Colleague Spotlight: Andrea Arucci, VMI and New Business Manager
For International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting Andrea Arucci, whose work helps manufacturers keep production moving. With 20 years in the fastener industry and a strong focus on VMI and smart technology, she builds customer relationships and delivers VMI and Kanban programmes that reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and strengthen supply chain performance.
What is your role at The Tibbetts Group?
“As a VMI and New Business Manager in the fastener industry, I lead strategic partnerships with manufacturers, ensuring they have the critical components they need to keep production moving. I manage vendor-managed inventory (VMI) and Kanban programs that reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and strengthen supply chain performance.”
Have you worked in this area throughout your career?
“I have, and my current role is the natural progression for me. I’ve worked in the fastener industry for 20 years, and I’ve always had a keen interest in Vendor Managed Inventory and smart technology.
“At the beginning of my career, I found a local sales role within the fastener industry, and I enjoyed it so much that I’ve stayed!”
What is your favourite aspect of your role?
“I like meeting customers and building relationships. Every customer is different, so getting to know them and their working practices makes it easier for me to identify solutions to the correct production areas.”
What are your future goals?
“To continue developing BFC’s VMI and value-added solutions, which we can deliver in this ever-evolving world of efficiency and sustainability.”
Are there any significant projects which you are currently working on?
“BFC have many vendor-managed systems in place with our customers, and we are now working with some of them on new, smart cloud-based solutions. This gives our customers full visibility of stock at all times, making reporting easier at the click of a button.”
What is something that people tend to under-estimate about the role you do?
“People sometimes think VMI is just operational, but it requires constant relationship management, problem-solving, and decision-making. I’m balancing customer expectations, inventory performance, pricing strategy, and internal coordination. It’s a role that blends sales, supply chain management, and leadership all at once.”
What advice would you give your younger self?
“I would tell my younger self to trust her voice and step into rooms with confidence. You don’t have to know everything to deserve a seat at the table. Speak up, ask questions, and believe in yourself — your perspective has value.”
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
“I love meeting up with friends and family, going out for dinner. I’ve got a 14-year-old daughter, so my life is quite busy looking after her. Her social life is better than mine!
“I love to dance. For many years, I used to teach Salsa. I need to get back into doing that, as I loved it so much.
“We have a motorhome, so we try to get away as much as we can. My daughter loves the sea, so every year we try to go down to Devon or Cornwall. We would like to go to Lake Garda in the motorhome next year, travelling through Switzerland, Germany, etc.
“One of my favourite trips in the motorhome was visiting the Normandy beaches in France. It was quite emotional, that was a nice and interesting holiday.”