If you'd told me early on in my career that one day I'd be knee-deep in the world of supply chains, logistics, and procurement, I'd probably have laughed (or panicked). My early career was in property, and I thought I’d be in that industry forever. It’s what I knew, where I was comfortable and felt like an expert. The idea of working in a completely different industry, let alone supply chain, was an alien concept and one I hadn’t even considered.
After spending 20 years in property, I was offered an unexpected opportunity in the beauty industry. I took the leap—it felt risky, but exciting too. I moved into a role in sales management, which, although in a different industry, was fairly straightforward. It was fast-paced, people-focused, and involved a lot of problem-solving—things I was already comfortable with.
Then came the curveball: within a few months I was put in charge of the operations department. There were a few issues with that which set off my internal panic ( and a little excitement at the same time) :
1. I barely knew the beauty industry, let alone what “operations” entailed.
2. I had zero experience with supply chain, logistics, product development, or production.
3. There was no actual operations department—procurement was being handled by the finance department and a designer.
4. There were limited systems in place. No MRP, no forecasting, no process for new product development.
5. The majority of our suppliers were based in the Far East, and there were issues with quality, supply, and cost.
I felt out of my depth but, oddly enough, it was this very lack of experience that ended up being my strength.
I had no prior baggage, no “this is how it’s always been done” mindset holding me back. I was forced to start from scratch, and that, although terrifying, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I had to lean on my instincts, common sense, and problem-solving skills from my property days.
One of the first things I did say to the finance director. “Okay, tell me everything you know.” From there, I became a sponge—absorbing every scrap of knowledge I could. I asked every question that popped into my head (yes, even the stupid ones) and accepted all the help I could get.
Fast forward: here’s what we achieved.
What We Built
· Team first: I built a team of bright, capable people. Some had operations experience, some didn’t, but we worked together and learned together.
· Local wins: We swapped out some Far East suppliers for UK-based ones. Surprisingly, it wasn’t more expensive, and it came with better quality and shorter lead times.
· Supplier relationships: I rebuilt broken relationships with existing suppliers and forged new ones that were productive and mutually beneficial.
· Processes galore: We implemented systems for forecasting, new product development, purchasing, production, logistics, and quality control.
· Logistics overhaul: We got the warehouse and logistics running like a well-oiled machine.
· Global reach: We established supply chain relationships across the USA and Europe, supporting the business as it scaled.
The Results
In just five years, we substantially increased turnover. We automated our systems and created a robust supply chain. Our ability to churn out new product development quickly made buyers and the sales team very happy.
Why It Worked
· Mentorship: I had the mentorship of a talented CFO who guided me through the rough patches and I was willing to listen
· Team: I had an amazing team—smart, adaptable people who could handle anything.
· No baggage: Because I didn’t have the experience, I didn’t have the preconceived “rules” of how things should be done. I could approach problems with fresh eyes and follow my instincts.
· Flexibility: I learned to multitask, think on my feet, and work at lightning speed, which was crucial in an ever-changing environment.
· Openness: I embraced what I didn’t know and wasn’t afraid to ask questions or admit when I was clueless. That openness turned out to be a strength, not a weakness.
What it taught me
· The beauty industry is way more exciting than being a surveyor!
· You don’t need to be a subject matter expert to succeed. In fact, sometimes not knowing is an advantage because you’re free from the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset.
· Relationships are everything, no matter the industry.
· Your talents aren’t limited to one field—you can pivot, and pivot well, if you have the right mindset.
· Common sense, a good attitude, and a dash of luck (or maybe making your own luck?) can go a long way.
· Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to know it all.
The Best Journey I Never Expected
Those years in supply chain were some of the most challenging, stressful, and rewarding of my career. I learned so much, travelled to incredible places, and met some amazing people who became lifelong friends. Of course I had my fair share of breakdowns (I cried a lot ! ), but I also grew immensely, both professionally and personally.
I went from thinking, “I’m not the expert, I can’t do this” to realizing that not being the expert was precisely why I succeeded. It’s funny how the very thing I feared was a positive.
So, if you find yourself in unfamiliar territory, my advice is this: don’t freak out. Embrace it. You don’t need all the answers to move forward. Sometimes, it’s the unexpected journeys that teach you the most.
Turns out, not being the expert might just make you the expert in the end.