Andy

Tech Ops Manager

“I like being part of a brand that is creative, dynamic, modern and continuing to evolve.”

• What does a good day look like in your role?

  A good day is logging in and having very few, if any, alarms or escalations. Being in an operational role the availability and performance of our IT systems is one of my main objectives. This is the most rewarding aspect of the role where you can deliver something new or improved.
   

• What does a challenging day look like in your role?

  A challenging day is when one or more of our internal systems or external partners are experiencing issues. Whilst there may not be an immediate impact to the company it is imperative that the team work together to resolve. Having to assess and prioritise actions during a challenging day is vital when trying to avoid a major incident or when recovering from one. Not all days are 9am to 5pm when you are in a business that operates 24/7 but this is what drives us to ensure resilience, stability and performance are embedded across all of our IT systems. 
   

• What do you get up to in a typical day/week?

  I am fortunate to be involved in both the “business as usual” operations and the company wide technology projects. We have our own service improvement roadmap which we work on alongside wider projects within the department. Every modern IT project involves some kind of technology whether it be licences, hardware, connectivity, integrations, monitoring or knowledge. Most days I have meetings which are a blend of new projects, existing projects and team meetings where we can review our areas of focus. Whilst these meetings are important and very much part of my role, I am also able to remain active and involved with operational tasks. Alongside checking emails, I proactively cross check our major systems throughout the day to be sure nothing is missed. 

• What's the best thing about working for AllSaints?

  I love the ability to change in AllSaints. Not just from a technology standpoint but through all the teams in the company. Having a team that listens to what employees want and where we could possibly deliver those changes makes you feel really valued. Having a leadership team that supports the technology roadmap with the understanding that it impacts all parts of a company shows trust. Also having the confidence and honesty to appropriately challenge a decision in order to be sure it is the right one for the business.  
   

• What's the most surprising or unexpected thing about working for us?

  How much I like the fashion industry! Although I have been in IT roles for 20+ years, I had never worked in the fashion industry and I didn’t know what to expect. I enjoy being around creative people and walking through the office, I often see which products are launching in the upcoming seasons. I was surprised at exactly how much this excites me!
   

• Why AllSaints?

  I like being part of a brand that is creative, dynamic, modern and continuing to evolve.  Seeing our brand in the media, being talked about, and even just being worn makes me feel proud. I was impressed when I visited the head office for the first time as the ethos and heritage of the brand is evident everywhere. Most of all I enjoy working with like-minded people who want to do their best and have pride in everything they do. 

• What's not in the job description but something you'd tell a friend if they were looking to join the brand?

  The amount of fun it is working for AllSaints! With team socials, company wide town halls, brand days and team events we get to build a strong bond. It's a definite community vibe where I can honestly say everyone looks out for each other.

• Tell us about your journey with AllSaints so far.

  I joined AllSaints in 2016 during a time where a significant investment was being made within the technology department and my role was new to the company. In the first few months my scope and responsibilities grew, and I was able to start adding value almost immediately. Being involved in and leading many major projects gave me a sense of ownership. Even though we are busy I enjoy the challenge and being able to work alongside colleagues from all over the company.