but it was only a 6-month contract.

My experience at recruitment stage led me to believe that JE would be a good company to work for, so I accepted.

How have your skills developed during your time with JE?

Working in Logistics, I was able to renew my forklift licence which was obtained originally from ICI.

As I continued to develop, I was given Excel and Word training for use in stores which later enabled me to go into office work. During my time with the company I have also looked for other opportunities to develop and have completed First Aid and Fire Warden training and currently operate in the company as a Health and Safety Rep.

After working in Logistics for some time, a job opening came up in Accounts Payable. I felt I had the necessary skills, as part of the role in Stores I would come up to Accounts Payable daily to help with any discrepancies holding up payment of invoices e.g. orders awaiting to be booked in or particular items on that order so I already had
good rapport with the team.

So when a job opening came up in Accounts Payable, I applied. Since then, JE has assisted me in passing an exam for “International Association of Bookkeepers” which now enables me to look forward to other various roles within finance or other departments within the company that bookkeeping may be needed, e.g. Projects.

How has JE supported your career decisions?

You are able to discuss your future within the company, look into courses or opportunities that could benefit the company and yourself.

Finally, what advice would you give someone just starting out in their chosen career?

Always be open to new ideas or create ideas of you own. Always be willing to learn.