My Wrights Journey: Michelle Edmunds

As Wrights celebrates its 100th year, we’re shining a spotlight on the people who have helped shape the business into what it is today. Behind every product is a team dedicated to upholding the quality, craftsmanship and values that have defined Wrights for a century, while continually finding new ways to innovate and meet changing customer demands.

Few people embody that journey better than Michelle Edmunds. Having joined Wrights at just 19 years old in her first full-time role on the production line, Michelle has spent the last 22 years growing with the business. Today, as Raw Materials Replenishment & Inventory Manager, she plays a vital role in keeping operations running smoothly. As part of our centenary celebrations, Michelle reflects on her career at Wrights, the changes she’s seen over the years, and what makes the company such a special place to work.

Tell us about your role at Wrights.

“I’m the Raw Materials Replenishment & Inventory Manager. My role is all about overseeing stock levels across the site, from raw materials through to finished goods. I work alongside all departments to make sure we have the right stock in the right place at the right time, keeping everything running smoothly.”

How long have you been at Wrights, and have you held any previous roles?

“I’ve been at Wrights for almost 22 years! I started as a 19-year-old looking for a job, but after becoming a team leader and finding my feet, I never looked back! Back then, before we had any spirals on site, I stood at the end of the pasty line taking trays off and loading them into racks. From there, I moved into high care, where I learned to run the lines and eventually became a Grade 1 Team Leader.

Over the next few years, I learned to run other lines in low care and worked on a variety of bespoke savoury products. After seven years, I was offered the opportunity to join the ready meals business that Wrights had acquired. It took me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to a completely different side of the company, it’s an opportunity I’m really grateful for, and working in different departments is part of what has made my experience so varied and interesting.

I became a Production Planner and Raw Materials Replenishment Planner before eventually taking responsibility for raw materials replenishment across all three sites. I was also involved in managing the sandwich room operation after the Stoke factory relocated to Crewe.

Later, I became Site Planning Manager, overseeing planning across all three factories while managing raw materials and inventory. I’ve now been in my current role as Raw Materials Replenishment & Inventory Manager for almost 12 months, it’s my best role yet!”

What made you join Wrights originally?

“It was a local family business right on my doorstep, everyone knew about Wrights and I’d heard it was a good place to work. I’d been at college for three years and, like most 19-year-olds, I needed to earn some money for weekends out with my friends!”

What achievement are you most proud of during your time at Wrights?

“I’m proud to have worked for a family business that opened doors for me and gave me opportunities to grow, not only in my career but as a person.

Wrights has been my work family. I’ve gone from being that teenager who didn’t have a care in the world to owning my own home and having three fantastic children. The company has been a constant throughout that journey, and I’ve made friends for life here with my colleagues, some I still work with today.”

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen over the years?

“How much we’ve grown. We’ve gone from running one shift per line to three shifts. We’ve gone from working out of a packing room with blast freezers to having six spirals on site. Wrights have invested massively over the years, not just in machinery and facilities, but in people too. That’s probably the biggest difference I’ve seen.”

What keeps you coming back to work each day?

“The people, without a doubt. I’ve worked with some fantastic people over the years and built relationships that have lasted throughout my career. No two days are ever quite the same either. There are always new challenges to tackle and opportunities to learn something different, it keeps it fresh and exciting.”

What does it mean to you to be part of a company celebrating 100 years?

“I’m incredibly proud. Reaching 100 years in business is a huge achievement. The fact that Wrights has been successful for an entire century shows how well we’ve adapted and evolved through changing times. That’s ten different decades of change, and we’re still going strong. I’m so proud to be from the local area too, we’re a household name!”

If you could sum up your time at Wrights in a few words, what would they be?

“Hard work, but laughter and fun all the way through. Looking back, it’s been quite a journey, and I’m proud to have been part of the Wrights story for so long.”