New Sales Apprentice Signs Up!

Having seen Chloe and Euan successfully graduate from the TEA [Train. Experience. Achieve] Academy, we catch up with Andy, the latest recruit.

Q: Tell us a little about your apprenticeship.

A: I have enrolled in a Sales Executive Apprenticeship. It is an 18-month course that involves 4 days working and one study day each week. So I’ll get on-the-job training and will be going into pubs selling Hogs Back beer as well as working through training modules.  I have a tutor and an assessor, who will be regularly reviewing my work on the modules.  This work all goes into my portfolio. At the end of the apprenticeship, there is a three-month assessment period, when I get to share my final presentation in front of my fellow students and my portfolio is marked.  But it seems a long way off!

Q: How did you find out about the TEA Academy?

A: Just by chance – I live locally and am a fan of the brewery and the beer, having been on a Brewery Tour. I found the application on the Hogs Back website. 

 Q: What attracted you to the role?

A: I liked the idea of selling beer!  Particularly in a business role, where I get the chance to speak directly to trade customers.

Q: How have you found the first few weeks?  What have you done?  Anything specific of interest?

A: I’ve found the first few weeks very interesting.  There is so much to learn!  I’ve attended beer tastings with the brew team so I can learn about the different beer styles we brew. My line manager, Gina, has been helping me understand all about the different pubs groups and which beers we can sell where. 

I’ve been out with the delivery drivers.  I really enjoyed going out locally and in London with the Regional Sales Managers, Paul and Dom, watching them at work, but they also gave me the chance to speak to the customers.  It’s really interesting to see how many pubs there are and how close together they seem.  I’m also learning lots about our competitors’ beer too! 

It’s really helpful to understand how the business works, so I liked finding out about what happens in the different departments like Finance and Marketing too.

Q: What’s been the hardest part so far?

A: I shadowed the Brewers for the day to see how beer is brewed first hand.  Aside from starting at 4:45 am, I cleaned out the Mash Tun. That was very hard!

Q: What is your favourite beer?

A: I think it would sound a bit biased if I picked a Hogs Back beer! But I do like Surrey Nirvana – if was the first beer I drank when I was 18. If I had to pick something that wasn't Hogs Back, I am currently enjoying Stella unfiltered.

Q: What are you most looking forward to working at Hogs Back Brewery?

A: Getting out in my area and selling some beer! 

We wish Andy every success in his new role and we’ll be checking in with him at the TEA [Train. Experience. Achieve] Academy soon!

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