Originally from Co Mayo, Tommie Campbell demonstrates how a career can evolve over a lifetime. Starting out as an apprentice, he took on a farm manager role before moving into a veterinary practice in Tipperary where he worked for 15 years.

In 2022, he decided to take on a new challenge and started working as a branch manager in Tirlán CountryLife where he now “plays a busy role in a busy branch.”

Last year Tommie was recognised for his hard work when he was nominated for retail manager of the year at the Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2024.

“I grew up on what could be described as ‘a very small dairy farm’ in Mayo. Farming is very much part of my DNA so it was no surprise that I completed a National Certificate in Agriculture in Mountbellew in Galway and I followed up with a Dairy Science Diploma in Clonakilty in Cork,” he says.

After spending two years on the farm apprenticeship scheme based on large dairy farms in Cork, Tommie took on a farm manager role for John Watson of Ballingarrane Estate in Clonmel where he managed a dairy Shorthorn herd.

“I absolutely loved farm management and have fond memories of the whole experience. After that, I progressed into a retail management role for Folke Rohrssen, owner of a multi-branch veterinary practice based in Cahir and Clonmel,” he explains.

That was Tommie’s first taste of retail. He remained working there for 15 years taking on the head of sales role and managing the logistics involved.

Taking on a new challenge

“I’ve never been a person to think that a job is for life and I took a notion in 2022 that I wanted a change and take on a new challenge. I handed in my notice, did up my CV and focused on what the next chapter would bring,” he says.

Tommie spotted an advert on a recruitment site for the Tirlán management role and he thought it would be a good fit. After preparing well for the interview, he was successful with his application and joined Tirlán CountryLife in February 2023.

“It was a much bigger outlet than where I had been working before but I’ve always been involved in management and felt it suited my natural skillset. I embraced the challenge,” he says.

One of the biggest challenges Tommie found in the new role, aside from getting to know the business, is getting to know the customers.

The atmosphere and relationship between the team is crucial for the success of the branch, and it also makes the working day more enjoyable

“It’s rural-based and there’s a need for a strong one-to-one relationship between the branch staff and the customer. Our farmers are our shareholders. It is their business. We work hard to provide what they need for their farming enterprises, while at the same time providing a happy and often fun atmosphere during their visit to our store,” he says.

He believes the atmosphere and relationship between the team is crucial for the success of the branch, and it also makes the working day more enjoyable.

With a varied career, Tommie firmly believes that not everything is about your results in the Leaving Certificate or the career path you initially choose.

“Your skillset can be put to many uses. I’ve no retail management degree but I’ve learned by doing, by watching, by listening over the years,” he says.

The one piece of advice he says to anyone working in retail is to be kind to people.

“Listen to them and make every effort to assist where possible. Retail is all about relationships and it’s about building trust.

“If you can develop these fundamentals in retail then the rest comes easy,” explains Tommie.