Fuelled By Ambition...Niamh Ogilvie
We caught up with one of our incredible members Niamh Ogilvie, Sales Account Executive at Pickstock Telford, to get to know more about her career journey and ambitions for the food industry. As part of our campaign 'Fuelled by Ambition' we're sharing the stories of our community and asking them to define ambition in their own terms, as well as give us as insights into their career journeys so far.
Tell us about your current role and how you got there.
I’m currently a Sales Account Executive at Pickstock Telford, a role I progressed into through a combination of academic study, hands-on experience, and continuous development within the food industry. My journey began after completing a Bachelor's degree in Business Management, then I joined Pickstock Telford through the graduate programme with an open mind and a real eagerness to learn.
Although I didn’t originally plan a career in the meat and food industry, I quickly discovered how exciting, fast-paced, and rewarding the sector is. The graduate programme gave me a fantastic understanding of the business, the wider supply chain, and the importance of understanding our customers’ needs. I really enjoy working in an environment where no two days are the same and there are always new challenges to overcome.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue developing my skills, take on new challenges, and build my career within the food industry. It’s a sector that plays such an important role in everyday life, and I’m proud to be part of an industry where there is always something new to learn and opportunities to grow.
What would you say your top strength or superpower is and how has it helped you in your role?
I would say my biggest strength is building strong relationships and understanding customer needs. By being able to connect with people, listen to their challenges, and find solutions that create value has been key to my success throughout my career.
Ultimately, I believe that combining strong communication skills with a genuine commitment and care to supporting customers has enabled me to deliver positive results for both Pickstock and my customers.
Tell us about one of the biggest challenges to date in you career and one key learning you took from it?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced was my first Christmas working in the food industry. Coming from such little background within the food industry, I knew it would be a busy period, but I never expected just how intense it would be. The increased demand, fast-paced environment, and importance of ensuring products reached customers on time made it a real test of my ability to adapt and perform under pressure.
The key lesson I took from that experience was that strong communication and teamwork are essential to success. No matter how challenging the situation, when you have the support of your colleagues and maintain strong relationships with your customers, you can achieve great results. It's a lesson that has stayed with me since the start of my career and continues to shape how I work today, especially with Christmas fast approaching!
Who has influenced or inspired you along the way and what impact have they had on you?
Throughout my career in the meat industry, I have had the opportunity to work with some incredible individuals who have supported and inspired me along the way. One person who has had a significant impact on my development is my manager, Richard. He has shown me patience, shared his knowledge and experience, and has always encouraged me to believe in myself and my abilities.
I was also fortunate to meet an inspiring female at my first Meat Business Women event in 2024 who ended up being a close mentor. The advice, encouragement, and perspective she shared helped me recognise the importance of confidence, networking, and continuous personal development. Meeting people like this has reinforced how valuable it is to learn from others and build connections within the industry.
Our ongoing campaign is called Fuelled by Ambition where we celebrate ambitions both big & small. When you think about ambition, what does it look like for you at this stage of your life and career?
For me, ambition is about continuing to grow and making the most of the opportunities in front of me. I'm proud of the progress I've made so far, each experience has helped me build my confidence, develop new skills, and shape the career I have today.
At this stage, my ambition isn't just about reaching the next role. It's about building my confidence, expanding my knowledge of the industry, and continuing to learn from the people around me. I want to keep challenging myself, take on new opportunities, and ultimately progress into a leadership position where I can support and develop others in the same way I've been supported throughout my career.
Most importantly, ambition for me is about enjoying the journey, celebrating the small wins along the way, and never standing still.
Looking ahead, what would you love to see change, improve or grow in the meat/food industry?
Looking ahead, I'd love to see the industry continue to invest in attracting and developing the next generation of talent. Having started my own career through a graduate scheme, I've seen firsthand how valuable early career opportunities, mentoring, and professional development can be in helping people build confidence and succeed in the industry, especially in young women.
Quickfire questions:
What’s your favourite cuisine?
Typical I know but it has to be Italian!
Favourite pastime or hobby?
One day I love smashing out a run or a workout, the next I'm training for a Netflix marathon from the comfort of my sofa.
If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?
Avicii - The Nights
Favourite holiday destination (or your dream trip)?
My dream trip would be to go to the Maldives
