Navigating Tech Careers: A Deep Dive into Flexible Working at Co-Op

We all know Co-op as one of the UK’s largest food retailers, but what’s it really like to work there, especially in a leadership role within their Digital Technology & Data team? You’re about to find out.

In this blog, we’ll take you behind the scenes as a Co-op colleague through the perspective of Emma, their Head of Delivery. We’ll explore the culture of Co-op, the values they uphold, and the significant strides they’ve taken towards flexible working.

Co-op is more than just a nationally recognised brand. It’s a place that encourages growth, learning, and empowers their colleagues to make a real difference. It’s a place where you’re not just another employee, but a valued member of a close-knit team. Well-being and work-life balance are integral parts of Co-op’s culture, not just buzzwords.

But don’t just take out word for it. Let’s hear it from Emma herself as she shares her career journey, the growth opportunities at Co-op, and their progressive approach to flexible working. Dive in!

Meet Emma, Head of Delivery at Co-op

Tell us a bit more about yourself/your journey into technology and how you found the Head of Delivery role at Co-op.

I started with a degree in International Fashion Marketing and, during my placement year at George at Asda, I got a spot at the Publicis London Summer School. That was the spark that got me really excited about advertising. So, once I finished my degree, I started hunting for jobs at all the big ad agencies in Manchester.

I landed a job at McCann Manchester in 2007, which was a fantastic learning experience. It gave me the confidence to go for a job at Code Computerlove. This digital ad agency was really pushing the boundaries of what was possible in digital development at the time. I spent 10 amazing years at Code, learning all the ins-and-outs of delivery management and putting the user at the centre of everything we did.

After that, I took all the experience I’d gained and applied it to a role in the Civil Service, at the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions). It was a great opportunity to make a real difference for people who depended on our digital products and services. And then, a few of my former colleagues mentioned this role at Co-op, which was a perfect match for my experience, my values, and my ambitions. So I went for it and here I am, almost five years later, still loving the journey.

You’ve been at Co-op for several years. What makes you want to continue your career journey there long-term?

Well, about a year and a half ago, I hit a personal milestone – I became a recognised leader in product delivery and got the chance to head up a Delivery department. Of course, reaching my own goals is important, but what really keeps me here are the people. I’m surrounded by a bunch of curious, ambitious people who are always striving to improve what we do and how we do it. We’re all about making things better for our customers and the business, and I get to learn and grow alongside these great minds every day.

Remote and hybrid work are now more common. How has Co-op integrated flexible working into its operations – particularly in the Digital Technology & Data function?

These days with remote and hybrid working becoming the norm, we’ve really had to adapt at Co-op, especially in our Digital Technology & Data teams. After the pandemic, we learned a lot and it gave us the confidence to realise that we can change and adapt quickly. We’ve introduced a range of flexible working options; from part-time and compressed hours to even job sharing opportunities. Of course, depending on the role and responsibilities, we might need to make a few tweaks here and there.

But what I’m really proud of is leading a team where everyone has different work patterns, yet everyone is contributing, and their roles remain effective within their teams. It’s not just about the official processes and tools to support this, but it’s also about trust, respect, and understanding each other’s expectations.

Co-op has a strong culture of colleague well-being and work-life balance. How is this prioritisation of well-being balanced with business needs?

Co-op really cares about its’ colleagues. We know that our colleagues are the heart of our business and key to achieving our goals for our members, customers, and communities. We see product delivery as a team effort, and it’s clear in our company culture. We’ve built a working environment where everyone takes care of each other and shares the goal of continuously improving the products and services we offer.

We’ve got upwards of 56,000 colleagues across the business, and we’re all made to feel valued and important. From our core values to making sure our remote workers have everything they need to succeed, we’re all about taking care of our people. We have plenty of amazing colleague networks as well as benefits that help with the cost of living. What really stands out to me is that there’s always a service or a person – a network or a group – who can help. We take the mental, physical, and financial health of our colleagues very seriously.

Developing skills and facilitating growth for your team are very important to you and Co-op. What resources or opportunities does Co-op provide for ongoing learning and development?

We offer tonnes of opportunities for our team members to learn and grow. Just like any business, each department has a training budget, and we keep a close eye on the relevant conferences and events in our field. Beyond that, we have lots of resources available online, regular showcases, opportunities to show and tell, collaborative workshops, and specialised communities of practice. We even have a book club and our own ‘Agile University’ where our colleagues can try out new ways of working. It’s all about supporting each other and helping each other to grow.

Want to join Co-op?

If you’d like to join the team at Co-op, then create a profile on the hackajob platform, where they’re currently hiring for a variety of roles or log in to your profile here. Follow what they are up to on their hackajob profile.

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