An interview with Shannon Lafferty, Sales Operation Coordinator

Tell us about your role and your typical day at Atexor?

I joined Atexor in January 2018, so I have been here for almost 18 months.

I start my typical day by checking the customer care email address for any new enquiries or orders. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is that I am involved in every stage of our customer’s buying journey and oversee the process from quotation to invoicing.  Part of this involves tracking orders that are out for dispatch to our customers and I also daily check and compare the stock levels between the factory in Finland and our stock held here in Aberdeen. Mainly, I am making sure the UK operations run as smoothly as can be and ensure everything is up to date – I’m super organised and everything is colour coded!

My role is fast paced, however, the work environment here at Atexor has a real sense of community, each of us are part of one big family with plenty of support.

Growing up, what did you want to be?

I had a real passion for dancing and Disney as a child and in fact it was a dream of mine to jet off to Florida to become one of the characters at Disney World.  That was just wishful thinking! I didn’t enjoy school very much and was always so eager and focused on working and gaining my own independence.

How did you come to Atexor?

All I knew when I left school is that I wanted to work hard but I wasn’t sure in what capacity.  I love working with people and have delivered different jobs, for a variety of organisations of all shapes and sizes which gave me a great deal of insight and experience before landing my role here at Atexor.

I have worked as a Dental Nurse, then in Oil & Gas for leading electrical distributor specialising in the supply of electrical products, lighting systems and cabling for hazardous offshore.  I also worked in a high street store then at the NHS before joining the team here at Atexor.   I have a varied job history, but each role has given me something that has made me who I am today.

Joining the Atexor team is the best move I made, and I couldn’t be happier.   I was made redundant from Oil & Gas during the challenging downturn, but I was optimistic as everything happens for a reason.  In hindsight, I was clearly meant to be here at Atexor as my experience in Oil & Gas gave me an excellent grounding on the environments and requirements for dangerous working environments.

What do you find the most challenging aspect of your role?

Every day is different so coming into the unknown is definitely the most challenging part of my role at Atexor.   Some days can be extremely demanding, mainly because it is so busy, therefore excellent time management and organisational skills are a must.

However, I’m lucky to be part of a really supportive team.   Derek Scott, the Head of UK Sales is my line manager and is always on hand to help me with any tricky situations that arise.  I am continually learning, particularly through Derek’s mentoring qualities as a manager which has truly helped me to grow professionally and gain confidence to handle things effectively.

Do you have any hobbies to help you unwind after a busy day at Atexor?

I regularly attend gym classes at my local community centre, including Zumba and Body Pump.  Exercise really is the best way to unravel!   In my spare time I like to socialise and catch up with my family and friends. But I do like to chill out at home in front of the TV with a takeaway.

What is your proudest achievement in Atexor?

I would honestly say when I was accepted into the team, it was the best career move I have ever made.   The sense of community here is second to none and you genuinely feel like you are part of one big family, including the team in Finland. The culture here is so relaxed and stress-free, it doesn’t matter how you get there, as long as the work is done at the end of the day.

The trust and respect between Derek and I really does make a difference as I know I can approach him for advice on anything, he’s very supportive.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I’m still young, but I definitely see myself still at Atexor as I want to develop and progress my career within the organisation. However, I would truly be happy if I were to be in the same position because there is so much freedom in my role and it covers all areas which keeps things interesting.  There is never a dull moment so I don’t think I will ever get bored!   I think it would be difficult for me to find another role somewhere else that has the same team spirit as Atexor.