Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a part of an IT team at a large hospitality company such as Mitchells & Butlers? We spoke to Chris Brydges and Billy Balmer, who are both managers within the Business Change & Technology (BC&T) department, to hear about the projects they work on, career development opportunities within their teams, and their advice for anyone thinking about joining us.
So Chris, what is the best part about being a manager for one of M&B's IT teams?
This has to be one of the most interesting roles in the business because we are involved in such a wide array of projects. There is not a business or function within the company that we have not been involved in over the last few years. You feel so proud when you walk into one of our businesses and see someone using something you have created.
Chris and his mates
What type of projects could someone expect to work on if they joined your team?
You could be working on auto-scheduling in TeamPlan, our workforce management system, own channel delivery, SWS, improving frontline ways of working, table and kitchen management, electronic leisure, menu and product data, training software and software updates - the list is endless!
What opportunities are there for people to grow their IT careers within M&B?
We are always looking to recruit people for the business analyst team from within M&B. We have brought over several people from the Product Programme Team, returning the favour when we found someone who wanted to move into their team. Understanding M&B is the key to this role because so much of what we do affects our people working on the frontline. So we are seriously interested in developing our IT team and giving them the chance to map their own career paths.
What is the culture like within the wider BC&T team?
There is a strong culture of innovation - we all want to do what is best for M&B. We can’t always implement our ideas as fast as we'd like because we must keep our infrastructure secure and ensure that our existing systems are not affected by the changes. But that doesn't stop us from striving to be an award-winning IT team.
Does your team get to work closely with any other teams?
On any project, the business analyst team works very closely with the solution architects, support teams, stakeholders and any other subject matter experts.
If someone were thinking about applying for an IT job at M&B, what advice would you give them?
I'd say that you need to look at everything through the eyes of other people in this role, always thinking, 'Is there a better way of doing this?' Keep this in mind when applying, and that will help you stand out for sure.
Billy and his team
Billy, what do you enjoy most about being a manager within an M&B IT team?
Lots of things spring to mind, but I'd have to say the working relationship with other IT managers is up there. Everyone is so willing to help each other to resolve any challenges.
What projects does your test analyst team work on?
The testing execution of all Software/Hardware upgrades that are required for both Retail and Corporate systems is a major part of our jobs. Really, the work is split into two main types:
Would you say there are good career development opportunities within the department?
M&B are big on progression and making sure teams develop the skills they want to during their career with us. Within BC&T, anyone can move from one area to another, all they have to do is let us know. For example, someone from the Retail Support team has recently moved over to the Test team - it's career path changes like this that we're keen to help our people with.
What is the culture like within the wider BC&T team?
Put simply, it's a good and open one with an emphasis on collaboration and support between teams at all levels.
Does the test analyst team work closely with any other teams?
There isn't a single team within BC&T that we don't work with, which makes it a really sociable department to be a part of. Depending on what testing is needed, we'll work with other business teams too, including finance, property and marketing.
Have you got any advice for someone thinking about joining the IT team at M&B?
Do not be afraid to apply for a role, even if you think your skillset is not a perfect match. If you have personal drive and a willingness to learn, there could be the option to train and learn in situ.
Join our fun and friendly team
If being part of a sociable IT team is just as important as developing your career, then M&B could be the right culture fit for you. Our IT roles cover application support, security, infrastructure, project management, IT helpdesk and more. Of course, we're looking for people who will bring some great ideas to the team, but keep a keen eye out for IT professionals who share our values.
Are you still deciding if M&B is the place for you? Check out our top employee benefits.
