Supply Chain Apprentice Review

My current role is project change manager for the Nordic region. In this role, I receive projects (New Product Launch/ Material Change/ Artwork Change ect) and create timelines, manage project calls, run the artwork process and manage stakeholders. To ensure projects run to budget, scope and budget. Working closely with marketing and R&D.

I have learned many new skills. For example, how to manage stakeholders effectively and maintain my confidence when running conference calls with multiple stakeholders, who are at different levels of seniority. Also, I have worked closely with customers in past roles, so I have developed customer service skills including how to communicate effectively to external clients and adaptability.

I really enjoy my program. I have been put in some great roles over the past three years across all different areas involving customer service, warehousing, co-packing and project management. This tied in well to my university degree and my CMI qualification. Also there are lots of other apprentices and graduates that you can connect with.

The program is well structured, in that you get put in a project role, customer-facing role and planning role. This ensures that you cover all supply chain basics, so when you come off the scheme you can interview for your full-time role with lots of experience and knowledge across multiple fields. The program needs to be better organised but now more apprentices are being brought on the scheme, this is being done.

I receive a lot of support from my employer. Mental Health is a huge topic at Mondelez and they offer lots of well-being initiatives and have groups you can get involved in too. They also have a large LGBTQ+ group where you can be amongst allies. Furthermore, Mondelez offer generous holiday's.

We receive all our study time from our employer which is a great help, as other companies are not as generous as Mondelez. We get our 20% OTJ training and have opportunities to use our development days to go to CMI conferences. Mondelez support you through offering placements to suit your degree modules, for example I was put in a warehousing finance role when I did Financial Accounting as Aston.

My training provider offers many modules which link directly into my work life. For example, my project management module has helped me hugely in my current role. It has helped me in knowing the theory behind project planning and execution. It has enlightened me that project planning is the main part of executing projects, poor planning leads to poor projects.

Yes, there are many activities at work during covid-19 WFH and in the office. There are lots of networking events ran by our Young Professionals group. Our Early Career's Network run monthly calls with guest speakers and networking sessions, also organizing out of work social events. There is a football team too, we have our own football pitch in Bournville.

Yes

It is a great employer, with many benefits and great people working for the company. We have a growth culture at work and moving departments is encouraged, I appreciate this as a young professional who is open to shaping my career, Also, there is a lot of support at Mondelez through different groups and managers.

I would recommend to make your CV as relevant to the role your applying for as possible, and don't be afraid to show off your achievements. Your CV is the main consideration. Also, in interviews remember you are talking to a professional with lots of experiences - it is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more.