As you might have seen in the press over the past couple of months (or perhaps noticed us mention it on Facebook and Twitter on a few occasions!), we are evolving positively as a company as we continue to grow thanks to Piper’s private equity investment and ever-increasing sales.
So I thought today I would quiz Charlotte Cole, our HR Manager and Press Officer, about the upcoming expansion and recruitment plans and, as we have delved a bit deeper with our other colleagues, I also thought it would be only fair to find out more about Charlotte herself!
1. How long have you worked for Celtic Sheepskin?
Compared with many here, it’s not long – it’ll be 3 years this summer.
2. What enticed you to join the company?
If I’m honest, at first it was a simple case of location; I lived in Newquay and I needed a short-term role to see me through the end of my flat tenancy. I handed in my notice at my previous employment with the view that I’d move to London in a few months’ time when my flat rental came to an end and Celtic Sheepskin had a fixed-term position available as a telephonist over those same couple of months. I knew a good amount about Celtic Sheepskin and so it was an easy decision to make to work for them even though I took a step down in responsibility. I was just happy to have an enjoyable job and a regular income, but as you can tell that short term fix soon became permanent!
3. HR Manager and Press Officer. What a combination! What does your role involve?
That’s very simple – both! After initially coming to the company as an Inbound Telephonist, I moved into the role of Press Officer after a couple of months. I completely loved it and all that it entailed, which for the main part still is communicating with the fashion media in all its forms, promoting Celtic Sheepskin’s products. Then last summer it became apparent that a more focused role was needed for Human Resources at Celtic Sheepskin, with the company growing and the directors and General Manager’s tasks increasing in other areas. So it started with a simple offer I gave to help out with interviews and then quickly grew into the role of Human Resources Manager. I did an honours degree in Business Studies, specialising in Human Resources at Hertfordshire University, so everyone was confident that I was qualified for the task. With 3-years management at my previous employment under my belt, I was keen to help wherever I could. I now balance the two roles, very carefully.
4. What do you most enjoy about your role?
The variety and tangible input I have with how the company develops. I may not sit on board meetings, or decide prices, or even layout new product designs, but I am very happy to say that by making the effort to speak to the media as much as I do and spend time with the staff as much as I can, I make a difference. I enjoy the simple art of communication and making a difference by taking the time to care about someone and reacting to that; whether it’s asking an editor at The Times if they’re planning to go sailing again this year or working out if a staff member could benefit from extra one-on-one time.
5. Which areas of the company are likely to need extra staffing as the company continues to expand?
At the moment the main focus is on the factory as we’re aiming to increase output by 30%. So far this year we have taken on 4 new sewers and I’ve sent out 3 more offer letters for people to start over the next couple of months. At Christmas we had 9 sewing staff so I hope that a 77% staff increase in that department this year will help the company to reach the desired target. We are working closely with a factory in Cornwall which is relocating its manufacturing abroad, so the boost in recruitment at our factory couldn’t come at a better time for Cornwall.
That said we are also recruiting at the sales and distribution end of the company with two positions vacant for Inbound Telephonists and three in our warehouse. However these are fixed-term contracts and these roles are always on the agenda this time each year to help to manage with the increase in sales in the months running up to Christmas.
Then of course there are our senior roles, but these are being coordinated between the directors and an agency, so I don’t know much to comment on those.
6. What qualities do you think make a good Celtic Sheepskin employee?
Ha! Answering this would certainly give anyone coming to an interview with us a great advantage!
The business is diverse in the areas of employment we can offer. So where a certain type of person may suit one role they may not be the ideal candidate for another. For example you wouldn’t necessarily pick someone with excellent communication skills to glue soles as that person would be much better suited to our Sales and Support team. Rather someone who enjoys an honest pay for an honest day’s work would be more likely to get the gluing role.
At the most basic level however I expect an interviewee to show an interest in the company, preferably by undertaking just a small amount of research before they arrive. If they aren’t interested to find out more about Celtic Sheepskin’s ethics of high-quality goods which care about the environment, then I can’t see how in the long run they would add any benefit to the product our customers receive. Our ethics have created Celtic Sheepskin’s culture, so let’s see if any read this blog!
7. How would you describe Celtic Sheepskin to a prospective employee?
We’ve organically grown and we truly have a heart and soul. Nothing has been scraped out and thrown away to make way for the glitz of what’s faster & better; rather what works now is because it’s been tried and tested. It’s certainly a happy company to work for and all staff enjoy their roles within that and the excitement of what the future growth will bring.
8. If you could take on a different role within the company for the day, which role would it be and why?
I already thoroughly enjoy working across different areas; HR allows me to get stuck into and learn the manufacturing and sales end of the business and all the cogs that twist and turn to make that happen. Then there’s the more glamorous PR perspective, where I get to chat with fashion editors of top magazines and newspapers and the lovely regional magazines and newspaper editors who are all just as important to get to know – and love.
But if you really want to put me on the spot, and make me answer the question to put my neck on the line and say what job role at Celtic Sheepskin I believe is better than any other then I’d have to say… mine! I love designing, planning, organising, chatting, dressing up, dressing down, meeting new people, meeting old people and generally making a difference and my job gives me all that!
9. What is your favourite outfit combination, sampling items from our current collection?
I have a lot of opportunity to play with different combinations of our clothing, so specifically looking at what’s in stock at the moment I’ll straight away pick out the High Waisted Skirt –heaven only knows why it hasn’t sold out already. It’s very flattering and a very trendy length for right now - and it’s reduced by 42%! I think it’s best to keep a top very simple with this skirt, so I would opt for the Smocked Cheesecloth Top – tucked in. Then for accessories I’ll plump for our racing green Tolvaddon Bag, to inject a little colour and if it’s a really sunny day I’d wear our Trilby Hat with this combo. Then to finish off the ensemble I’ll pick a pair of our Celt Sandals in natural.
10. Were you born and bred in Cornwall? What has kept you in the county all this time?No. Bred, but I wasn’t born here. Although both my eldest and youngest sisters were born in Cornwall and my mum’s family is as Cornish as they come.
My parents decided to move out of the county for a couple of years and during that short period of time I came into the world (they moved back to Cornwall when I was 1 years old). I grew up in Newquay and love having all my family around me. I went away to Hertfordshire and London for 4 ½ years in my late teens/early twenties, but I soon found myself desperate to come back to the seaside. I love Cornwall and everything it can offer. I would never say that I won’t leave as who knows what’s waiting for me around the corner, but I certainly have no plans or desire to live anywhere else right now. It’s too enjoyable here.
11. Finally, what is your favourite quote which you like to live by?
There are quite a few, but I think my favourite and most used is “life’s too short…”
I’m not a patient person, so this fits very well with my personality but it also reminds me to grab every opportunity and enjoy it. Life’s not fair so you’ve got to enjoy the good times when they come along and live life to the full.
-Thank you Charlotte - some real food for thought!
You can keep informed of any job opportunities at Celtic Sheepskin by visiting the Vacancies page on our website.
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