Meet the team
When you choose Hera Beauty as your manufacturing partner, our team is on hand to guide you every step of the way - from initial concept through to project launch and beyond! One of our greatest strengths is our team’s ability to build strong relationships with partners. Discover the people using their expertise and experience to propel beauty brands to success.
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Maxine Palmer, Commercial Director
Can you explain more about what your role covers?
When I joined, the commercial director role was a new position for Hera Beauty. I was brought in to lead all customer-facing aspects of the business: including marketing and communication, alongside developing our people, processes and systems. Focusing on the commercial direction of the company, I arrange targets, budgets and incentives to really energise our team, enabling us to provide a positive customer journey at all times. I also look at how we can continue to support and grow our existing partnerships by researching new markets and industry trends.
How does your work benefit partners?
I meet with new partners and enable them to see products being made via a tour of our facilities. I’m available on the ‘shop floor’ to help the team with quick decision-making. Ultimately, I’m supporting our team to provide excellent service and establish a long-term relationship with the brands we work with. As a manufacturing partner, I want to make sure we deliver on our promises every time.
What was your route into this position?
I come from a business development background - and I still get real satisfaction from setting targets and smashing them! My most recent roles include working at director level for a profit-for-purpose environmental company. Then I was at Growth Works, supporting 150 businesses across the East of England region to deliver on their sales targets and providing grants to diversify or invest in new equipment. As part of this, I worked with Hera Beauty and heard that Andrew (the managing director) was looking for a commercial director. I got in touch to learn more about the position and was quickly offered the job.
What makes you well-suited to your role?
I've got leadership skills but I’m also a good team player. I provide clear direction, targets, expectations, and transparency on budgets. I believe it’s important for every team member to feel valued and to see how their work directly contributes to the company’s achievements.
What attracted you to working with Hera Beauty?
I’d never worked in manufacturing before, but many of the Growth Works’ clients I’d previously supported were in this sector. I’d already built a good relationship with Andrew, and I was impressed by Hera Beauty and saw its potential to continue to grow. I thought working with a beauty manufacturer would bring more glamour to my life, but it's not always as glamorous as it seems!
What’s your favourite bit about your role?
I definitely love working with the team. In particular, the production team is amazing. We really put the pressure on them sometimes, with large orders being pulled forward because clients have had a big promotion and they've run out of stock. But the team always pulls it out of the bag and comes out smiling. We don't have a high turnover of staff at all, and that's due to Aleksandra the production manager, because she creates a thriving environment where everyone wants to stay long-term. I’m also proud of the fact that we’ve around 70% women on the overall Hera Beauty team. I don't think there’s any bias at all.
What would you like to achieve out of your role?
I’m always looking for interesting and innovative clients who want to grow with us and achieve big things. The original aim was for Hera Beauty to double turnover in five years, but with the route we’re on I think we'll reach that within three. That’s an aspiration I’d love to achieve.
What does the future hold for the UK’s beauty industry?
The big buzz is around ‘clean beauty’. Consumers want to know more about what's in their products and are looking for higher-quality ingredients. They’re scrutinising what they're putting on their skin and simplifying the steps. Then with packaging, consumers are certainly becoming more eco-conscious and caring about the carbon footprint. Demand for top-end products is continuing to grow with Generation Alpha. For example, my daughter is 15 and she's been doing a skincare routine since she was 10.
When you’re not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?
My number one has always been Mickey, my horse. I've had him since he was four and he's now 16. When you're around horses, you just forget about everything else and relax. I've also got three dogs, and I'm vegetarian - so I'm obviously very fond of animals!