What is your current role, Sandy? 

I'm currently a product manager for Humanscale. I started at Sektor in March 2020 as a receptionist. So that entailed doing things like picking up phone calls and directing them to the correct team member within Sektor. I did that for about four months, and then I moved into a sales support role from July onwards. I really enjoyed that too - processing orders, being more hands-on with customers. And then I officially moved into the role of Humanscale Product Manager in May 2021. 

What did you do before Sektor, and how did you end up at Sektor? 

Before Sektor, I was in the dazzling world of retail. Spent five years with Pandora Jewellery, working my way up from a casual sales assistant to an Assistant Manager, and finally a Store Manager. I decided to try something new because I felt a bit burnt out and wanted to explore different opportunities. I joined Sektor as a receptionist with the intention of moving into an EA/PA role eventually. That was an easy decision!  

What's your day-to-day routine like in your current role as a product manager?

My day-to-day as a product manager involves a lot of interaction with vendors. I talk to the customer service team at Humanscale quite often, place orders, organise shipments, and track ETA on shipments. There are many product-related questions that come up, and I work closely with my small team and the sales team to provide answers. It's a dynamic role with a lot of communication. 

Who's in your corner in this bustling product manager realm? Who do you interact with the most?

I mostly interact with our internal ergonomic team, my partners in product-solving crime like Sarah, Charlotte, Gav, Mark, and Katie. I also communicate with the sales team, inside sales, and various account managers. Lately, I've been working more with Pete for VIC based dealers and Karl from WA due to their involvement in the furniture aspect.  

What do you find most rewarding about your job? 

Oh, I'm all about that problem-solving thrill and providing answers to questions 📝. When someone comes to me with a query, and I can give them the information they need, it's rewarding to see their appreciation.

I also value learning and development. I'm soaking up insights from legends like Sarah and Gav, and then passing on the wisdom.

On the flip side, what are some frustrating aspects of your job? 

Sometimes, it can be frustrating when I don't have an immediate answer to a question. It requires research and reaching out to the right people, which can take time. Waiting for responses can also be a bit challenging. 

What values do you find important in work and business?

It's all about that career journey for me. I'm all about the progress train. Learning and growth are my North Star. Having the opportunity to develop new skills and contribute to the company's growth is essential.

What's something you're proud of achieving at work?

I'm really proud of the progression I've made within the company. Starting as a receptionist and moving up to the role of a product manager is a significant achievement for me, especially when I didn't know much about furniture or ergonomics! 🤭

Is there anything you wish you or Sektor could do better?

On a personal level, I'm on a mission to boost my confidence and abilities. From Sektor's perspective, I think offering more opportunities for professional development, such as online courses, could be beneficial for the team.  

What do you do in your free time?

I'm quite social, so I spend my weekends catching up with friends. I also recently got engaged 💍, so wedding planning has become a big part of my free time as well, it's so much work! The whole venue visiting stuff, I might hire an actual wedding planner.

What lessons have you learned from your work experience? 

I've learned that it's important to own up to mistakes and take responsibility for them. Making errors is part of the process, but it's crucial to acknowledge them, learn from them, and move forward.