Area business manager
Name:
Nathan Palmer
Current job title:
Area Business Manager - North
Location:
UK & Ireland Regional Business Unit
Date recruited:
October 2002
Role recruited into:
Business Strategist
Previous work history:
I have had little previous experience of an industrial or manufacturing environment, however my other experiences that led me to BOC are an MBA qualification, significant line management experience with a pub company and customer account management in an FMCG environment.
Why did I apply to BOC:
I applied to BOC for two reasons; (1) because of the global nature of the business that could offer me opportunities to work abroad in different cultures, and (2) because of the investment BOC was willing to make in the recruitment and development of MBA graduates who prove successful.
Also, my initial role as a Business Strategist filled a gap in my CV in relation to being able to directly contribute to and manage major strategic business projects, one of which saw me spend 6 months in Thailand working with a newly acquired business.
Main job responsibilities:
My current role involves the management of the commercial activity (sales teams), packaged and liquid transport, retail, third party agents and the Cryospeed business in the north area – from Stoke-on-Trent to the Shetlands, with a management responsibility of just over 300 people and an annual revenue budget of £120m.
This role also sees me with a place at the UK leadership team table, involved in debating and shaping the tactics and strategy for the wider RBU business.
The most exciting thing about my role:
The best thing about the role is the variation of the work involved and the responsibility and ability to make significant business decisions to develop the business, both locally and nationally. The fact that we now have access to heritage Linde technology presents us with some exciting opportunities to grow the business and further enhance our product and service offers to our customers.
There have also been specific opportunities to lead strategic projects which will shape the future operations, such as our Glasgow branch relocation.
Where can you see your career going:
My next role could be anywhere across the globe – in a senior business role in another Regional Business Unit or part of the global Business Area teams driving BOP and BCP.
What do you like about BOC:
I like the fact that BOC has delivered on its recruitment promise, i.e. if you have the desire and ability, then the business will take the risk of filling senior line management roles with recent recruits. The culture is one of “nurtured stretch”, with everyone willing to assist and advise if asked, all framed by clear competency frameworks within which to measure and develop oneself.