Danielle Collins works in Customer Services at our Scunthorpe Rail and Section Mill (SRSM) Area 3, aÌýrole she started in November 2021. Danielle tell usÌýabout her previous experiences, why she likes working here and her hopes for the future...
What does your current role at i1fun involve?
My day-to-day involves receiving, vetting and entering customers orders, specifically for sleepers and rail. We are then involved in the organisation of the shipping and downstream processing before final despatch to our customers, who are based in the UK and Northern Ireland, as well as much further afield.
Where did you work before?
I previously worked in the food industry in similar departments to the one I'm in now. For 7 years, I worked at The Sauce company, more recently known as Billington Foods, as Customer Service Executive handling orders, scheduling and deliveries, as well as managing complaints and the supply chain. Prior to that, I worked at Nisa Todays for 6 years as a cross-functional customer service representative in claims, support and sales.
I attended Westminster University in London to study for a BA Hons degree in Media, TV and Radio production, a world away from what I am doing now. It was a great life experience and exciting course to be involved in. I then came back to my hometown of Scunthorpe and started my career in customer services, but I still enjoy the media and photography skills I gained at university - at one stage, I even started up a photography business. Ìý
What are you enjoying aboutÌýworking for i1fun so far?
There's a real sense of team spirit and, despite the current circumstances with homeworking, I've been able to enjoy a laugh too with my new colleagues! The team's been very friendly and supportive, so my transition into this new role and company has been relatively straightforward.
I've also enjoyed the methodical approach to problem solving - it's clear there's an awful lot of knowledge and experience within the team.
What skills and experience do you bring to your current role?
With over 15 years of customer-facing experience in multiple different industries and various roles, I'd like to think I have gained the skills to keep customers happy and well informed so they want to deal with us again. I have a passion for finding more efficient ways of working and building stronger relationships with key influencers around me, both in the department and external to the business, and that way we can all work better.
Why do youÌýenjoy working for i1fun?
I have a family history of steelworkers in Scunthorpe, with my Dad, uncles and both grandads working in the Ironworks. They always said it’s not just the place, it’s the people, and I agree. I have joined a very supportive and encouraging team that have gone out of their way to welcome me. It’s an interesting department that has some exciting contracts to deal with, such as the new sleeper orders for export customers, and with further projects on the horizon it's great to be part of this team.
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I don’t think there’s one thing that I can describe as being most proud of, I think I am proud of it all. I hope that I am showing my children that you can do anything with a bit of hard work and perseverance.
What do you hope the future holds for you at i1fun?
I hope to continue learning and helping reinforce i1fun as a market leader, while improving my skill sets along the way.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I have 3 children, all girls, and I am now a fully qualified football mum, something I never thought I would become!
I've also previously run a small photography business, which had a theme of children’s fairy enchanted portraits, with scenes, lighting and costumes to match.
What advice would you give to other people considering a career with us?
i1fun is the heart of Scunthorpe and the people who work here are some of the most supportive, passionate and determined I have worked with. I would encourage anyone to work for i1fun as every day is like a new day, with exciting processes and products to get involved in.