Fuelled by Ambition... Andrea Jex

We caught up with one of our committee members and an amazing advocate for achieving a successful career in the meat industry, Andrea Jex, Procurement Director at Hilton. As part of our ampaign 'Fulled by Ambition' we're sharing the stories of our community and asking them to define ambition in their own terms, as well as give us as insights into their career journeys so far.

Please share your current role with us and tell us more about your career journey so far? 

I recently pulled the below slide together for an event, which summarises it really well! Basically, I got into the food/meat industry by accident - a recruitment agency got me a role in a pet food company, and that then moved me into the food industry!

What would you say your top strength or superpower is and how has it helped you in your role? 

My top strength or superpower would be self-motivation – I am ambitious and always want to do the best job I can do and do not need external motivation to achieve this

Tell us about one of the biggest challenges to date in you career and one key learning you took from it? 

Some of the biggest challenges in my career have been working with line managers who have not been as positive or motivated as I have but have played power games.  This makes me very demotivated, and I struggle to understand and respond to this behaviour

Who do you look to as a role model and why?

I look to people who have been successful in the right way, people who care about the development of others and not just themselves.

What does ambition look like to you?  

Ambition to me encompasses personal growth, self-improvement, and achievement – to strive to be the best I can be

What would an ambitious future for the meat industry look like?

An ambitious future for the meat industry to me would be one where all in the industry are developed to their full potential, the industry can be seen as a great place to work to show school / college / university leavers that there is a fulfilling career waiting for them and that they will be developed to achieve their personal goals as well as industry goals

Quickfire questions...

What’s your favourite cuisine? Italian

Favourite pastime or hobby? Clay pigeon shooting

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?  "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey

Favourite holiday destination? Portugal