Describe what you do in fewer than 20 words.
Management of office products, cradle to grave, including pricing, negotiation and supplier contracts.
Your best piece of advice to a colleague?
You can have a bad week and a bad month but if it gets to three bad months then you’re in the wrong job – we work far too hard not to enjoy it!
What is your most embarrassing industry-related experience?
Being photographed in a see-through blouse for the front cover of a stationery catalogue (many years ago and luckily no copies still exist).
The biggest change in the industry since your career began?
Discounting – we used to sell from the wholesalers’ catalogues (mainly Spicers) at recommended retail price. It’s either that or the growth of women in senior positions in the trade.
Your biggest achievement?
Having my negotiation skills noticed by Boise Cascade who decided I was good enough to be on their global team.
What is your favourite event on the OP circuit and why?
The BOSS Awards. I see all my old friends and ex-colleagues – it’s like having a yearly reunion.
What do you like best about the OP industry?
The industry is like a family and we look after each other through the good times and the bad – I’ve known so many great people and they will be friends for life.
If you could invite two famous people for dinner, who would they be and why would you invite them?
Actor Sean Connery and [British comedian] David Walliams as he just makes me laugh and I think he a really nice man.
Your favourite holiday destination?
Sardinia – so close, yet sophisticated and unspoilt.
Your favourite movie, and why?
Pretty Woman – the classic Cinderella story (I’m a romantic at heart). I also love the bit where she goes back into the shop that treated her badly and shows them the error of their ways – poor service from up-tight sales folk!
What is mankind’s greatest invention?
The internet.
How would you like to be remembered?
Always passionate and actually – maybe strangely – that I loved working in office supplies.
What would you like to be doing in five years’ time?
I’d like to still be working in this industry.
Adele Griffiths is Group Purchasing Manager at Office Team.
