We Are Royal Mail
Katie Bonner works as a delivery change lead in the East of England, where she is responsible for rolling out One Plan, the programme that aims to simplify and standardise the way our delivery offices work.
Katie is currently working with nine units across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, helping them to put in place the basic skills and standards. She works with the unit managers, giving them ideas on how to improve and get the best out of the unit.
‘The aim of One Plan is to make our offices run as efficiently as possible,’ said Katie. ‘We want to improve everything, from finance to safety. I help the managers prioritise things, and then make sure actions are followed through.
‘One office might need to focus on quality, so I support them with things that revolve around the customer. Another unit might need to improve its safety scores, so I help put in place interventions to reduce accidents.
‘A lot of it is about prioritising and organising and communication, and I've got that skillset where I can go around and talk to a range of different people and confidently help them with their processes.’
For Katie, one of the most important aspects of her role is working well in a team. Without it, it would be difficult for her to implement change across the business. ‘We need everyone singing off the same hymn sheet,’ she said. ‘It’s about us all having the same vision so we can move things along.
‘That’s one of the main aims of One Plan – the emphasis isn’t just on the delivery manager. It’s about sharing that responsibility, and getting the best out of everyone.’
Katie enjoys her role. She initially trained as a teacher and then decided she wanted more variety in her role and joined Royal Mail: ‘I'm a chatterbox and I love the daily contact I have with people and helping them,’ she said.
‘I don't like being in the same place every day, and with One Plan, you can branch out into different units and meet a range of people. Every day is different; it's not boring and the time flies. It's challenging but it's also rewarding.’
She says she has progressed through the ranks with the help of the Springboard women’s development programme. ‘It helped me know what area and direction I wanted to go within the business,’ she said. ‘It gave me the confidence and skills to help me get there.’
Katie is part of We Are Royal Mail, our campaign to showcase the different people and roles that make up our unique operation. See more profiles here.
