Quickfire Q&A with…Jeff Priest, Area Sales Manager, Large Warewash – Hobart UK Equipment Division
A hard-working, problem-solving professional, Jeff clicks into the Hobart team like a missing puzzle piece. As a dedicated member of the Hobart family, this ice hockey enthusiast excels in his role, effortlessly navigating challenges and finding innovative solutions.
We sat down with Jeff to discuss his love and passion for his work and the simple joy of sharing a home-cooked meal.
In one sentence, how would you summarise your role at Hobart?
I advise and offer the most efficient solutions to high-volume customers by designing systems that are tailored to our Large warewash products, designing wash up systems for large kitchens for hospitals, universities, colleges – it can be anything that feeds 200-5000 people.
How long have you been in your role?
I’ve been at Hobart for 16 years now – starting off as a territory sales manager, and I’ve been in my current role for 8 years.
Why do you love being a part of the Hobart team?
The beauty of my job is that every day is different. There’s a lot of challenges in that, and within the organisation, we have amazing people that work together to offer support and assistance, and ultimately achieve the same goal.
What’s your favourite Hobart product and why?
I don’t have a favourite. In our portfolio, we have a product for every customer’s needs. Whether a QSR, a 1,500-bed hospital or a stadium that needs to clean 10,000 plastic cups an hour; we have the product to match those requirements. I get the most job satisfaction from matching the right piece of equipment to the requirement of each customer. With the number of innovative products we have, it’s about saving money for our customers.
Tell us something about you that not many people know?
I manage a professional Ice Hockey team – Swindon Wildcats. They play in the national Ice Hockey League, which is the second tier in the country. Most of my weekends are spent managing the team and travelling up and down the country at different matches. My kids started playing so I got to know the owner and decided to help out, and I’ve been managing for 8 years now.
What’s the best meal of your life, and why?
I have to give you two. The first is my girlfriend Claire’s roast dinner – it is the best roast dinner ever. My all-time favourite meal would be on holiday a few years ago. We visited a place called Moon Shadows in Malibu where I had the seafood chowder – it was amazing.