Meet our People
Name : Mike McDonald 
Current Role: Store Manager
I have worked for Thorntons in the position of store manager for 10 years now and after all this time am still overwhelmed by the sense of pride and achievement that my role continues to offer me. During that time there have been so many opportunities available to me and as a result I now hold the position of Area Support Manager.
I am really looking forward to developing in this role and progressing my career with the company and importantly I know that I will have the full support and all the training I need from the company to do this. The job really is what you make it, the commitment that you put in is rewarded tenfold in return
Name : Emma Hallsworth
Current Role: Retail, Operations, and Marketing Administrator
I joined Thorntons in 2002 as Store Manager for Bluewater, managing a team to deliver over £1m in sales. I contributed to my areas successes in many ways, one of them as their Retail Council Representative. I wanted to challenge myself further and the opportunity arose for a secondment organising the Retail Conference in 2006 to which I was successfully appointed.
This position moved me to the Thorntons Support Centre in Derbyshire. This enabled me to network throughout the business, gaining and building great working relationships along the way. Since then I have also covered various secondments in other areas, such as aiding the implementation of Auto replenishment, Retail Operations, Marketing and Transport. I have gained a great understanding of our business and contributed to many projects. Thorntons has allowed me to develop and grow throughout the business and I am excited to see what the future will hold for me within Thorntons.
Name: Laura Hilton
Current Role: Graduate Process Manager
I graduated from Chester University in 2006 with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies. I also completed a 1 year sandwich placement at Agility Logistics. I chose Thornton's because I wanted to work for a top class organisation with a strong brand. I felt Thorntons offered great opportunities for both my professional and personal development. I like the variety of the role and the fact that you get to gain experience across different functions of the business.
I joined Thorntons as a Production Scheduler where I was involved in both the short and long term planning of Easter all year round models and bars as well as moulded chocolates. My main responsibilities were to ensure products were made on time and in full to meet customer requirements.
I then moved on to my second placement as a Demand Analyst in Supply Chain. My main responsibilities were to analyse current business demands and to be a gate keeper between the forecasting team and production planning. This role offered lots of variety and required to me to be involved in lots of different areas of the business.
At present I am working as a Process Manager in the manufacturing factory where my role is to lead a shift based team to drive improved performance through the delivery of production specific goals and targets. Within my area I am responsible for 3 operational lines, 85 people, 106 different products and £3m worth of raw materials. My key accountabilities are to ensure that food safety and product specifications are met; ensure all health, safety & hygiene procedures are followed; to pro-actively contribute towards continuous improvement activities; and to participate in new product development trials.
I think Thorntons is a great place to work and build a career. I have really enjoyed my time here so far. It has given me many opportunities to get involved in lots of diverse and interesting projects.
Name: Sarah Brennan
Current Role: HR Advisor
I started working for Thorntons as a Saturday girl when I was at University in Huddersfield. Once I completed my degree I was promoted to Assistant Manager and 9 months later I became Store Manager in Wakefield.
As a Store Manager I was responsible for managing my team, controlling budgets and stock and achieving targets and K.P.I.s. I was also part of other projects including re-launching the Competency and Appraisal system and evaluating the Retail Operations Manual. I moved around my Area helping out in various stores and was promoted to a larger turnover store 3 years later in York.
Whilst being Store Manager at York I completed a 4 week secondment at Head Office in the Human Resources department which is an area that I am passionate about and was successful in achieving a permanent position as HR Assistant in 2007. In January 2009 I was promoted to HR Advisor looking after both the Retail and Supply Chain areas of the business.
I am passionate about my career within HR and within Thorntons and they have been extremely supportive in helping me achieve all my goals over the last 10 years. Thorntons is passionate about developing its people and support them every step of the way. In all the roles I have done every day brings a different challenge that are hard work but enjoyable.
Name: Jo Talbot
Current Role: Factory Manager
I Graduated from Hull University in 1996 with a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics. From University I took a role as Accounts Assistant at Lawson Mardon Flexibles in York. In 1998 I moved location to the Midlands taking a role as Production Planner at Roche Products.
I joined Thorntons in 2000 as a Scheduler. After 6 months I was given the opportunity to move into a role in Planning and Supply. From here I joined the Production Management team in 2001 acquiring the role of Factory Manager in September 2008.
The Packing factory at Thorntons employs 360 people permanently with the team increasing to approx 550ppl during peak seasons. I have a team of 10 Production Managers dealing with the day-to-day activities and a good reporting structure to assess and deal with immediate issues as they arise.
My main responsibilities are to deliver positive results whilst ensuring the dept is flexible to cope with a highly erratic forecast. Also to ensure the health and safety of all employees in the factory.
I think Thorntons is a positive employer allowing you to grasp opportunities with both hands. I have always been encouraged to succeed in any task I undertake and hope that as a Senior Manager I can give back that experience to my team members and develop the next superstars!!