I LOVE EARNING MY CRUST How graduate Sam ended up as a pizza manager
DOING the odd shift in her local pizza joint to make ends meet was the last thing Sam Miller ever imagined would lead to a successful career. But that’s exactly what happened to the 28-year-old who now manages a Domino’s in Wigan, with 30 staff to supervise and hundreds of pizzas to keep on top of every week.
How did you get into this job?
I was at university studying dance and had been working one or two shifts a week at a local chip shop. A friend was working at Domino’s and I thought I’d give it a go too.
At first I was doing weekends and then more and more shifts. I loved the atmosphere and what was even more brilliant was the flexibility which allowed me to work flat out during the holidays but back off when I needed time to study.
How did you turn it into a full-time job?
I graduated and knew that I needed a break from education. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do but thought I might as well go full-time at the job I was really enjoying. Up until then I had thrown myself happily and energetically into any job or task I was given at Domino’s so they were really happy to take me on as a shift runner which is the stepping stone to management. That was three years ago.
What does being a manager involve?
Doing the rota is key to making sure we have the right number of staff on hand when we need them, particularly at our busiest times in the evenings and weekends when we can be serving hundreds of pizzas every night.
It can be challenging as we offer very flexible hours so I have to make sure all of that is taken into consideration. I’m there to make sure all our staff get the on-the-job training they need whatever their age or experience. It is crucial we prepare, so alongside making orders, my days are spent mainly prepping toppings. Cleanliness is of course critical too.
I want all the shifts to run as smoothly as possible, so taking time to plan ahead helps make it easier. We are a really happy team and when things get busy or energy starts to flag I’ll start everyone singing or telling jokes to keep going. It is not a quiet place to work but it’s fun.
What do you love about it?
For me, the people I work with are what makes the job. Over the past few years, I have progressed into management and have worked within five stores in the North West.
I have met some really interesting people from all walks of life which makes it so unique. Even when things are busy, we all try to make the environment a happy place to work and laughter is something I actively encourage.
I also get a real buzz teaching and training new team members.
What are the challenges?
The nights can be quite late but you get used to that. In fact, I get so much more done during the day before an evening shift. Other than that I am happy doing anything – except delivering. Thankfully I have a fantastic delivery team because I still get lost in Wigan. I live nine miles away in Haydock.
How has it been with lockdown?
It has been hard work but also amazing. It feels fantastic to know we have delivered a treat to someone who might be shielding. Birthday treats are a speciality of course, in fact one of the drivers had to sing Happy Birthday on the doorstep to a customer last week.
Do you like pizza?
Yes, I do but I don’t like melted cheese so I go without that. Customers who feel the same might often be embarrassed to say “no cheese” but when they hear I’m the same they can laugh about it.
We try and create a very happy environment – laughter is encouraged
GRAB YOURSELF A PIZZA OF THE ACTION
Domino’s is serving up 5,000 new jobs and has committed to providing over 1,000 Kickstart placements (gov.uk/government/ collections/kickstart-scheme) as it gears up for its busiest time of year. The new roles include pizza chefs, customer service colleagues and delivery drivers, and are in addition to the new 6,000 jobs the pizza chain created since the start of the pandemic.
Check out dominosrecruitment. co.uk or contact your local store.