Alex Patterson

Category Manager

Name: Alex Patterson

Role: Category Manager

Location: Darlington

 

"I really enjoy working at Northgate because it really pushes me as a person and I think it’s going to be great development for me and my career and can take me to where I want to be."

Describe your typical day: Primarily I look after facilities management so a lot of the suppliers that provide maintenance services, cleaning services, waste services, security services, things like that. What I like most is the variety, there’s no two days that are the same. There could be one day where I’m going to the tender process, the next day meeting prospective suppliers, meeting current suppliers, or I could be working with colleagues on strategy or dispute resolutions, it’s a varied nature in that no two days are the same. 

What’s the working environment like? We’re a very close knit team, we’re split into two elements but still stick together. We’re a mix of ages and gender so there’s a good balance there and I think we all get along and it’s a good working environment. 

What training & development have you received?  Since I’ve been here, I’ve been on the job and training and now that I’ve passed six months of probation period, the company has agreed to fund me through some professional qualifications for procurement and supply which is really beneficial for my development. 

Your advice to someone considering joining Northgate? The advice I would give to someone looking for a career at Northgate is that you have to come into it with open eyes, you want to put your full effort into it and work hard because it is a challenging environment and it is a company that’s moving forward and if you want to develop yourself you’re going to have to give it your full effort.

Overall, what is your experience of working with Northgate? I really enjoy working at Northgate because it really pushes me as a person and I think it’s going to be great development for me and my career and can take me to where I want to be.