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KAREN BAKER  is a Category Manager responsible for the Interior, Seat Cover and Performance products in Super Cheap Auto's range and is based in Lawnton. 

## Q. When and where did you join Super Cheap Auto and what were your first impressions? 

A. I joined Super Cheap Auto in August 1991 at the Cannon Hill store as a casual cashier. It was my first ever attempt at getting a job. I was impressed with the friendliness of the team and the confidence they displayed in teaching a young person such as myself the sales skills and product knowledge to assist customers. 

## Tell us about the different roles that you have had? 

My first four years were spent as a Casual/ Cashier at various Brisbane stores. In November 1995 I became a full-time Sales Assistant and was selected to be a Store Opening Team member for our first regional store in Cairns – working in the store for three months assisting the team and managers to learn the procedures for running the store. After finishing the Cairns store setup in May 1996, I moved into the Buying Office Assistant role to help administer all import orders into the business, however, still remaining part of the store opening team. 

In July 1997 I was appointed the Buying Expeditor for the Electrical and Trailer Categories responsible for follow up of stock orders, advertising product selection, price alterations, customer complaints and communications with both suppliers and stores. I completed the ranging for the Caboolture Super Store concept, including the sourcing of new product from additional suppliers, negotiating trading agreements and setting the strategy for retail pricing and promotional activity. 

This is where I got the taste for Category Management. In July 1999 I was promoted to Category Manager (interior, seat covers and performance). Being the most challenging role of my career so far yet the most exciting, I’ve working closely with suppliers to build a platform of a good business ethic – the key to our business success is by working hand in hand with the supplier and maintaining a distinct point of difference from our competitors. 

## How has the company changed over the years? 

From eight to over 180, that’s the change in store numbers and along the way we have seen the introduction of processes and company policies, a rapid growth in team members – to go from knowing everyone in the company to meeting a new person every day, the introduction of new team structures to help support the business growth, four point-of- sale systems and three back office system upgrades. 

The one thing that has been maintained through all that growth is the feeling that as a team member I can make a difference and that I am trusted, respected and valuable to this company. 

## What has been your proudest achievement to date? 

I have always been proud to work for Super Cheap Auto, I was proud when I was awarded Team Member of the Year in 1997, but my proudest moment would have to be the creation of my first seat cover design, seeing the sales exceed $1 million dollars and then to see this fabric, that was a new innovation to the category, on so many stands in the Asian trade fairs and the realisation that this seat cover design may now be on cars in other parts of the world. 

## How do you use the Team Framework principles in your role? 

As part of a very dynamic Category Management team we constantly review and adjust the plan to continually improve the outcome for the business. I am fortunate to work with a group of people who trust and respect everyone in our team, and by providing feedback to one another on ranging decisions we support each other on a daily basis. 

## So where do you see yourself in 5 years time? 

Well I suppose it is a little too early for retirement, I would like to think that I will still be with Super Cheap Auto and have advanced my career possibly into a senior role. I know that while ever I am working with the team at SCA I will be learning new skills and refining my current ones. 

I only hope that I am still able to wake up every morning excited about the opportunity that every day I can make a difference and achieve results. I know with SCA I do not have a job, I have a career. 

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