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Meet the Team: Debbie Hutton, Senior Sales Administrator
Variety is the spice of life for our long-serving Senior Sales Administrator, Debbie Hutton. Read on to find out more.
Tell us about your background. What did you do before joining the Wilks team?
Working for Wilks has been my one and only job. I started working here in October 1982 after leaving school in the spring and spending the summer fruit picking. At first, I was employed on a Government Youth Opportunity Programme, which was a sponsored three-month programme for young people to gain work experience. After the three months, I was offered a job within the company as Office Junior.
How long have you worked here?
38 years.
Tell us about a typical day – what does your job involve?
I’m lucky that I don’t really have a typical day, as each day is different. Though my role primarily involves looking after international exports, where I send our goods out to far-flung destinations. You will also find me looking after health and safety, speaking to customers, entering orders and liaising with both our production and stores departments to ensure orders are fulfilled.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The variety! I really enjoy working with my colleagues on various aspects of the business.
What would you say your biggest achievement at Wilks has been so far?
Working for the same company for 38 years, not many people can say that. Also, working my way up to Senior Sales Administrator from a sponsored three-month programme.
How can you see your role developing in the future?
Now we are part of Flexiteek; my role is certainly busier as I am looking after orders for Flexiteek distributors around the world. Flexiteek has over 100 distributors across 48 countries, which is more than enough to keep me busy.
What has been the weirdest thing you’ve had to do – or your strangest moment?
In the early years of my employment, Wilks took part in a local bed race. This entailed pushing a bed on wheels (I think it was an old hospital bed) and one occupant for approximately 1 mile uphill on the local roads. This was good fun, but hard work as the hill was steep, I think we lost the wheels on the bed and had to carry it over the finish line!
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to do a similar role?
Gaining experience in an office environment is essential, plus being happy to help the wider team.
What do you do in your spare time?
I play darts and I am the Captain of two local teams who have both won their respective leagues over the last few years. Also, I enjoy doing quizzes, and each month take part in general knowledge and pop quizzes. Recently, I have researched my family tree and have discovered that I am descended from French Huguenots who came to England in the 17th Century.
For more information on the Wilks team, please visit here.
