Wakefield woman shortlisted for National Transport and Logistics Award

Simona Tot is one of this year’s finalists in the Warehousing Award (Above and Beyond) category - an award that recognises the difference women are making across the transport and logistics sector. The prize goes to a woman who excels in a warehouse environment. 

This year’s shortlist reflects how far opportunities for women have grown in what has long been a male-dominated field, and the breadth of routes now open to them. Amazon returns as a category sponsor for the Tech and AI Innovator Award, and Simona is among a group of Amazon employees who have reached the finals across several categories. 

In her day job, Simona is operations manager at the Amazon site in Wakefield. Ahead of the final, she has spoken about her route into the industry and what keeps her there - hoping her story encourages more women to consider a career in logistics. 

Simona has spent more than a decade at Amazon, rising from a seasonal tier-one associate to operations manager at the company’s fulfilment centre in Wakefield. She shares her experience working in logistics ahead of the everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards final, with the goal of inspiring other women to pursue a career in the sector. 

Simona’s route into logistics began far from the warehouse floor. Originally from Romania, she completed a master’s degree in Public Relations and Public Administration and ran her own small business before coming to the UK - initially just for a summer to visit friends.

She liked it so much she decided to stay, and within a month of moving she had joined Amazon as a seasonal worker at the Doncaster site, expecting to stay only a few months. 

Over ten years later, and she has never looked back. Struck by how quickly people can progress at Amazon, Simona worked her way up from associate to team lead and then area manager across inbound, outbound and reverse logistics, before moving to a robotic fulfilment centre to broaden her experience. Today she lives in Doncaster and commutes to Wakefield, where she leads as an operations manager. 

On working at Amazon, Simona said: “What I love most is the opportunity to work with so many people and to coach them.

"When I first joined, I only planned to stay for a few months, but I was so impressed by how quickly you can grow and how much you can learn that I never left. There’s just always something new to get involved in.” 

It is that drive to go further than her day job demands that forms the basis of Simona’s nomination for the ‘Above and Beyond’ Award at the everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards.

Over the past few years, she has helped drive her site to become number one in the UK for safety, piloting and getting involved in a series of employee-led affinity groups - including Body-Positive Peers, Eastern Europeans and Women at Amazon.

Her coaching framework now underpins leadership training across the business, and she has trained leaders in Europe, with trips to New York and Seattle planned later this year to coach colleagues in North America. 

 Coaching and developing others is where Simona believes she has the greatest impact.

She continued: “My biggest strength is coaching and developing the people around me. In the last year alone I’ve supported seven colleagues who went on to be promoted to area manager within six months. I get real pleasure from transforming teams, keeping them engaged, and helping people see what they’re capable of.” 

That impact was recognised by her colleagues: Simona was nominated by several of her senior operations managers, including one leader she had personally supported on their own journey from team lead to area manager. She was also closely involved in redeveloping a leadership training programme for Amazon leaders across the EU, helping to lift its satisfaction score dramatically and training more than 200 leaders as a result. 

When asked what advice she would give to other women considering a career in the field, Simona said: “My advice is to embrace every challenge and take on every opportunity. 

"Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to reach out for support - learn and be curious. That’s the skill that will help you develop and help you develop others too.” 

Looking ahead, Simona hopes to continue her own learning by potentially pursuing an MBA through Amazon’s apprenticeship scheme - the latest step in a career built on never standing still. 

Speaking on making it to the final of the everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards, Simona said: “I was overwhelmed, and completely surprised, to be nominated - I didn't expect it at all.

"I’m so grateful for the support of the managers who put my nomination forward, and to my mentors both inside and outside the fulfilment centre. To be a finalist is something I’m incredibly proud of.” 

 Craig Fowler, Site Leader at Amazon in Wakefield said: “The whole team here is thrilled to see Simona reach the final of the everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards. 

"She’s set a real example for colleagues, proving how rewarding a career in this industry can be. We'll all be cheering her on and would love nothing more than to see her come back with the trophy.” 

Simona will discover whether she has won at the everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards ceremony, held at The Royal Lancaster in London on 24th June. 

Amazon runs employee-led groups around the world, several of which are dedicated to supporting, connecting and empowering women - among them are Women at Amazon, Women in Operations and Families at Amazon. 

Women at Amazon is a global affinity group for women, non-binary employees and allies, with more than 80 chapters worldwide. It is focused on attracting, developing and retaining women in both tech and non-tech roles across every part of Amazon’s business. 

Amazon employees receive competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package. Annual pay for Amazon Operations roles starts from £29,744 and in some locations, £31,824. Employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection and an employee discount as well as a company pension plan. 

Amazon has been named as a 'Top Employer UK 2026' by the Top Employer Institute, one of the world's most prestigious certifications in the field of human resources management. This award recognises Amazon's commitment to the development and well-being of its employees. In addition to the UK accolade, Amazon has also been certified as one of the Top Employers in Europe for a fourth consecutive year.