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Simon Cude has been with Gregory Group for 25 years. Here he is receiving his 25 year long service award. We spoke to him to find out more about his role as a Goods-In Supervisor and what it is that keeps him coming to work each day.

What does the role involve?

As Goods-In Supervisor, I oversee the day-to-day operations in the warehouse. My team and I make sure all incoming goods for our clients are received, checked, and ready for the night shift to pick and distribute. It’s all about keeping things moving smoothly.

The team

We’re an efficient team of eight - one tray washer, one cleaner, one office-based colleague, and four on the floor (which can rise to ten during peak seasons), plus me!

My journey here

Before joining Gregory, I worked as a wet spray/powder coater. At the time, the paint had arsenic in so the job had real health risks. So much so that we were given free milk to counteract the arsenic! Having seen my own health deteriorate, I looked elsewhere and began at Gregory via an agency, and then never left! I started on the night shift, before moving to days a few years later. That experience on nights really helps because I handover to those guys every day so I know what we need to do to ensure they have a good shift.

The start of the day

My day begins early at 6am. I’m usually in an hour before the rest of the team to make sure everything is set up for them. Once the job is done, I head home. In summer, the hours stretch longer because of the sheer volume of goods coming in. On a quiet day, we might handle around 6,000 cases, but during peak season that can be over 20,000.

What matters most

My job is about two things: looking after my team and getting the job done. Every morning starts with a meeting to set the day’s priorities and tackle any issues. It sets us up well and then we all muck in and keep everything moving.

The highs and lows

This isn’t a 9-to-5 role. It’s about doing what needs to be done. Busy days fly by, and quieter days give us a breather. Peaks and troughs are the nature of the job, but that means adaptability is key. You literally stay until the job is done.

What makes a successful team?

Clear leadership and everyone pulling together - especially when things get tough. Positivity and determination go a long way.

Tolls of the trade

One thing people might not know: we use voice-picking technology. It guides the team through tasks without screens or paper lists, making the process really efficient.

Why I stay

I enjoy working here. I know what I’m doing, and I just get on with it. It’s rewarding to see the impact we have - if we don’t do our part, the night shift can’t operate, and customer needs aren’t met.

Gregory over the years

I’ve seen the business expand a lot. From a physical scale it is unrecognisable now. Just at my depot in Cullompton, the warehouse, office and canopy have all doubled in size and the heritage museum didn’t exist when I began! When you stop and look around, it really is impressive to see how far we have come.

Fun fact

I used to box - three fights: two wins and one loss. I gave it up because, frankly, it hurts (and I didn’t want to look like a potato!).

Advice for anyone looking to progress

Go for it. If you have people skills and can lead a team, this role is really rewarding. It’s about learning all the ins and outs and giving your team confidence that we can always deliver.

If you're interested in joining our team, have a look at our Current Vacancies to see if we have the perfect job for you.