Testimonials
Chris Thomas – Logistics ManagerI joined CDA eleven years ago and that time has flown by. Previously I worked for Christian Salvesen for eleven years and was involved in Transport at both a network and depot management level. I have now been in Logistics for just over twenty five years since leaving college. I started off at CDA as the Traffic Manager and progressed through to Transport Manager and then Logistics Manager seven years ago. During that time I have also taken on the business Health & Safety responsibility and obtained my NEBOSH certificate in Occupational Health & Safety.
As the Logistics Manager I look after the Warehouse and Transport departments, as well as Site Facilities and Health and Safety.
I chose to move to CDA because I had reached a point in my last job where I couldn’t move any higher. Moving to CDA was a fresh challenge for me and quite scary, going from a well-established company to a small warehouse and an office on Harrimans Lane in Nottingham. I didn’t know anything about CDA but my old boss was here and called me to take a look. I liked him and liked what a saw, even if after the first six months I wondered what I had let myself in for! Eleven years on though I’m still here and every day is still a new challenge!
One of the many great things about CDA is that you are a person and not just a number. Every person contributes to the success of the business; you are respected for your opinions, your input and you do matter. The culture at CDA is relaxed and it has a great family, friendly atmosphere with an excellent work life balance.
If you are looking for a challenge and to be part of the success of a growing business this is a great place to work.
Rachael Hall – Senior Sales Administrator
Tell us a little bit about yourself, what you do at CDA and how long you have worked at CDA.
My name is Rachael Hall, and I work in the Sales Office as Senior Sales Administrator. I have worked at CDA for eleven years
Why did you choose CDA?
I saw a job advertised working in the Customer Care Department as a part-time position. As I had a small child I could work round school times so I applied and I got the job. Since then I have moved across to the Sales Office Team and been promoted to Senior Sales Administrator.
What are the best things about working at CDA?
The people that I work with are one of the best things about the job, it feels like a family.
What has kept you working at CDA for all this time?
I want the company to do well, I love my job and I do the best job I can for our directors.
How has CDA helped with your career development?
It has helped me with my senior role by sending me on a course. The HR team, heads of departments and my manager have helped, coached and pointed me in the right direction to be in the position I am now.
If you were to tell somebody else about CDA, maybe someone applying for a job here, what would you say to them?
It feels like a family, everyone cares about everyone, we all want to do a great job for CDA. It’s a very friendly place to work.
Describe the CDA culture?
I believe that most people who work at CDA want to do a good job, we work in a happy environment and are happy to come to work. Most departments work well together and strive for the same end result.
Steve Boswell – Supply Chain Manager
Tell us a little bit about yourself, what you do at CDA and how long you have worked at CDA.
I am fifty plus, married with a teenage daughter, and have two cats. Originally from the North West I live in Grantham and outside of CDA I enjoy a wide range of interests in sport (rugby league, football, horseracing), music (my music taste has been described as ‘eclectic’ but current favourites are Wye Oak, Ghostpoet and National), social & family history (I have no princes, lords or millionaires in my tree) and I try a get to the gym at least once a week.
I have been at CDA eleven years, the longest time with any business in my life, I am the Supply Chain Manager responsible with my team for delivering product availability whilst controlling stock levels.
Why did you choose CDA?
Ian Kershaw (the Managing Director) approached me with an opportunity. CDA appealed to me at the time as a dynamic fast growing business where as an individual you could make your mark. It still is fortunately!
What are the best things about working at CDA?
The autonomy to create and deliver your own plans. The relentless pace of work. The openness and dedication of most of the workforce.
What has kept you working at CDA for all this time?
The belief that the business can continue to grow and progress in the face of ever changing challenges.
How has CDA helped with your career development?
In gaining experience of a broad range of situations and a number of disciplines. The prime benefit for me has been in managing people – a skill that I now feel comfortable with and enjoy where previously it was something that I really didn’t do well. Maybe that is just because I now work with the best team I have experienced in my time at CDA!
If you were to tell somebody else about CDA, maybe someone applying for a job here, what would you say to them?
If you like hard work, if you are prepared to be open to change and flexible in your approach and you can bring a positive attitude to the business then you will do well.
Describe the CDA culture?
Demanding, hard-working, friendly and always trying to meet the challenges in hand.
Lee Sawford – National Account Manager
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do at CDA.
I have worked in the appliance industry for over twenty years holding various position starting as an Area Manager and working my way up to National Account Manager. I currently look after larger National Accounts for the business.
Within this role I need to liaise across all internal departments regarding a varied range of subjects, some of the key responsibilities include;
- Day to day operations – verbal/written communication with the Head Office buying tea!
- Escalated customer care issues.
- Accurate long-term forecasting of stock requirements based on strategic promotional plans and market knowledge.
- Short term stock forecasting and reservations.
- Managing internal expectations of the account.
- Visiting account branches to gain information and build relationships.
- Achieving sales targets in line with company goals.
I was familiar with the company due to industry experience and I felt that it would be a good career move for me. At interview stage I felt confident that CDA have a long term strategy that we will be working towards and also that there will be opportunities to progress.
What were your first impressions of CDA?
Friendly, helpful, welcoming, organised.
What makes CDA different to other companies you have worked for? Or – what is unique about CDA?
CDA retains a welcoming atmosphere, like a family run business, even though it has grown over the last few years. I believe CDA offers the infrastructure of the bigger brands yet retains flexibility in route to market.
