What’s your Tesco journey been like so far?

 I’ve had many roles, in many teams here, including Project Lead, Development Manager and Programme Delivery Manager. I’m currently the Head of Systems Engineering in the Colleague Transformation Programme. My journey is an example of the many career opportunities available at Tesco. The internal job movement process is so transparent and colleague centric. Anyone who wants to progress in their career is encouraged to do so.

What is your team responsible for?

My team is responsible for creating and managing the best-in-class system that ensures all our UK colleagues – of which there are around 280 thousand – are paid accurately every month. And everything we do is to simplify processes so that they’re able to serve our customers a little better every day. It’s important, challenging work. The service provider we work with even said it’s the most complex payroll solution they’ve ever delivered.

What’s the impact?

Of course, paying people correctly is crucial. But we’ve also recently introduced new features that allow our colleagues to find and sign up for overtime. The application will show them what extra hours are available at their own store, and surrounding locations. Tesco benefits because there will be adequate staffing to deliver the best service and our colleagues are able to increase their pay packet.

What does your day-to-day, as Head of Systems Engineering, look like?

I’m responsible for making sure the end-to-end delivery cycle adheres to all of our principles and best practice. It’s about making sure we’re getting the right requirements, that we’re building the systems – and deploying them – in the right way. Every day is different. I manage a variety of systems so I’m always working to multiple deadlines and managing my time to ensure my team gets the support they need.

What’s the most interesting thing about this work?

The impact is what excites us. What we do enables colleagues to have an enriching experience. But it’s also a continuous learning journey when you’re a technologist at Tesco. Our application is homegrown, from the systems engineers who configure the HCM solution to the software developers who work on the API’s that integrate with Frontend. And working with emerging technologies means we’re growing our skills and enhancing the systems we’re delivering.

How has technology evolved at Tesco since you joined?

There’s been a massive technology shift at Tesco over the last 17 years. I’d compare it to taking a journey to the moon – we’re lightyears from where we once were. When I joined there were so many monolithic, legacy systems in place and no real-time integration to manage any change. Everything was interlinked so it was a complex process ­– one small change could affect so many other elements.

We’ve transitioned to a modern architecture now and can do a lot in real time, and at a rapid pace, which is so powerful.

What’s the most memorable moment you’ve had at Tesco?

During the early days of lockdown, when there was a lot of panic, and we still had no idea how bad it was going to get, one of our colleagues was stuck home alone, very unwell with covid. I reached out to the helpdesk that was setup and asked how we might support that colleague. Without hesitation, Tesco made all the necessary arrangements to get them transported and admitted to hospital. This stands out for me because even amidst all the fear, kindness prevailed. It’s something I’ll never forget or take for granted.

Why would somebody want to join Tech team at Tesco?

The people and the culture is what defines Tesco. You’ll be celebrated through good times and supported through difficult times. And that’s professionally and personally. And there’s a consistent focus on D&I, creating an environment where everyone can feel welcome, safe, and equal. When you join, you’ll instantly feel like you’ve entered into an extended family and make loads of friends. You’ll be valued for your skills, experience and unique perspective, and you’ll truly be able to be yourself – I don’t believe there are many companies out there that can do it better.