02/08/2023

My First Week at Millers Oils – Genevieve Ackroyd

Image of the new marketing executive.

At Millers Oils, we understand that your first week in a new job can be overwhelming. We wanted to share how we plan a new employee’s first week to facilitate the smoothest transition possible. Genevieve Ackroyd has recently joined the Millers Oils team as Marketing Executive and shares an insight into her first week.

Hi, I’m Gen, and this is how my first week at Millers Oils went…

Induction plan

The highlight of my first week was the detailed induction plan with dedicated time to meet with every department. This is definitely a benefit of the company being independent as I have never had this opportunity in a new job before. Apart from our Scotland depot, I was able to meet the majority of the team all in one week. It is such a simple system that made all the difference in creating a positive first week experience.

It looked something like this:

 

Monday

 

 

 

 

 

9.30am: Late start allowing for a relaxed get ready for the day and avoiding traffic! Spend the morning setting up desk and having introductions with the Marketing team. Then time with:

  • HR
  • Health and Safety Officers
  • Finance team
 

Tuesday

 

 

 

  • Product Managers
  • Head of R&D
  • Lab tour
  • Factory Tour
 

Wednesday

 

 

  • Business Development Managers
  • Sales team
  • Managing Director

Thursday

 

  • Company history
  • Technical team
  • Systems training

 Friday

 

Full day with the Marketing team, starting with my personal responsibilities and being informed of current projects.

 

Induction process

Everyone took the time to explain their roles and systems, helping me to better understand my own role, as well as expressing a genuine interest in getting to know me. Coming from a different industry, it was interesting to observe how the company works, everything from R&D to Sales, all conducted on-site. This induction process is a great way to get to know everyone personally, alleviating any potential awkwardness of being unfamiliar with colleagues.

Moving at my own pace

From day one, I felt that I could ease into my role at a pace that suited me. There is a clear understanding that there’s a lot to learn and absorb in a new job, and everyone has been patient and accommodating, allowing me to focus on learning and adjusting comfortably. The team has a genuine interest in hearing new ideas and always encourages one another to take on new challenges. I am happy to be a part of a team that encourages creativity, values input, and promotes growth.

Collaborative environment

The strong sense of collaboration and teamwork that runs through every aspect of Millers Oils also stood out to me. Being encouraged to ask questions, seek guidance, share ideas, and help each other to problem solve, regardless of hierarchy. It is refreshing to see the collective passion that each team brings, and how everyone works together to achieve goals.

Reflection

As I reflect on my first week, I feel fortunate to be part of such an innovative and supportive company. I have never worked anywhere with such a good system for welcoming new employees. The journey ahead looks promising, and I am eager to contribute my skills and learn from the best in the industry. I do not think I could have met a friendlier group of people, so it comes as no surprise that some have remained dedicated Millers Oils employees for over three decades!

If you think a career at Millers Oils is right for you, take a look at our careers page here.