Our People
People are the heart of everything we do here at Cooplands.
We aim to provide a friendly and positive place to work where there are possibilities for progression. We are committed to training and helping our staff develop the skills they need to fulfil their potential.
Holly
Marketing Assistant
Scarborough Bakery
As well as looking after our social media channels, I help develop our campaigns and see what’s working. I keep an eye on what our competitors are up to too.
I wanted to work at Cooplands because even though they’ve been around for donkey’s years, they’ve actually got a really forward-looking outlook. I want to go places in my career and I feel like I’ll get to do that here.
The thing I enjoy most about my job is seeing the campaigns make a difference and thinking, ‘I did that’. Plus my team are like a family – we’re really close and have a good laugh.
“Chocolate Flapjack does it for me
– I’m a bit of a chocoholic!”
Martin
Baker
Durham Bakery
My role? Everything from baking bread and making sausage rolls, to decorating the sweet treats when they’re fresh out of the oven.
I worked for the previous bakery before Cooplands took over, so I’ve worked here most of my career. I like knowing I’m making something that people will always need and want, and that’s felt even more valuable in the last year.
People always ask what I like making most and it’s probably the puff pastry for the pies and pasties. Golden flaky pastry that melts in your mouth, oh yeah!
“Cream Cakes, ours are the top
- if I do say so myself.”
Megan
Shop Assistant
Belmont Shop, Durham
I do pretty much everything: baking, answering queries and taking orders over the phone, arranging products in the display cabinet, training new members of staff. And of course, serving customers.
I actually started as Saturday staff while I was at college. Then when I finished my course, I realised working here was what I wanted to do full time. And now I’ve been here four years.
My favourite part of the job is serving the lovely customers who walk through the door every day. Coming in and choosing what they’re going to have – it’s one of the best parts of people’s day, so it makes me happy too.
“That’s easy… Strawberry Tarts. I always recommend them if someone can’t decide what to have.”
Michelle
Area Manager
Northern Region
I look after 12 shops, helping them make sure their customer service is top-notch.
Making customers feel looked after is something Cooplands is famous for – that friendly ‘family baker’ feel. Working for a company with such a strong reputation was a big part of why I joined.
I’m a people person. I love getting to know the staff at the different shops, seeing them develop in their roles. And the business is growing so there’s a real buzz – new faces, people moving onwards and upwards with us.
“Cheese Straws – one’s never enough…”
Sara
Head of Procurement
Scarborough
Supplier relationships, routes to market, packaging and ingredients and all the markets we buy them from – it’s all part of my job. And between Brexit, Covid and always needing to keep costs down for our customers, there’s never a dull moment.
Cooplands’ culture was what attracted me. We’re a tight team and everyone gets a say, which makes for a really innovative atmosphere.
No two days are the same here and that’s just how I like it. We’re constantly looking to see how we can do things better and I think the next few years are going to be really exciting.
“An Iced Finger with a mid-morning cuppa
– you can’t beat it!”
Steve
Relief Manager
North-East
I oversee eight stores, organising rotas, ordering stock and generally helping out where I’m needed.
I’ve worked for Cooplands for two years but I’m actually training to be a paramedic. Cooplands have been really supportive, helping me fit my work around my training. I wouldn’t have got that with a company that didn’t value individuals.
Bringing a smile to customers’ faces is my favourite part of the job. And being able to chat to people is going to be important in my future career too, so it’s all good practice.
“Can I have 2? Lamb & Mint Pie for savoury,
Devonshire Split for sweet.”