One Stop colleagues celebrated a remarkable milestone last week, as one of the company’s longest serving employees marked 60 years with the business.
Sandra White, 79, began her career on 18th July 1966 at Misselbrook and Weston, a cash and carry store founded in her hometown of Southampton in 1848. Misselbrook and Weston later became M&W’s, then part of T&S Stores, before One Stop took over the business in 2005. Sandra now works at the One Stop distribution centre in Nursling.
Sandra was 19 when she started, when a loaf of bread cost just seven pence and a pint of milk cost four pence. She began her career producing punch cards for warehouse pickers, organising deliveries in a role that helped ensure customer orders were hand-picked accurately.
Despite the many changes she has witnessed over the years, from paper-based picking sheets to computerised systems and handheld scanning guns, Sandra says it is her love of routine and the people around her, that has kept her happy and settled for six decades.
“There are great people here and we all work well together, so I think that’s why I’ve never wanted to change companies,” said Sandra.
“A lot has become computerised over the years. I’m not really computer minded, but I’ve got myself through it. It takes me a long time to pick something up, but once it’s there, it’s there.”
Sandra works 7am to 3pm, five days a week and says the routine gives her a sense of purpose. After 50 years of service, One Stop offered Sandra the option to start later in the day, but Sandra was having none of it. She gets up at 4.30am every day and has a schedule that suits her life perfectly, as she explained, “Once you retire, you can go to seed. I like knowing I have to get up in the morning and come to work, rather than lull about. I’m not intending to finish anytime soon, as my job gives me a purpose and I’ll carry on for as long as I can.”
It’s been 30 years since Sandra relocated with the business to its current site in Nursling, where she took on ‘Pick of Paper’ duties which involved sorting large volumes of printed operational documents and allocating them to the correct departments.
Over six decades, Sandra has worked in nearly every role the One Stop distribution centre has to offer, including admin clerk, payroll, order picker and stocktaking.
Sandra has thrived in every function including the role of reception where she became one of the first points of contact for colleagues and visitors. Colleagues noted Sandra’s professionalism, friendly nature, and commitment to excellent service.
Following reception work, Sandra then moved into supporting warehouse operations, including trailer loading. Her consistent willingness to learn and assist different teams has made her a highly respected and versatile colleague.
Today, Sandra works within the stock team as a distribution centre support administrator, scanning Proof of Delivery (POD) documents and investigating discrepancies to help maintain accurate records and ensure operational compliance across stores.
One Stop Managing Director, Stephanie Wood comments: “Hugecongratulationsto Sandy on such an amazing milestone within One Stop. Reaching 60 years of service shows incredible dedication and loyalty and is an exceptional accomplishment. Thank you, Sandy, for your invaluable contribution to the business over the last six decades – you’re an inspiration and we’re proud to be recognising and celebrating this moment with you.”
Sandra’s advice to others starting out in their careers is simple: “You don’t need change. If you’re comfortable and happy doing what you’re doing. What’s the point of moving from one place to another? Keep your head down, do what you’re being paid to do and enjoy what you do. If you’re happy at work, you’re happy at home.”
“I’m proud of my 60 years at One Stop,” Sandra added. “My dad would be proud that I’m still carrying on.”
Outside of work, Sandra enjoys reading, watching TV and hopes to one day take an extended holiday of a month or six weeks to visit her nephew in the USA.
To mark her 60-year milestone, colleagues at One Stop held a series of celebrations and gifts to help Sandra realise how amazing she really is.
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