“There’s a real focus on innovation and growth in this space, making it a brilliant time to be part of the journey” – Kieran’s story

In this role, I support data-driven decision making across the business by ensuring teams have access to accurate, timely, and meaningful insights. It’s a dynamic position that allows me to work closely with data, contribute to impactful projects, and help drive smarter decisions across the organisation What makes this opportunity even more exciting is AO’s clear commitment to investing in its data capabilities. There’s a real focus on innovation and growth in this space, making it a brilliant time to be part of the journey.

I often attend Power BI meetups in Manchester – not just to learn more, but also to connect with others in similar roles. About three years ago, I got chatting with someone who shared their past work experiences, and they said AO was the best place they’d ever worked. What stood out to them was the company culture. That conversation really stuck with me, and since then, I’ve always been curious about working at AO. So when I started looking for a new role last year and saw that AO was hiring, it just felt like the perfect fit. Now here I am!

From the interview to onboarding, my experience starting this new role has been nothing short of excellent. The process was smooth and professional, and Ash, my recruiter, made a great impression with his friendly and informative approach. Once I joined, I was impressed by how much useful information was readily available, and even more so by how supportive the team has been. Despite working with some unfamiliar technologies, I’ve always had someone to turn to. I was trusted with meaningful work right away, including helping to replace a costly system with an in-house solution. Everyone I’ve met has been so welcoming and generous with their time!

My first six months at AO have been a brilliant mix of learning, growth, and getting hands‑on with meaningful work. One of the things I’ve loved most is how quickly I was able to develop my technical skills. I’ve deepened my Power BI and SQL knowledge, and I’ve also become far more confident with source control practices, which have already made a big difference to how I approach and structure my work.

On top of that, I’ve had the chance to get stuck into SSIS packages. Even though it’s older technology, working with it has been a great way to broaden my understanding of AO’s data processes and strengthen my overall toolkit. It’s added value to my knowledge base and given me a stronger foundation for what’s ahead.

A friend recently reached out to ask what it’s like working at AO after spotting a role that caught his eye. I had nothing but great things to say – genuinely, it’s a brilliant place to work. The culture, the people, and the opportunities to make a real impact have all made it such a rewarding experience for me. It’s always a good feeling when you can confidently recommend your workplace to someone you respect – that says a lot about the company.

Now that I’m settled in, I’m really excited for the next step: starting my first major project involving AO’s WMS. This will be my introduction to working with dbt and Snowflake — two technologies I’ve been eager to get hands‑on with. It feels like the perfect progression, and I’m looking forward to building on everything I’ve learned so far while contributing to something genuinely impactful for the business.

I’m also keen to continue developing my technical skills – whether that’s through formal certifications or hands-on experience with new tools and techniques. It’s great to see that AO actively supports this, with access to training resources and a genuine commitment to helping people grow in their roles.