Danny’s determination leads to role with international firm

Teesside University graduate Danny Matthews is playing a vital role in what many of us choose to put in our supermarket shopping baskets.

Danny, who graduates with a First Class BA (Hons) Business Management, works in Wimbledon, South West London, as a branded goods buyer for international supermarket Lidl.

He said: 'My role is to negotiate contracts, prices and discover new products to bring into the range of food products available in store. It involves managing suppliers, financial negotiation, artwork development and sales forecasting and monitoring.

'I chose to study at Teesside as I’m local and the University has a good reputation, which helped me to make my decision. I’m originally from Darlington and lived in County Durham all my life, but moved to Wimbledon for work.

'I really enjoyed the course and was attracted to its structure and content, especially the opportunities it offered to take industrial placements between academic years.

'The course offered me a chance to develop my knowledge in an array of areas across the commercial spectrum and it was this variation, alongside the real interactive content, which I enjoyed most.'

He added: 'The degree not only directly linked to my current job, but it’s also provided me transferable skills, interactive skills and academic knowledge which I can use to go forward in my career.

'University helps people to mature and it’s this transformation which is one of the most valuable things anyone around my age can take from higher education.'

During his degree Danny completed a 48-week work placement with Lidl UK GmBh, based primarily in Newton Aycliffe, with the placement involving travel around the country.

'The placement provided an opportunity to experience a real working environment in a fast-paced, challenging company. The highlight for me was running a regional project that involved an event hosted by the company for approximately 4,000 people.

'During the placement I was in many different areas of the business, from warehousing to sales, property, admin, stock management and in the London head office, where I currently now work.

'This placement gave me many skills and important life lessons – and ultimately it helped to secure me a job.'

Danny added: 'I would recommend Teesside University to everyone. It has the most amazing family atmosphere and you are a student, not a number.

'I would always encourage students to choose the university which is best for them, which is what I did and that choice gave me the opportunity to develop as a person and a professional.'

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