Chloe, Store Manager

I started working for Maplin in 1995 at the first Superstore in Leeds. I was there for two years and during that time I progressed from Full-Time Sales to Sales Team Leader. At the end of 1997 I left to look after my baby but remained in touch with some of the great people I had worked with, including:

• Grant, the Saturday lad, who advanced to become one of our
  scary Internal Auditors.
• Duncan, Full Time Sales Assistant who is now in our Buying Team & travels the world.

Neil, who started at the same time as me as a Sales Advisor and has since progressed to become one of the best Store Managers in the business and is one of only a few people who can claim to be responsible for the training of a Director, a Regional Manager and our Internal Auditor!!

In February 2004, when both my children were full time at school, Maplin welcomed me back to the fold. I was offered the perfect working hours, 9:30am - 2:30pm, Mon - Fri, 25 hours per week in a role that is interesting, fun and gives me a lot of satisfaction.
 
Even though I worked part-time, I have had lots of support which has enabled me to balance work with the responsibilities of being a mum. I've been able to transfer stores when I moved house, attended step up courses and completed an NVQ, to enable me to progress as far as I can.

In November 2008 I was able to work full time & with a new store being opened at Leeds J1 I was promoted to Sales Team Leader there. I quickly advanced when the York Store opened in September 2009 & was made Assistant Manager for that store.

This year I continued to further my career with Maplin and was made Store Manager of the Wakefield branch. One day I might change direction & make the move to Head Office but at the moment I am enjoying the opportunity I have here - working with a great team!

Regards

Chloe Hodge