Name: Paul Kettell
Job title: Key Account Manager – E-Commerce
Tell us a bit about yourself
Unfortunately I was brought up as a Sheffield Wednesday fan, and I’ve been a season ticket holder for 20+ years now. We’re normally half decent every ten years or so and this year it turns out we look like we’re getting promoted so it’s been a good season for us! Apart from watching and playing football, I enjoy going to festivals, music events and travelling, especially to new places (always booking those cheap RyanAir flights to some random city!).
Describe your job to a five-year-old
I make bathrooms look awesome on the internet so mums and dads want to buy them!
What do you like most about your job?
It’s a continuous learning experience – we get to work cross functionally across all departments both internally and across our customers’ business – finance, supply chain, marketing, sales, internal sales and so on.
How did you get here?
My career starting in marketing as a marketing assistant, where I then developed an interest for digital marketing – merchandising, copywriting, SEO, e-commerce, analytics – and I was promoted into a digital marketing role in the same business.
The business then opened a key account manager role within the DIY channel, as our DIY and merchant customer base started their journey of transacting online and were sounding out suppliers who had a home delivery proposition. The DIY sales director asked me to join the team and so I moved across, and was in the role for just under three years. This included during COVID which was a challenging experience but a huge learning curve, adapting to an ever-changing environment for both the business and our customers. I then moved into a role in IT for just under a year as an agile product owner before deciding to leave the business after 11 and a half years to move back into sales at Ideal Standard.
What motivates you?
Challenging myself. I don’t like to feel comfortable or be coasting. Put yourself out there and try something new that you wouldn’t normally do to push yourself. It’s the only way to learn and understand what you like and dislike.
If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be?
Gareth Southgate – I’d pick players for England who are in form and not just my friends!
Your favourite song lyric or line from a film
"Nah then mardy bum!" – Mardy Bum by Arctic Monkeys.
Your favourite app?
Shamefully, TikTok – it’s got a grip on me, endlessly scrolling in bed.
Biggest facepalm moment at work?
None (yet).