Darren Cheevers - BSc (Hons) in Supply Management (Food)
Store Manager, Holmes Cash and Carry

Darren graduated with a Supply Management qualification. The whole Loughry experience helped Darren to develop his personal skills profile. Modules such as Procurement, Customer Care and Food Marketing have been particularly useful in his current post.
"I liaise with suppliers to achieve the best product range for my customers and in return seek the best value for the business to ensure profits are maximised".

Linda Potts - HND/BSc (Hons) Supply Management (Food), MSc Communication
ASDA Stores Ltd

Linda, who returned to full-time study to further her education, secured a prestigious post with supermarket giant ASDA. Linda joined ASD's graduate management scheme, progressed to Logistics Trainee Manager and recently gained promotion to Communications Manager for Distribution.
"I used to work as an operative on a food processing line. Now thanks to Loughry staff and their superb courses I am progressing my career with ASDA/Walmart”.

Arlene Black - BSc (Hons) Supply Management (Food)
Category Specialist, Cuisine De France.

Whilst at Loughry, Arlene was awarded the Dale Farm Bursary worth £3,500. Arlene completed a year long work placement with Dale Farm where she gained experience in several departments including sales and marketing, technical, logistics and production.
“The combination of subjects studied on the BSc (Hons) Supply Management coupled with my work experience enabled me to secure employment as a Category Specialist with Cuisine de France, after my graduation in 2004. As part of my job in category management, business development and sales, I advise on how to grow retail sales in the in-store bread and hot food categories. To achieve this I need to determine the culture, needs and wants of customers and ensure maximum profit is gained from these categories. Loughry prepared me really well for the world of work.”

Paul McAlinden - BSc (Hons) Supply Management (Food)
Supply Chain Manager at Sainsbury’s

Paul’s responsibilities are to improve stock availability and increase sales levels of NI produce across Sainsbury’s stores.  His job involves liaison with suppliers to improve stock efficiencies, quality, and delivery lead times ultimately resulting in an increase of local produce on the shelves.  Paul acknowledges the benefits of studying Loughry’s Food Supply Degree for a management career,  
“The course provides a great foundation and insight into the issues facing a supply chain manager.  The teaching focused on the importance of an integrated supply chain to ensure maximum choice for consumers, which is the role that I now have with Sainsbury’s”.

Sharon Gilmour – BSc (Hons) Food Technology graduate
Quality Assurance Manager, Silverhill Foods

Sharon Gilmour graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Food Technology from CAFRE, Loughry Campus in June 2005. Whilst at Loughry Sharon completed a placement year. Upon graduation Sharon obtained a position as a Quality Assurance Manager with Rangeland Foods.

“My placement year was a great introduction to the food industry and the world of work in general. I was delighted to obtain full time employment as soon as I graduated. The degree in Food Technology has prepared me really well for a career in Quality Management”.

Judith Murray – BSc (Hons) Food Supply Management graduate
Pedigree Administrator, United Auctions, Perth, Scotland

“Whilst at Loughry I completed the BSc (Hons) Food Supply Management and HND Food Supply Management Food. The courses focus on key management and business functions such as marketing, sales, procurement, human resource, technical, production and finance within the context of the food supply chain. These provide an excellent knowledge and skills base for anyone wishing to pursue a management career within the agri-food industry.
I completed a year long industrial placement as part of my HND course. For this I was employed with the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland. This was one of the most beneficial parts of my educational experience and an excellent way to prepare any student for the work place.  
Following graduation I commenced employment with Quality Meat Scotland and then moved onto my current role”.

Ciaran O’Kane – BSc (Hons) Food Supply Management graduate
Packaging Technologist, WD Irwins.

Ciaran O’Kane graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Food Supply Management from CAFRE, Loughry Campus in June 2004.
Upon graduation Ciaran took up an appointment as a graduate trainee with the Kerry Group on a starting salary of £18,000. During this time he worked within operations in both Grove Turkeys (Monaghan) and D.P.P (Coleraine). In March 2007, Ciaran moved to W.D Irwins as a Packaging Technologist and is currently studying on the Packaging Diploma course at Loughry.

“My background in Supply Management is invaluable to me in my new role as a Packaging Technologist as I find myself working with all the functions across the business. The Supply Management degree has provided me with a sound understanding in all these areas including Marketing, Sales, Accounts and Production. This has allowed me to settle into my new job quite easily and I am enjoying the new challenges of working within the bakery industry”.

Lesa Stewart - BSc (Hons) Food Technology graduate
Food Standards Technician, Northern Group

Lesa Stewart graduated from Loughry with a BSc (Hons) Food Technology in 2005. Upon graduation, Lesa commenced employment with Rank Hovis McDougall as a Food Technologist. Lesa has recently been appointed as a Food Standards Technician with the Northern Group of Councils. Lesa’s primary responsibility is to ensure food businesses are complying with labelling legislation.

Jayne Armstrong - BSc (Hons) Food Supply Management graduate
Supply Chain Coordinator, Tesco

Jayne Armstrong graduated from Loughry with a BSc (Hons) Food Supply Management in 2005. Upon graduation, Jayne commenced employment with the Kerry Group as a Purchasing & Stores Assistant. Jayne has recently been appointed as a Supply Chain Co-ordinator for the International Buying Team, Tesco Ltd. Jayne’s primary responsibility is to get the product from the supplier to each country using the most cost effective method available. Her job also includes liaising with suppliers, the monitoring service levels and ensuring product availability in the stores.

Cherie McCord- BSc (Hons) Food Supply Management graduate
Assistant Store Manager, Primark Hanley, England

Cherie McCord graduated from Loughry with a BSc (Hons) Food Supply Management in 2005.
Having completed the four-year sandwich degree programme Cherie spent her industrial placement year with the Northern Ireland Food Chain Certification Unit where she was involved in the implementation of the Farm Quality Assurance Scheme.  
After completion of her Supply Management degree at Loughry Cherie commenced employment in the world of retailing as a trainee manager and has quickly gained the position of assistant store manager.
“Thanks to Loughry staff and the number of subjects covered in the supply management degree I had the knowledge and experience to find a management job in a well known company that offers excellent opportunities for progression.”