Omar Zahid – Sales Manager

Welcome to the 5th edition of our ‘Meet the Team’ series, looking at our great employees in even greater detail.

This week we are looking at our Sales Manager, Omar Zahid, re-living his time as a “Pro-Gamer” during university and his love for basketball…

Tell us a little about your role at John Hogg

My Job role at John Hogg is Sales Manager. A big part of my role at John Hogg is helping our UK customers with their needs, helping them ensure they have the right amount of product, giving them supply continuity, and making sure we deliver good quality service to them. The other major work I do includes prospecting for new opportunities, taking them on a journey with delivering either a new marker system or helping customers with existing marker systems implementing new technologies.

How long have you been a part of the John Hogg team?

I have been a part of John Hogg since June 2019, coming up to 5 years!

What was your first job, did you enjoy it?

My first hustle was a paper boy, which was… early mornings. I actually enjoyed the job because I am definitely a morning person, so I felt like I fitted well. I remember waking up early and finding myself chirping and singing along whilst delivering papers.

Did you attend University? If so, what did you study?

I studied chemistry at the university of Surrey. This gave me good ground for technical elements, but I have also had some good on the ground training that phased me into my commercial role. I think that was always the vision, getting into the chemical industry through technical knowledge and then moving to a more commercial role.

What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love playing golf whenever I can get the time. It’s nice to just spend 4 hours around a course spending time with friends; catching up and swinging clubs, that’s definitely my favourite activity. I also love hiking, and I’m lucky to be situated so close to the peak district with such intense walking and natural beauty.

Tell me something about you that most people wouldn’t know

I used to be highly ranked in the world rankings for call of duty back in my university days. This must have been 20 years ago, I guess you could say I used to be a “Pro Gamer”…

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I’ve always wanted to go to Japan. I feel like it’s such an Interesting, different culture where people are very respectful and nice. It just looks beautiful with some amazing food.

Do you have a favourite sporting athlete?

I don’t really follow sports in that way, but I do enjoy watching basketball. I had the opportunity to watch some live basketball when visiting the states. American sports are high octane with lots of entertainment which I really like. I really enjoy watching Lebron James play, I think he’s enigmatic and a good leader. Michael Jordan is another who I felt was a very inspirational and charismatic athlete who led his team by example. He was the train for success when joining the Bulls.

Do you have an accomplishment that you’re especially proud of?

Currently, it would be raising my baby daughter with my wife. It has been one of the most difficult yet rewarding things I have ever done in life. Some people say that you find purpose in life when you have a kid as it puts everything into context. I would have to agree with those people!

Describe your ideal day off

I think it would start with a nice walk with the family in the peaks, get home, cook a Sunday roast, and end the day with a glass of wine watching antiques road show. I’m addicted to that show…

Which book or movie has left a lasting impact on you?

The book that I really enjoyed most recently is “A gentleman in Moscow”. This is not my usual type of book, but it was just a fantastic story, and I was very intrigued whilst reading the transition of Russian royalty during the end of the first world war.

One food for the rest of your life, what is it?

Chicken Wings… NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

Biggest fear?

Between spiders & sharks. Probably more sharks than spiders…

Goat music artist?

Sam Cooke! He had an amazingly soulful voice that can take you to places in your mind when you listen to him. He’s absolutely incredible.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?

I would love to have dinner with my dad who is no longer with us, would love to catch up again to tell him where I am at with life. It’s just been so long.

Describe yourself in 3 words

Energetic, Chatty, Confident

What’s the best thing about your job?

I get to interact with so many people throughout the business, both internally and externally. I have a lot of freedom to engage with a variety of prospects. I have also had the chance to build great relationships with people, which being energetic, chatty & confident helps with!

What’s an important lesson you have learnt at John Hogg?

How to deliver change successfully. Taking people on the journey of change must be consultative, thoughtful, and considerate. That’s a very important lesson I have learnt.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to new starters to succeed at John Hogg?

Get to know the people as much as you need to get to know the job. Knowing different people’s character, knowing the best way to engage with them, and finding a way to build relationships with everyone. You will get a lot further if you do that.

What sets JH apart as an employer?

Your voice is listened to, and the size of the organisation enables that. If you have good ideas that are good for the business, environment, and society, then you can make a difference or a change. If you’re doing the right things, you will get recognised for it.