The Billington Group would not be where it is without its amazing teams. In this ‘Our People’ series, we share a bit more about the diverse roles across our businesses and provide some insight into what makes Billington employees tick!
Name: Rob Swan
Job role: Commercial Controller, Billington Foods.
Describe a typical day in your role:
My role pretty much touches all parts of business. With account management, stakeholder and customer relationship management fundamentals all part of my daily routine.
What’s the best part of your job?:
Working with our customers and our colleagues at Billington Foods to develop and deliver great products for the consumer.
What are the biggest challenges you face when working as a commercial controller?
Time (not enough) and forecast accuracy (volatility).
Can you tell us about something you’ve enjoyed working on recently?
The teamwork, innovation and energy for the LN23 Food Shows with MAB.
What makes the food sector exciting to work in?
Dynamic, interesting people, fast moving and innovative.
What three key skills would you say you need when working as a commercial controller?
Resilience, leadership and communication.
What advice would you give to someone looking to get started in a role like yours?
Build up different experiences, skills and key contacts across the business, put yourself in the customer’s shoes, ask lots of questions and be curious.
What makes The Billington Group stand out as a great place to work?
Great energy and top people in the business.
Now a bit more about you….
Coffee or tea? Time of day specific: First cup – Flat White, then it’s onto tea.
What’s your favourite guilty pleasure food? Chocolate Ice cream with double cream.
What’s your favourite dish to cook at home? Sunday Roast (Beef No.1 choice of meat)
Favourite weird food combinations? Night-cap or movie snack: Sliced apple and cheddar cheese.
What do you get up to outside of work? Head Coach at Harpenden Town FC (nine promotions from the Premier League!) and Chairman of The Mermaid FC (senior football).
I have a life-time love of playing and coaching football, I like a round of golf if time permits.
Family man with a dog called Bella.