Age
25

Education
York University English and history graduate

So, what do you actually do?
I’m a product manager with the Co-op working with suppliers developing Fairtrade confectionery. I ensure suppliers follow strict Fairtrade guidelines from sourcing products to designing packaging. A big part of my role is to guide suppliers through the Fairtrade process because it’s new to a lot of them. I also source Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved paper for packaging.

What makes your job so ethical?
The Co-op always tries to drive Fairtrade products wherever possible. Sometimes it’s challenging to battle for shelf space with the likes of Cadbury’s and Mars but I feel a real sense of satisfaction when I see a Fairtrade product make it to our stores. I went to the Fairtrade Foundation and met a producer who talked about his life and it really drove home the benefits of Fairtrade. We’re also a cooperative. There are so many different arms of the business, including a social goals department, but there’s a sense we’re all working together honestly.

How did you get into it?
After university, I temped in the Co-op’s insurance call centre. I started to learn about what the Co-op stood for in terms of its social values and principles and that made me really want to build a career there. I heard about the Co-op graduate scheme internally, applied and got on to it. The 18-month scheme takes on 12 graduates a year who receive a starting salary of £21,000. Graduates do one- to three-month placements in various parts of the company, including customer service, distribution, and management.

On the scheme, I helped put together a pack for schools all about how they could be more Fairtrade friendly. I set up a website and put together a CD-ROM. My last placement was with the fresh food buying department. The graduate scheme made me realise I wanted to stay working with food and on the Fairtrade side of things too.

What skills and experience do you need in this area of work?
You need to be flexible and able to adapt to diverse situations, dealing with lots of different people at different levels. You have to be good at organising your own time and confident enough to put your opinion across. You also need the ability to soak up information, especially on the graduate scheme because you’re surrounded by knowledgeable people and it’s a great opportunity to take information in.

Any top tips for someone wanting to get into this work?
If you want to work in fair trade, do lots of research. Fairtrade is one of those things that makes you initially think “I understand. Yes, that makes complete sense”. But there’s lots more that goes on in Fairtrade that people don’t know about. The more you understand, the bigger the benefit when you start working in a role. It really helped me to have done the school packs because I understood the processes that go on behind Fairtrade.

Co-op
www.coop.co.uk