Donna Allen

I drive for Ocado home delivery service, delivering customer grocery orders to home and commercial addresses.

On a day to day basis I must ensure a safe, clean and tidy vehicle and drive it in a safe and courteous manner, to ensure I represent the company's high expectations and image. We also need to remain vigilant when driving to reduce costs by doing so in an economical manner.

We use hand held technology (DANI) to access a vast customer database for delivery addresses and delivery details that is pre programmed for a fast and efficient delivery service.

Working to a strict schedule to meet the booked delivery slots for our customers, we have to ensure every delivery arrives safely and without causing obstruction to other road users.

Originally I was employed at Waddesdon Manor as a Security Guard. Waddesdon Manor is a historic house and grounds open to the public year round attracting 350000 visitors annually.

In my initial role, I was responsible for:

• As a customer facing role, we were the initial contact for anyone visiting the Manor. We were responsible for ensuring the security of all staff and visitors during their visit and if incidents occurred, dealing with the situation using conflict management techniques
• Developing and maintain a detailed understanding of all the Manor buildings, to include the full lock up procedure and key management system
• Responding to fire and intruder alarms across the site and dealing with the situation accordingly, which included incident and accident reports and investigations where necessary
• Patrolled the 6000 acre site on foot or in the security vehicle, and monitored the CCTV system of 250+ cameras, on a shift pattern of days and nights, covering 12 hour shifts on the 24/7 manned site
• Used and tested various fire, security, CCTV, ANPR, gate control and access control systems and also trained new staff on how to use them including the importance of adhering to code of conduct and compliance regulations
• Liaised with various high profile security agencies as well as Thames Valley Police and Bucks Fire Services to ensure VIP visits were safe and secure. This also included external filming agencies when the Manor was used for film sets, and large scale events or concerts.
• I was promoted to Supervisor within 6 months and then to Technical Manager in 2022.

As Technical Manager my additional responsibilities included:-

• extensive rota planning for ten staff to successfully cover absence and leave
• Writing and maintaining procedures for the department so that it was compliant with fire and safety regulations
• Supported Head of Security by taking on additional projects
• Managing contractors on a daily basis for the extensive security and safety systems, to ensure they were always functioning correctly.

Customer facing role selling chilled and ambient foods. Remerchandising and restocking where required to include stock rotation to minimise wastage

At Debenhams I had various roles during my time with them ranging from Sales Advisor, Loading Bay and Warehouse Supervisor, General and Cash Office Supervisor but then settled into the Security Supervisor role.