Heroes Unmasked: Keeping Spirits High In Uncertain Times

While many Singaporeans stay home, there are a group of workers who have been working tirelessly around the clock to keep the country going since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this series, we shine the spotlight on SIM's alumni who are essential workers across different industries as they share their personal stories of challenges, triumphs and hopes for the future.

By Joshua Joseph When the Circuit Breaker period kicked in, Veronica Lumy, category manager at Singapore's largest online delivery platform RedMart, had to think swiftly on her feet to ensure that there was a steady stream of food products for consumers as they shifted their shopping behaviour.

Tasked with handling the company's portfolio for fresh produce (fruit and vegetables) and bakery, the SIM-RMIT Economics and Finance graduate oversees product sourcing, supplier management, promotional planning and Profit and Loss (P&L) analysis.

“It was definitely a challenge during this period. We had to increase our capacity for supplies as more people shopped online. We saw an unprecedented demand for fresh food as people had to stay home. The cost of these items increased with lesser flights operating and there was a shortage of supply for fresh produce as demands for these items also increased, “she says.

Despite being thrown this curveball, Veronica displayed agility to adopt new strategies to meet supplier demands while ensuring that customers were satisfied with their deliveries. She had to work very closely with her team to coordinate with suppliers and make many important phone calls daily to ensure that RedMart was able to secure their stocks. At the same time, she had to ensure that the quality of the products were not compromised.

Veronica believes that the constant steep learning curve in a dynamic organisation such as hers has enabled her to be well-prepared for times such as these. The knowledge that she has acquired during her degree studies at SIM-RMIT has also come in handy as she is required to constantly analyse P&L reports.

While Veronica worked from home, she found time to refresh herself by taking about an hour each day in the morning to exercise. She recognises that the strong team spirit within her company has played an important part in helping her stay on top of challenges.

She shares: “My work environment is made up of many young talents with high calibre who work very efficiently. Our teamwork is strong and everyone pushes each other to achieve a common goal. Not only are we colleagues but we are also friends! I am also very lucky to have a boss who is a great mentor to us. He does not fail to motivate us and give guidance. At the same time he always trusts in our capabilities.”

Veronica has also chosen to focus on some of the positives that emerged during this period. “I was concerned when meetings with suppliers were shifted online. As we were used to face-to-face communications, I was quite sceptical if e-meetings would be just as efficient.  However, I realised that e-meetings could be just as effective and that I could save on commuting time,” she adds.

While she may not be fighting the virus on the healthcare front, Veronica is glad to play her part in ensuring that people are able to purchase their daily essentials without hassle. “I am happy to contribute in the ways that I can to the community during this difficult time and I would like to encourage everyone to stay positive as I believe we will tide through this together!”

For students who are seeking to ply their trade in e-commerce, Veronica advises: “As e-commerce is a dynamic industry, you have to stay up-to-date with daily happenings. Remember to network as it is indeed your net-worth. It will help you build your knowledge and bring value to your company. Talk to as many people as you can and join industry or career talks to build your professional network!”

Begin your career on the right track like Veronica. Learn more about the SIM-RMIT Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance) degree here.