Would you recommend CDA to potential employees, if so why?
Yes. Good culture, welcoming company, helpful staff.
Describe the CDA culture?
Friendly, helpful, welcoming.
Melissa Fitzgerald – Sales Administrator
Tell us a little bit about yourself, what you do at CDA and how long you have worked at CDA.
I am a member of the Finance Team and I am responsible for securing payments and resolving queries from our major customers: Wren, Homebase, Magnet, Center Parcs, CIH, Travis Perkins and Stax. In the ten years I have been here, the company has grown significantly and my role has changed accordingly. I was covering all the major accounts but am now able to concentrate on those listed, ensuring a more pro-active approach to customers with the highest turnover.
Why did you choose CDA?
The role was more challenging and it had the added bonus of being much closer to home than my previous post.
What are the best things about working at CDA?
Everyone is very friendly and you feel part of a team.
What has kept you working at CDA for all this time?
Very busy days and friendly employees.
If you were to tell somebody else about CDA, maybe someone applying for a job here, what would you say to them?
We have great people to work with, a smart and professional environment with impressive technology, high standards are expected and multitasking is compulsory!
Laura Angel – Field Service Engineer covering South Coast Region
I chose CDA above any other employer because I believe in their products and in their belief that the customer always comes first. It’s all about customer service and that’s an important part of my job. It wasn’t just what I could give to CDA, it was also about me and my future, my goals and how CDA can help me to achieve them. It’s refreshing to work for a company that sees your potential and invests in it.
When I first arrived at CDA, I was overwhelmed by how welcoming everyone was. People already knew who I was and made an effort to introduce themselves. Everyone is focused on their job and believe in the company as much as the directors. You are listened to and treated as an individual not just another number.
I have had great training from the start and have been equipped with the tools I need to do the job and to do it well. There is support there when you need it, not just at the beginning but throughout. Everyone is always happy to help you, whatever the query. You feel part of a team here, one of the cogs that turn the machine and produce something different.
I’m three months in and I’m loving it. It feels great to get up in the morning (even on a Monday) and look forward to my day.
Claire Daubney – Customer Care Advisor
My first impressions of CDA were that it is great working environment, as soon as I walked in the office I could tell that everybody was friendly and welcoming.
CDA is a very easy place to work with regards to everybody at the company, nothing is too much and everyone is always happy to help, this made me feel very welcome especially as a new beginner I knew I could ask any questions.
I would definitely recommend CDA to other potential employees, in fact I did recommend one of my friends and she is now a member of the team also and loves it!
Louise Whiles – Transport Operator
Tell us a little bit about yourself, what you do at CDA and how long you have worked at CDA.
I started at CDA in April 2006 in Sales as a Sales Office Administrator. Since then I have worked as a pro-active sales person brining in new customers and sales, I worked with the Major Accounts Team in Sales before in September 2008 coming into Transport as a Transport Operator. That is where I have stayed, learning everything to do with transport before specialising this year in fleet and compliance which means I take responsibility for all of the cars, vans and trucks that CDA operate along with making sure that we are legally compliant.
Why did you choose CDA?
My friend was already working for CDA and she let me know about the sales vacancy.
What are the best things about working at CDA?
Everyone is friendly and I enjoy working in the environment that I do.
What has kept you working at CDA for all this time?
I enjoy my job and I feel like no two days are the same, which I enjoy. Our environment is full on and fast paced.
How has CDA helped with your career development?
There has been continuous support and on the job training, and this year I am sitting my International Transport Manager CPC exam.
If you were to tell somebody else about CDA, maybe someone applying for a job here, what would you say to them?
Go for it! CDA is like one big happy family and is as friendly now as it was when I first started.
Describe the CDA culture?
CDA has a culture to be able to do the best for the customer as they are our priority. We work as a business and all departments work together to make this happen.
Madeleine Evett – Product Manager
I joined CDA in 2002 as a teenager who simply needed a job. It quickly became apparent that this wasn’t just a job but somewhere that felt like a second home – like-minded, dedicated people and a company with real passion and drive at its heart. Two weeks in, CDA recognised my abilities and put them to good use straight away.
Throughout the years, I’ve continually been given the chance to grow, learn and make a difference in a number of areas of the business. Now well into my thirties, and with a number of roles under my belt and time off to start a family, I’ve recently embarked on a career change in Product Management. I still love coming to work every day – for its challenges, to make a difference, for the people that shared ever-present passion, and the exciting times ahead.
Zoe Lewin – Product Development Assistant
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do at CDA.
I have worked at CDA since June 2015 and I am part of the Product Development team. We analyse each category of product to ensure that our range is the best it can be and we look for upcoming trends in the market and talk to customers to understand exactly what they want. We are always looking for interesting new product ideas, technologies and manufacturing methods so that we can improve our current range or introduce great new products.
Why did you choose to work at CDA?
I knew somebody that already worked at CDA and I had heard good things about the company. I wanted to work for a successful and growing company.
What were your first impressions of CDA?
I thought everyone was welcoming and friendly, the warehouse tour was really good and I got to meet people from all departments.
What makes CDA different to other companies you have worked for? Or – what is unique about CDA?
I worked for a large PLC company before so it has been nice to move to a company where everyone works at the same office and you get to meet people in all other departments.
Would you recommend CDA to potential employees, if so why?
Yes, it’s great to work for a successful and growing company and to have an input to launching new products.