Karolina joined Volution UK three years ago as a Quality Control Administrator and eighteen months later applied for a role in Procurement.
Whilst she didn’t have prior experience in Procurement, it was clear that she had the potential to develop in this role and was given the opportunity to grow and excel.
What are your key responsibilities? Karolina has a variety of key responsibilities in her role, including:
- Value addition through strategic procurement initiatives and delivering cost savings.
- Managing supplier selection, ensuring compliance with agreed specifications, and overseeing quality expectations.
- Driving continuous improvement in indirect areas by optimising specifications, management of suppliers, consolidating processes and enhancing efficiency.
Karolina’s motivation to join an apprenticeship programme was to build new skills: “Moving into a new role was really exciting, but I knew that I needed to build my skills and experience in this area. My manager, who is really supportive of my development, encouraged me to do a CIPS Level 3 Apprenticeship and several colleagues who had already completed the program reassured me of its benefits. I decided to take the plunge and am thoroughly enjoying the learning experience.”
Although as a whole her gender hasn’t been a barrier, Karolina has experienced moments where she felt it had altered how she was treated: “I have never felt that my gender has affected my opportunities within the company.
However, when I started in my procurement role, I realised that I wasn’t getting the same level of discounts from suppliers than some of my male colleagues were. This may have been due to the perception that women tend to be risk-averse or perhaps my own early lack of confidence.”
“Over time, I refined my negotiation skills and now approach every interaction with professionalism and preparation. My knowledge, experience, and relationships with suppliers have proven that success is not about gender but about expertise, determination, and collaboration.”
Karolina’s advice to other women in our industry who are looking to develop their careers is: “Don’t hold back from discussing your career aspirations with your manager. Understand what skills and experiences you need to develop to be successful and stay focused on building those skills.”
“Believe in yourself, your abilities, and your team and this will surely lead to success. That mindset has worked for me, and I continue to strive for excellence in everything I do.”
Karolina’s success highlights how apprenticeships can be a great way to start or advance a career, no matter at what stage. They provide hands-on experience, industry connections, and a structured path to gaining valuable skills—all while earning and learning simultaneously!
If you’re just beginning your career journey, or looking to upskill in a new field, apprenticeships offer a practical and rewarding route to success.
