5 minute read
HRNZ Member profile
Human Resources magazine caught up with Catherine Foljambe, New World HR Business Partner at Foodstuffs North Island. She shares insights here into her key achievements and offers practical advice for Members. At the time of writing, she was midway through helping New World stores review how to ensure they are providing a safe workplace during the pandemic.
What are the highlights of your career to date?
I started my HR career in Australia in a finance start-up that went from 19 to 130 people in 18 months. It was such a whirlwind experience and so exciting to be in an HR role that was growing at such speed. Soon after, I travelled to the United Kingdom and was fortunate enough to continue working in HR while on my OE. It’s now been seven years since I came home to New Zealand, and I’ve been lucky enough to have worked for some great companies, such as Goodman Fielder, and several businesses within Fletcher Building.
I currently work for Foodstuffs North Island, where I partner with the New World store owner–operators across the North Island as their HR business partner. I consider this the best role I’ve had to date! We have 103 New World stores across the North Island, with the smallest store employing 35 people and the largest store employing 285 people. I have some fantastic conversations with owners and store managers around team member development, succession planning and engagement and retention.
What inspires and motivates you in your career and why?
We spend so much time in our jobs, it’s vital we enjoy what we do and that we’re in a good environment. I get excited about engagement and improving the employee experience. If we can change someone’s attitude about turning up to work in the morning from being ho-hum to being excited about what they’re going to do that day, it’s a win! Being able to positively influence someone’s attitude can benefit their team, their work and, ultimately, the business. Sometimes people think, “Oh, I just work in a supermarket”, but our industry has a range of career opportunities, such as progressing into store leadership roles and store ownership.
I work with owners who started on the shop floor early in their careers and were mentored and developed to the leadership positions they hold today. It’s rewarding to be part of those journeys as an HR business partner, and I love seeing our owners help their team members develop new skills and see their confidence grow as a result.
What do you see as the challenges facing the industry right now?
Industry wide, responding to the challenges of COVID-19 would be one of the main issues everyone is facing, along with finding and retaining talent and diversity.
If you ask any of our owner–operators what they need the most support with, their answer would be ‘recruitment’. There’s such a talent shortage for butchers and bakers and those wanting to start apprenticeships, in addition to all the other roles that exist in every supermarket. In our industry, it has become normal to have a higher attrition rate versus other sectors, and I believe businesses need to become more agile in retaining talent because it’s a lot easier looking after the team you have instead of recruiting for the same roles all the time.
How has HRNZ membership helped you fast-track your career?
Being a member of HRNZ has helped me keep up to date within the industry. I enjoy reading the magazine to see what is on the radar for other HR professionals and companies. It’s particularly easy to get absorbed in what you’re trying to achieve within your business, but sometimes it’s useful to step back and realise that other people are trying to solve the same issues: that’s where keeping up to date with HRNZ branch events and having a network is so important.
I’m about to start my journey to be an accredited member of HRNZ and am looking forward to branch events that will be happening in 2022. I’m a huge believer in getting the right mentors and being surrounded by successful people. If anyone is considering being a mentor, I would highly encourage you to join the HRNZ mentoring programme. You never know whose career you can help shape!
Anything else you think our readers would find interesting?
Anyone who knows me knows I’m always talking about cycling! I’m currently training for a cycling holiday in April. We’ll be cycling up the West Coast of the South Island from Queenstown to Nelson. I can’t wait! I’m always happy to connect with other HR professionals www. linkedin.com/in/foljambe
Catherine Foljambe coaches Amy Flett, one of New World's newest store managers.
