From Stores to Depots: Jamie’s career journey beyond retail

Jamie’s move from retail to logistics proves there’s more than one way to grow at Co-op. He shares more about this journey, the steps he took and the support that made it possible.

"There are so many routes at Co-op - it’s not just about climbing a ladder anymore. Sometimes, the squiggly path is the most rewarding."

Jamie Bearder | Shift Manager Support

I’ve been with Co-op for 18 years, starting out as a Customer Team Member in store. Over time, I worked my way up through team leader and team manager roles to become a Store Manager. I ran several stores, including some complex ones, and even took on secondments as an Operations Manager.

Pressing pause and finding direction

When family life took priority, my development paused for a while. But as my children grew older, I started thinking about what was next. I explored the Development Hub and found resources like coaching and mentoring. Reaching out to a coach was a turning point - she helped me understand my purpose and get the best out of myself. I also connected with a mentor whose advice and network opened doors I hadn’t considered before.

Trying something new

One piece of feedback that stuck with me was: “Try something different.” So instead of following the traditional route into operations, I spent time learning about other parts of the business. I worked with Q-Comm Performance Leads to improve both mine and other store’s performance, then applied for a role in Logistics - a completely new area for me. After lots of preparation, I secured a position as Shift Manager Support at Castlewood.

Moving from Retail to Logistics has been a big learning curve but it’s given me fresh insight into how different parts of Co-op connect. It’s also helped me appreciate the importance of empathy and collaboration - bridging the gap between stores and logistics.

My advice

If you’re thinking about your next step, I’d recommend exploring coaching and mentoring. For me, they provided clarity and direction when I felt a bit lost. There are so many routes at Co-op - it’s not just about climbing a ladder anymore. Sometimes, the squiggly path is the most rewarding.

Jamie Bearder, Shift Manager Support.