Hear from Emma Clarke, continuous improvement and training manager

Before I started my career with Heidelberg Materials in 2014, I worked as a waitress in a number of restaurants across Leicestershire. When I joined the company, I had no experience in working in a customer service centre or any knowledge of the construction industry; but this didn’t stop me. 

My first role was as an order agent working in a busy team and dealing with customers. As I established myself, I swiftly moved up the ladder to a distribution allocator and then a distribution preplanner. Heidelberg Materials really helped me to gain confidence and believe in my abilities, so I decided to go down the managerial route.

This journey started as a team leader, progressing to a customer service lead, before I was given the opportunity to prove myself again by being seconded as a regional manager. Through hard work and dedication, I was then offered the role permanently. Not long after, we had a slight change in responsibilities which meant my position changed to customer service manager looking after three areas and 35 people.

Heidelberg Materials is a big company with lots of opportunities. My current role is continuous improvement and training manager in the customer service centre and all the previous experience I have gained has led me to be in this position today.