Name: Steven Maharaj

Current Role: Frontline Newstrade Marketing Manager

Joined: 2011

I currently work on the biggest UK publisher portfolio – Bauer Media, where I manage the puzzles titles. What’s great about the role is the variety of tasks that can creep up on a daily basis, it can range from deciding on supply levels, to retail planning, to having meetings with various parties, to presenting updates to the publisher and the wider company, however I wouldn’t be able to do all of this without the support of our wonderful internal departments that are always on call to help and provide the necessary information when needed.

Originally, I started out as a Copy Planner at Seymour and after spending time working closely with the Client Services Team, I felt like this was the route that I wanted to take, where essentially you would be working with publishers on a day-to-day basis ensuring that we were doing the best job in getting their products out into the retail world and on-sale in time. After learning my trade within the Seymour Client Services Team, where I was the account handler for a variety of publishers, I was able to move into my current role.

What I particularly like about the Frontline Group is the various roles across the business and if you genuinely feel that you want to go for certain opportunities, then people around the group are always encouraging and willing to invest time with you to advise and help you prepare for you next step within the company. In addition, outside of my ‘normal’ work duties, I’m part of the ED&I team and a Mentor, so there are always other opportunities and various groups to get involved in, which not only aids your development, but also allows you to express ways in making the working environment a lot more comfortable and allows you to ‘be yourself’ within the organisation.

Throughout my time at Frontline, I’ve found that there is an easy-going and flexible nature across the business, which is reflected from the leadership team right across the company, which makes the social aspects and culture a lot more fun. Regardless of the location or business, there are always a variety of events and topics happening, whilst there are various groups where you can be open and express new ideas, functions, etc.

Future Ambition

There are constant changes in our industry, so it’s continuing to think about how we can flip any challenges into opportunities, whilst thinking ‘outside the box’ and ensure we are exceeding our service levels across our publishers/clients. From a personal development perspective, it’s continuing to get involve in any initiatives across the business from an ED&I view, and always trying to learn and develop across the business.

Company Culture

The people are amazing, everyone is so nice, friendly, and relaxed, which as mentioned previously starts with the people from the top, which then sets the scene for all the other departments across the business and that makes it’s a great working environment. Due to this, is just one of the reasons why I’ve been at the group for a longevity period. 

Tips

Just be yourself and don’t be afraid to ask questions regardless how small or big they might sound.