In The Spotlight – Maisie Twine

In The Spotlight – Maisie Twine
June 15, 2022 Hannah Marshallsay

Quietly working away and doing a brilliant job, Maisie Twine is one of our young rising stars. Maisie works in our Manifest Department which is responsible for producing the shipping manifests for customers’ shipments which are vital documents in international trade and part of the set of documents used for international transportation. Maisie tells us why she enjoys her role as Manifest Clerk and what it was like starting her first ‘proper’ job during the pandemic.

Number of years in the industry?

Nearly 2 years.

What’s your journey been getting to PFE?

I started working at PFE  in October 2020. This is my first job after finishing A Levels – apart from working part time at the Co-op and Marks and Spencer while I was at school. I finished studying in March 2020 as I didn’t sit my exams in June as planned as they were cancelled due to Covid. I joined PFE in the first Covid year, which was really exciting. I was so pleased to get the job because I was very bored being stuck at home.

I was looking for full time work in something that suited my skills and not too far from where I live. Everyone was nice at the interview so I thought I’d like to work here. I didn’t know anything about the freight industry until I started my job. No-one really knows about freight or how things get to this country from China until you work in the industry. It’s been great to have something new to learn about. 

What does your role at PFE entail?

Our department receives all of the sea manifests for all of PFE customers. A manifest is a document that includes all the information about the shipment so that the customs department can do the clearance and the freight team can charge for the freight. So that’s things like, what’s in the container, where it’s coming from and where it’s going to, its weight and size etc. It’s a lot of information all on one page that enables the supply chain to work, we’re the beginning of the process after the booking has been confirmed. All the information has to be 100% correct or otherwise there will be problems further down the line.  I look after one of our key customer’s manifests. Once we receive the manifest from the agent overseas I book the manifest into our system and then provide it to the customs and freight teams and the chain starts from there.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I like to come into the office, with my big pile of job files waiting for me and then at the end of the day I go home knowing they’re all been passed on, without mistakes. I find finishing off everything very satisfying. The department suits my skills well. I’m a very organised and precise person and you need to be both to do this job well. 

What makes PFE different from the rest?

People are friendly, we all get on and have a laugh. I’ve got people around me if I need help and I feel well supported especially by my manager, Franco. There’s never been a situation where I’ve felt unable to ask for help, which when you’re starting your first full time job is important. Everyone goes the extra mile to help when things are difficult – when I crashed my car, one of the team came and brought me into the office which was really nice. I also feel valued by PFE and that the work I do is appreciated.

What are three words that describe PFE?

Supportive
Friendly
Reliable

Do you have any future ambitions for PFE?

I’ve been given more responsibility already working for the key customer, it was nice to get the recognition for doing well. I think this department suits my skills and I’d like to be a Manager at some point in the future. When Franco goes on holiday I step in and cover some of what he does. So I’m hoping that this will give me the experience to help me get to that level one day. I’m very happy at the moment with my new responsibility and happy with my role. It feels like there’s plenty of opportunity for my future, especially with the recent growth of PFE.

What has been the best thing about your job so far?

I’ve enjoyed  training the new members of the team recently – that made me realise how much I know now. When I first stepped in for Franco that was quite a big thing. I was so relieved when I got through the week without any problems. I was so proud that nothing had gone wrong.

I think the best is yet to come though. It was quite strange during the first year working at PFE when everyone was wearing masks all the time and there were no social events. I didn’t know what people properly looked like! So I’m enjoying a more normal working life and looking forward to next year’s Christmas party.

Who was your childhood hero and why?

My Dad. I would go to his work every Christmas Eve. He worked at HSBC at Canary Wharf and on Christmas Eve everyone’s children were invited. I would sit and watch him do his work while spinning on the office chairs! I was fascinated because I had no idea what went on in the work environment. He works in investment banking and has a similar role to me in terms of the skills required to do a good job. When I think about it, I was always going to follow in my Dad’s footsteps and do a data-type job in an office. I am literally my Dad!

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?

It would have to be Christmas dinner. I love Christmas dinner! My parents aren’t together so I have two Christmasses. I go to one parent for one dinner and then the other parent for another. By the end of the Christmas period I’d have had a number of Christmas dinners! Turkey, pigs in blankets, I love it all. It’s got to have lots of gravy and Yorkshire puddings. I love Christmas, it’s my favourite time of year. It’s not like a birthday, when it’s just about you. Everyone enjoys Christmas.

What’s your favourite movie?

I’ve had the same favourite film since I was about five, and it’s Ratatouille. I still watch it now. I don’t even know why I love it so much. I used to watch DVDs in bed when I was little again and again. Ratatouille is one that I remember most, there’s no sentimental reason for why I like it. My little sister is only seven so I watch it with her too. She’s the reason why I’m still watching cartoons at the age of 20! She comes into my bed in the morning and we watch stuff on Netflix  together. I was 12 when my sister came along, so I was an only child for all that time, but I really enjoy having her around. 

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