Victoria Tomlinson

"Having carried out this personality type exercise twice, I have got different answers each time. To be honest personality types can change depending lots of things, even your mood at the time! They do help understand what you naturally enjoy and what you are good at, but if you want to try something new don't be afraid to give it a go. "

"I currently work within Procurement New Business, I'm part of a multi functional team with Engineers and Project Managers dealing with New Bids and Contract Management. I love being part of a team who have varied skills, experience and specialisations. Together we put together Bids, invitations to tender and Request for quotations to our Suppliers. "

"II have done so many jobs in my life and have never been afraid to try lots of different things.. I have worked in Television, worked in the theatre and even as a Special Police Constable! but I found the career I now love purely by chance! At school I hadn't heard of a Procurement or Supply chain specialist but whilst I was carrying out Temp work for a large company I got involved with a Project and worked with a lovely lady who was a Supply Chain Manager. She realised I was good with words, enjoyed talking to people and so gave the opportunity to work with Commercial Contracts and writing specifications for IT Systems, which was quite ironic as at school I enjoyed Art and Acting and didn't enjoy any STEM related subjects. But very quickly this curiosity lead me to work for BAE Systems and work with people who came from a very STEM background. I found a real interest in complex Engineering and found that my background actually helped ask the simple questions and look at problems for a different point of view. Since I have been working for BAE I have been fortunate to be offered the opportunity to study, whilst working, for my formal qualification from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) which has been so interesting and enjoyable. I never thought I would be studying again at over 40 years old... every day is a school day and I never stop trying to learn new things!"

"I love to upcycle furniture that no one else wants, and even make lamps out of old bottles and discarded brickabrack. I also really enjoy understanding how diet and nutrition can be so important for our health and wellbeing and help people lose weight to gain back their confidence. "

"I have been very fortunate to look after the Procurement and Supply Chain activites for the QEC programme.. i.e. the two big ships built for the Royal Navy. I looked after the buying of Equipment for the Mission Systems that went on board both ships.. it's like putting afloat a massive air traffic control centre. Not doing any formal Engineering subjects at school I never thought i would end up buying Equipment that would make up an air traffic control centre. I spend lots of time talking to very clever Engineers and translating what they need into documents to send to our Suppliers. I often have to review and change what they have written to make it clear and understandable so we can get pricing from our Suppliers and decide which works best for the money we have to spend and so our Customer is happy with the solution they have for the money. I spend lots of time in front of a computer writing documents, but I also spend lots of time talking with our wider team and going to meet suppliers and getting to see lots of really cool equipment and get to see how it works. "

"I have two A levels - Art and Theatre and i have a degree in Media Stuties. also i have my MCIPS qualification which is the equivelent of another Degree. I started the job as a temporary contractor and worked my way up, gaining my professional qualification after doing the job for 10 years. It's because I am naturally nosey, like talking to people and asking lots of questions that I think I got the job!"