Chartered Management Degree Apprentice Review

My current role in sales, I am a Sales Planning Executive working closely with business managers in managing promotions. I look at the volumes and discounts of these promotions and work as more of an admin role within this. I also work closely with Sales finance to make sure the promotions match the records and what is the expected outcome with discount bonus' and pricing. At the moment I am on six month placements and will switch roles to begin with, expanding my knowledge in different areas of the business.

In my first role one of the main skills I developed was my communication skills when speaking to customers on a daily basis. I had to adapt how I spoke but also learn how to engage with them on a professional level. I have also improved my excel skills as spreadsheets are used widely throughout Nestle, however, everyone is will to help out and make sure you understand and I can now create my own spreadsheets and adapt what I need to.

I really enjoy my programme as there is so much to learn on a daily basis and the skills I will acquire by the end of my experience will set me up brilliantly for my future career in Nestle. Everyone is really friendly and have made me feel so welcome, helping me when needed and treating me as an equal within the team.

The communication between us as apprentices and the academy is brilliant. We all know how our apprenticeship is structured with the different placements but we also have that constant contact with people on the scheme. Even before we started, I had communication with the company and managers so that I felt prepared when starting the apprenticeship initially. There is also someone on hand if you need help with anything which provides confidence when asking questions, no matter what it may be. The range of placements as well means that we get a feel of what section of the business we would enjoy and also the experience across the company.

I have weekly meetings with the team I work with at the moment and my line-manager is always a message away. It depends on the team as to how much contact you have, as the job can impact who you speak to and when. The academy has touch point meetings every so often and if I have emailed with any queries, I have received an answer promptly. If I have any issues I usually go to my line manager and both managers that I have had so far have also been very understanding and helpful as they want me to have the best experience that I can within my apprenticeship. I am never afraid to speak up and someone is always there to lend a helping hand.

Within this apprenticeship we have a 20% of the job learning scheme and we have to log the hours we use for University work. Because of this it has given me that opportunity to have that balance between my job and University. My employer and the teams I worked in have always been understanding when I have had assignments to complete or away in actual lectures. Because the team understand and Nestle is so supportive it means I enjoy it that much more.

I can link the two together with the modules that I learn and University and then my job role. When learning it is in a everyday situation that you can apply anywhere, however, with working I can relate what I have learnt to my everyday role and apply the skills I have learnt.

When I started there were multiple training sessions and then we had online socials within the team that I was working with. It has been different because of the current situation with Covid-19. However, Nestle have adapted and have made sure we are involved in anything we can. We have academy teams where we do presentations to colleges and schools and there are multiple volunteering opportunities made available through Nestle.

Yes

Nestle have made me feel so welcome within the company and I am treated as an equal. The opportunities that are available through the company are endless and there is always a chance to push myself and Nestle is there to help me. They have my best interests at heart and are there to support me thoroughly through my journey at Nestle.

Be true to yourself, don't try and be the person who you think they want as one aspect is, they want to see you and how you as a person would fit into the company. You don't need to know everything there and then but you need to have a passion to learn and show your enthusiasm as this is an amazing opportunity.