Fyffes Employee Profiles
John - General Manager, Imports & Logistics (Europe)
In this role my core responsibilities are to organise the harvests in all countries from which Fyffes sources bananas and to ensure that Fyffes delivers the right fruit to the right market at the right time. It is important to co-ordinate the transportation of the consignments by ship in such a way that fruit quality is not compromised whilst at the same time achieving maximum shipping efficiency, taking into account market and growing conditions.
- Internal career progression:
I spent 3 years working in our UK ripening centres, 3 years in UK Imports, and then 11 years in European Imports.
- Favourite thing about your job:
Every day is different!
- Where did you work before?
I joined straight from University.
Sarah – Human Resources Assistant (UK)
I give advice and guidance to managers and employees on a variety of HR matters, providing support to the HR manager and HR Director and working alongside payroll.
- Favourite thing about your job:
The favourite thing about my job is the variety - you never know what will happen from one day to the next and no two days are ever the same. I also enjoy meeting new people and helping them settle into the business and its culture.
- Where did you work before?
I worked in HR at Macmillan Publishers and then spent a short time at Barclays Mercantile in HR before coming to Fyffes.
David – Logistics Assistant (Central & South America)
I’m part of a small team co-ordinating the loading of the Fyffes vessels in the Tropics. We are in constant contact with the production areas (producers), the ports of loading, the vessels and with our colleagues in Rotterdam in order to make sure that the correct fruit (brand, size, destination) is loaded in order to meet the requirements of the marketing department.
- Internal career progression:
I started my career in Fyffes in March 2006 in our Rotterdam office. At that time, I was a Fyffes graduate in the pineapples distribution and allocation department. After spending 10 months in Rotterdam, I was offered the opportunity to pursue my internship in the logistics department based in San Jose, Costa Rica where I have been based since then.
- Favourite thing about your job:
Working in Fyffes logistics/shipping department means that we are involved in a very dynamic and ever-changing environment. Every day of every week is completely different and demands 24/07 availability and the ability to make immediate decisions. Some people may not like this way of life...but I just love it!
- Where did you work before?
Before starting my internship with Fyffes, I spent two years within the ICEX (Spanish Institute Promoting Foreign Investments) as a graduate in Morocco and in the United Arab Emirates. These two years allowed me to travel and to experience different cultures and ways of thinking, which enriched my empathy for other people.
Cher – Purchase & Sales Co-ordinator
My job in the Accounts Department involves the reconciliation of the bank accounts in Sterling, Euro and US Dollars, weekly treasury reporting, weekly sales ledger reconciliations and processing the purchase invoices and making sure they are paid.
- Favourite thing about my job:
I suppose that this position would be the same in any company and I do like working with figures, but my favourite thing about the job are the people here - not just in finance but the company as a whole. It's like an extended family and that, for me, is the best thing - coming to work is a pleasure.
De La Rue, where I was the Purchase Ledger & Payroll Manager.