In our latest Meet The Team blog we’re talking to Marc Powell, Technical Sales Consultant based in South Wales.
Marc, what’s your current role at Holchem?
I’m a Technical Sales Consultant. It’s a role I love. I’ve been in my position for nearly eight years and have gathered a lot of experience and knowledge that I impart to my customers on a daily basis.
How did you get started in the sector and what sparked your interest in working in the hygiene industry?
I gained a 2:1 BSc Hons in Biochemistry and Microbiology from Staffordshire university and knew that a job in the food industry would be a good career choice. I figured everyone needs to eat, therefore it’ll offer me some job security and career progression. I thought if I could help improve food safety measures and hygiene standards then I would have helped make a difference.
What does your role include?
First and foremost, I am the primary contact ‘go to person’ for all of my customers when they have a question, query or issue. I represent myself and Holchem as a trustworthy and dependable source for all their hygiene needs. I can only maintain this through the good work of the wider support team, encompassing the technical and engineering teams, along with my Regional Manager.
As well as dealing with the day to day issues that arise, I also visit customers at planned intervals (using our structured site support plans), to carry out other roles including:
Chemical safety training
Hygiene audits/inspections – processing areas and paperwork
Titrations checks
Review meetings
Engineering maintenance of small items
What’s your favourite part of the job?
Without a doubt it’s the variety of the role. Having worked within a technical capacity at several food manufacturers before I worked at Holchem I now find myself in a position where a lot of my customers are my ex-colleagues/co-workers. This allows me to keep in touch and find out what’s going on in the industry and offer help where I can. I suppose I like a good gossip, cup of coffee and solving their issues.
How does a typical day look?
The great thing working here at Holchem is that there is no such thing as a ‘typical day’ for a busy sales consultant. One day I can be up at 2.00am to drive over the Brecon Beacons in the rain to visit several customers to review a cleaned food preparation area and discussing the art of disinfection. The next day I could be working from home dealing with a customer who has a toilet paper shortage. Every day is different and this is what I enjoy so much about my role.
Finally, what would you dream job be?
When I was a child I wanted to be a fighter pilot or an astronaut, but these days I can’t go more than three steps up a foot ladder without feeling dizzy so it’s a good job I didn’t pursue those paths.
I always wanted a job that satisfied my need for variety, people interaction and helping to make a difference, however big or small. Working at Holchem definitely gives me all of that and more.
