Desislava Kancheva Sales Executive – Export at Comline UK.  

Q: What was your first ever job, and how did it shape your career?

A: My first job was as a purchasing assistant. I was so excited and proud of myself. I had a wonderful general manager and colleagues; we were like a family. We had the freedom to bring up our ideas and knowledge, which led to great results.

Q: Can you share your career journey and what led you to your current role?

A: After working as a purchasing assistant, my journey somehow crossed over to the customer side of the business. I joined a big international company as a personal assistant to the general manager. After one year, I was promoted to the position of Orders Manager. I was always involved with customers, negotiations, and planning & analysing orders. This experience helped me build my knowledge over the years. That’s why I am now working in the export department, where I feel confident in my daily tasks.

Q: How did you become a part of our team?

A: I came from the automotive industry, previously working as an Orders Manager. I brought 10 years of experience, which I believe was solid proof of my suitability for a career at Comline.

Q: Can you describe a time when you implemented a process improvement that significantly boosted productivity?

A: Back in the day, I helped build a program that could analyse open orders and determine the raw materials needed for production. When a new customer order came in, the program would reserve the required raw materials in stock, and we only had to follow up on the purchase order dates.

Q: What is your greatest strength in your role, and how do you leverage it?

A: My greatest strength, I would say, is my knowledge and experience. There’s no better teacher than experience.

Q: How do you stay updated with the latest trends and innovations in the automotive industry?

A: I follow social media and websites to keep myself updated.

Q: If you could trade jobs with any team member for a day, who would it be and why?

A: I would be curious to sit in one of the procurement chairs and explore the new methods they use for analysing stock, demands, and forecasts. As this was my first job, I’m interested to see how the system has evolved over the years.

Q: What core values guide you in your professional life, and how do they manifest in your daily work?

A: Be honest, be natural, and always give 100% of yourself. If I notice something isn’t going in the right direction, I address it promptly rather than ignoring it. Fixing issues early prevents bigger problems in the future. Covered-up problems never complete the job.

Q: What is the most memorable advice you’ve ever received in your career, and how has it influenced you?

A: I was once told to never take people’s words as orders, no matter how high they are in the work hierarchy. Everyone can make mistakes, and everyone can learn from someone at a lower level.

Q: Can you share a time when you felt particularly proud to be part of our company?

A: I feel proud whenever customers speak highly of my service and the Comline Group in general. When customers are happy, we all should feel proud to be part of such a prosperous business.

Q: If you brought a child to a take-your-children-to-work day, what would you show them about your job? What would you tell them about what you do?

A: I loved bringing my daughter to work, letting her spend time with me, seeing me in my professional role, and learning about professional values. She loved being a guest at Comline. I would love to bring my son too when I have the chance.

Q: Where were you born, and how has it influenced your perspective on life?

A: I was born in Bulgaria and grew up in a highly educated family. My mother is a music teacher who plays three different instruments, and my father is an architectural engineer. They set great examples for education, career, and living.

Q: What was the best day of your life and why?
A: Of course, the births of my kids. Giving life is a special moment.

Q: What superpower would you like to have and why?
A: I already have a superpower: being a working mum of two kids. It’s not easy at all—many women give up. But I think it keeps me strong and motivated.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our team members.