My Journey with IHG: Embracing Opportunities and Growing as a Leader

This article was written by Aryelle Winchcomb, Retail Systems Team Leader for IHG.

From Architecture to Timber

My career journey didn’t start out exactly how I expected it would. While studying for my Bachelor of Architecture, I worked part-time at the Tait Mitre 10 Mount Waverley store during weekends and holidays. Upon finishing my degree, I planned to take a gap year before pursuing my Masters. However, my manager at the time saw potential in me and encouraged me to work on the trade desk. Despite my initial nervousness and lack of knowledge about timber and the building industry, his support and encouragement led me to take on the challenge. I quickly fell in love with the timber industry and enjoyed working with builders.

Expanding Roles and Opportunities

After spending about two years on the trade desk at Mount Waverley, I had the opportunity to move to our flagship store, where I took on various roles including stock control, sales, and project rollouts. These experiences were invaluable and allowed me to grow in ways I hadn't imagined. Today, I am the retail systems team leader in the Commercial team for MMM10 driving efficiencies in stores throughout Metro Melbourne and surrounding area.

One of the top reasons I love working at IHG is the abundance of opportunities for growth. From day one, my team leaders have played a significant role in my development. I’ve also benefited from various programs such as the Frontline Leader Leadership program and the Strive program, which are fantastic perks of being part of Metcash. The culture here is incredibly supportive, with colleagues always encouraging and nominating each other for opportunities that foster growth.

When I first started on the trade desk, the supportive environment created by my teammates helped me overcome my initial nervousness. This culture of support extends beyond immediate colleagues to the broader business, where everyone has a ‘pay it forward’ attitude when it comes to coaching others.

Embracing Leadership through 'Strive'

The Strive program, designed for emerging female leaders at Metcash, has been a significant milestone in my career. This 24-week program that I am currently in the middle of focuses on developing skills, mindset, and personal styles, expanding our leadership toolkit, and building connections with other female leaders. Inspired by other female leaders around me, I was incredibly excited to have been nominated amongst a cohort of other women who are so inspirational.

The topics covered in Strive, such as providing constructive feedback and understanding different behavioral tendencies through the Hogan assessment, have direct applications in my daily work. The program also fosters strong bonds among participants, allowing us to share real examples from our leadership roles and gain fresh perspectives from colleagues across different pillars at Metcash.

Looking Ahead: Career Aspirations

Defining my career aspirations is a key focus for me moving forward. The Strive program includes career coaching sessions with an internal leader, which I am really looking forward to taking full advantage of. I see it as an opportunity to learn from someone who has already had an incredibly successful career themselves. In my role today, I still have much to do to achieve my full vision, but I know that being diligent in setting out a plan now and working on my own development will help me when the time is right to take the next step at Metcash in the coming years.

As someone who transitioned from an architecture degree to a career in the hardware and timber industry, my biggest piece of advice is not to fear making bold choices that lead to happiness. Despite the male-dominated nature of the industry, there are countless supportive individuals ready to help you thrive. For those starting out, whether at a POS station or a trade desk, I want to be a support person and demonstrate how far a career in hardware and timber can take you.

IHG has provided me with numerous opportunities to grow, learn, and lead, and I am excited to continue my journey with the company, making the most of every opportunity that comes my way.