Ms Ivy Yeung
Career path with Jebsen is a tale of growth and adaptation
Ms Ivy Yeung’s career with Jebsen is marked by her ability to adapt and thrive amidst various challenges. Starting as a Personal Assistant in the Group Human Resources Department, Ivy made a significant leap to the Facilities & Administration (F&A) team as a Manager in 2013. Following the transfer, Ivy was promoted to F&A Senior Manager in 2018. This transition, which broadened her exposure to the Group’s operations and advanced her career, was far from easy.
Stepping Out of Her Comfort Zone
Ivy first joined the Group as Personal Assistant in the Group HR team. During her tenure, Ivy excelled in her role by managing the HR head’s schedule, prioritising tasks, and ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the department. Despite collaborating with many colleagues on HR matters, her primary focus was always on a single key stakeholder.
The First Hurdle
Transitioning into the role of F&A Department Manager presented Ivy with a major challenge—managing departmental functions across the Group and supervising a larger team of more than ten individuals.
Although she had some prior leadership experience, her previous team was much smaller. Unlike her previous role, which focused solely on HR matters, Ivy now had to cooperate with various departments to achieve her objectives. This required a level of consideration and coordination she had not previously experienced.
Tackling Complex Projects
Upon joining F&A, Ivy was entrusted with two major projects: the revamp of Jebsen’s Lee Gardens office in 2014 and the relocation of Jebsen’s Hysan office in 2021. These projects tested her project management skills. Effective coordination across departments, external vendors, and her team was crucial to executing these projects efficiently and minimising disruption to the Group’s daily operations.
To ensure business continuity, our team began planning well in advance. Despite our early preparations, issues persisted, and we had to make constant adjustments.
Seven years after the revamp project, Ivy was able to apply these invaluable lessons learnt to the subsequent major relocation project to Hysan Place. The Group envisioned that the new headquarters would reflect Jebsen’s entrepreneurial spirit and foster a collaborative, innovative, and interactive working environment. To achieve this vision, Ivy engaged in thorough discussions with the interior design firm, carefully considering the diverse needs of various departments. Her deeper understanding of departmental functions enabled her team to optimise the new workspace’s layout, incorporating feedback and innovative solutions such as agile seating, allowing colleagues to choose the most suitable office setup based on their specific circumstances. Even though her meticulous planning and the team’s hard work were the key to a smooth operation, she humbly credited the essential support and advice from the interior design partner.
Achieving More with Less
After the relocation, Ivy’s team faced an increase in projects and responsibilities despite limited resources, particularly manpower. To address the growing demands, Ivy focused on developing creative solutions and relied on cross-departmental collaboration to better manage and maximise the limited resources available, with strong support from her team. For example, as the Group expanded, keeping up with new technology became essential. The team invited Group IT to develop a visitor management system that streamlined receptionist duties and enhanced the company’s professional image to visitors.
In the past year, Ivy’s team supported over 100 events in Hong Kong, ranging from casual gatherings like Happy Fridays to large-scale functions such as annual dinners. These events fostered employee engagement, boosted morale during a slow economy, and reinforced the Group’s values through initiatives like the “Decluttering Competition” that promoted workplace cleanliness.
Triumphs and Standout Moments
Among her standout achievements was the establishment of a lactation room in the office—a pioneering initiative for the company to provide a hygienic environment for working mothers to store breast milk. This initiative not only received praises from working mothers, but also earned the “Most Breastfeed-Caring Corporate Award” from 2015 to 2016.
The COVID-19 pandemic was another significant moment for Ivy, as she faced unprecedented challenges. With severe shortages and rocketing prices due to disrupted supply chains, her team was tasked with distributing essential medical supplies across the Group.
Everyone contributed selflessly, understanding the critical need to support colleagues on the frontline and in other offices.
Delayed shipments meant they had to pack supplies on short notice just before the work-from-home policy kicked in. Furthermore, the team had to quickly acclimatise to changing workplace policies. Ivy expressed deep gratitude for the highly collaborative nature of her team, which helped them navigate through that difficult crisis.
A Fulfilling Journey
Reflecting on her journey, Ivy believes her experiences underscore the significance of collaboration, innovation, and a proactive approach to achieving both personal and organisational goals.
I am deeply grateful to my incredible team for their support and dedication. Together, we have turned challenges into opportunities and continued to grow stronger. Thank you for being an essential part of my journey in F&A.