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"To be successful in our business you need to be able to network effectively; keep up with the fast pace and enjoy the challenge of being involved in a diverse range of activities."

I joined Boots 7 years ago as a Buyer within the Strategic Sourcing Unit. My job was to source Boots own-brand goods at the best prices.

I spent a year in this role before moving into the Dispensing Buying team which involves sourcing medicines and dressings for Boots pharmacy.

At the time of the merger with Alliance Healthcare I relocated to Surrey and now head up our International Buying team, sourcing products for the whole Alliance Boots Group.

During my career with the Group I have worked on a number of cross-functional projects. This has given me exposure to many parts of the business and the opportunity to work across teams with many different people. To be successful in our business you need to be able to network effectively; keep up with the fast pace and enjoy the challenge of being involved in a diverse range of activities.

"I really enjoy working for Alliance Healthcare - I work with a fantastic team and have a great manager."

I joined Alliance Healthcare as a Buying Assistant 4 years ago and became a full Buyer a year later.

Among other things, I am mainly responsible for Buying Borderline products for the company. Borderline products are not medicines but can have characteristics of medicines in certain conditions. I liaise with manufactures not only to negotiate deals on behalf of the company and occasionally our Sister companies Boots and OTC-Direct, but also as the main point of commercial contact. The deals we make in Buying contribute to the profitability of the Alliance Boots Group.

I really enjoy working for Alliance Healthcare - I work with a fantastic team and have a great manager, not to mention extremely friendly and hard working colleagues from other teams. I feel that there is a strong sense of leadership and direction from the top.

"I enjoy my job immensely; it is very different to a nursing career"

I am a Registered General Nurse, and I started working with Alliance Healthcare 11 years ago as a Surgical Adviser. This is an added value service we offer to Pharmacists and it has provided me with a new way in which to utilise my nursing knowledge and specialist skills.

I provide a Helpline which assists Pharmacists to decipher prescriptions and to offer advice about the 24000 product lines we stock. I also work with internal customers such as our Buying teams, for example by providing assistance on new product lines, recalls and discontinued stock.

I enjoy my job immensely; it is very different to a nursing career - for a start I get weekends off! No two days are the same and I am always being faced with a new challenge.

"My team members have to be flexible, dedicated and prepared for constant change."

I started working for the group in 1996 when I joined Boots as an A-Level Logistics Management trainee. This allowed me to perform several roles around the business including warehousing, supply chain and productivity services.

I then moved into the pharmacy buying area and in 2005 helped to deliver the group buying synergy savings when the Boots / UniChem merger took place.

Since then I have held the role of Head of Generics and UK trading. I have a team of people responsible for buying and supply chain of generics, and another that specialise in health and beauty.

The pharmaceutical market is so fast moving it constantly provides a challenge. Anything from day to day pricing and supply issues, changes in NHS policy or to global events like the flu pandemic mean that we have to adapt and react, so my team members have to be flexible, dedicated and prepared for constant change.

"We never know what to expect because every day is different and we are learning something new all the time"

I was promoted to my current role from my previous position of Generics Stock planner. I now lead a team of 3, and we are responsible for the replenishment of generic medicines at the Service Centres.

This involves monitoring stock levels, ordering stock from suppliers, raising purchase orders, dealing with issues with short-dated stock, launching off-patent products and a million other activities!

I enjoy my job immensely - we never know what to expect because every day is different and we are learning something new all the time. It's a challenging and interesting environment to work in, and we are a great team!