I recently interviewed for the Strategic Sourcing Manager position with Sperry Marine in the UK and found the experience to be both professional and refreshingly well structured. The interview itself was conducted to a very high standard. Rather than relying on traditional competency frameworks or formulaic STAR based questioning, the discussion focused on practical, scenario driven problem solving. This approach allowed for a far more meaningful exchange, centred on how I would address real business challenges. It was clear the interviewer was highly experienced, not only in the subject matter, but in eliciting thoughtful, relevant responses. The conversation flowed naturally, yet remained purposeful and incisive throughout. We explored Sperry Marine’s operations in considerable depth, which I found particularly valuable. The interviewer demonstrated a strong grasp of both the organisation’s strategic priorities and the nuances of the role, making it one of the more engaging and credible interview experiences I’ve had in recent months. Following the initial discussion, I was invited to attend a second interview, which I chose to decline after careful consideration. While I held the organisation in high regard and would have been genuinely interested in progressing, indeed, I would have been very keen to accept the role if offered but the working model ultimately did not align with my circumstances. The compressed hours structure, although offering some flexibility, results in extended working days which, when combined with commute time, become quite demanding in practice for what equates to limited time off. Overall, I would commend Sperry Marine for running a thoughtful, professional, and well-executed recruitment process. It left a very positive impression, even though I ultimately decided not to proceed further.