Who are you and what is your role in Agrovista?
Hi, my name is Paul Shears and I deliver chemicals for the Amesbury Depot. I started my links with Agrovista, formerly Profarma, back in 1994/5 when I was self employed working out of Andover store and collecting products from the old Rugby store and Maidstone store before having time out working for one of the competitors. I then returned to Agrovista, working out of the Amesbury store, as a permanent employee.
What does your job typically involve?
First thing in morning is compliance walking around the lorry to make sure it is legal for road use. I work closely with Geoff and Andrew to make sure they are happy with the way the vehicle is loaded and I will offer to do other drops, if close by. I work as a team, with Geoff and Andy, to help load so I can get out the yard as soon as possible giving more time on the road. I also work closely with the customers to make sure chemicals are placed where they would like and liaise to gain forklift access, when necessary.
What the best part of your job?
The freedom of seeing the best scenery and the fantastic countryside. Also thinking for myself almost feels like I am my own boss out on the road. I like communicating with farmers and customers as I am interested in what they are doing on the land. I have always worked in logistics delivering and enjoy this role greatly.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Keeping up with training - I have done ADR'S training numerous times and whilst this is easy now anyone new to the business would realise it is not as easy as one thinks. Maintaining CPC points - there seems to be more protocols than ever before as well as increase in traffic you don't seem to get as far in the hours like you would have twenty years ago. Locating new farms for deliveries is not difficult, it is once you are there and trying to find where keys are hidden to get into store.