My Unipart Journey - Joanna Reed

In recognition of International Women’s Day (8 March), Joanna Reed, Regional Environmental Manager shares her Unipart journey…

Starting with Unipart in 2006, Joanna has had a varied journey working in various roles within Logistics:

“I started my career at Unipart in Customer Services on the Vodafone contract when the Nuneaton site had just opened. A few years later I became Team Leader until I moved out of customer services and into the Operation. While there I was successful in becoming an Operations Manager, and worked on different contracts within the Technology sector. On the latter of the contracts, through a career conversation with my line manager, I expressed my interest in sustainability and environment, which then led the way to me becoming successful in obtaining my current role as Regional Environment Manager.”

“Within Unipart, at the time of working in customer services, most of the managers in the department were women, all of whom I learnt from and helped me develop. I never had a plan to be in management, It's only through working hard and having conversations with others that gave me the confidence to see that this was a path I could follow.

“I have had a number of mentors throughout my career too - having a mentor has allowed me to raise my ideas in a safe way and also allowed me to see things in a different light.”

This year, the theme of International Women’s Day is ‘Accelerate Action’, a call to speed up progress towards parity.

“Education and promotion of opportunities are important. The logistics, manufacturing and Supply Chain industries are still seen as a male orientated environments. I am currently in my last year of my apprenticeship at Aston University, to achieve a Bachelors in Supply Chain Management - this would not have been possible without Unipart investing the time and resources needed to complete this. By promoting opportunities within, we can break down these perceptions.

“We also need to support each other, mentor and coach each other - talking to others helps us realise we are not alone with how we feel.”

But Joanna believes that action should not be limited to just gender equality:

“Everyone, no matter their gender, should have the same opportunities and are treated fairly. This of course does not just stop at gender but should be for everyone no matter their race, religion, lifestyle, disabilities or age.

“I have enjoyed working with so many different people, I have learnt a lot just from working with people that have different leadership styles. The main thing is to listen and be supportive, and take feedback on board. I have always tried to be compassionate and understand things from peoples’ points of view, spending time with others to understand their challenges and concerns."

Looking back at her leadership career, Joanna shares the one thing she wished she did differently:

“At one point as team leader, I was struggling with the role which involved the set up of a new team and in typical “me” fashion , kept it to myself and didn't ask for help until eventually I couldn't do that role alone and was close to burn out. Looking back now, I would have asked for help earlier on. It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help, if anything shows you’re self aware.”