Supply Chain Apprentice Review

My current role is as a procurement specialist where my main responsibility is assisting in ensuring the supply of raw and packaging materials into the business from our suppliers. I have both daily communications with internal and external stakeholders around supplier performance, pricing, new product development, admin and ways of working.

I am working towards my supply chain level 3 practitioner qualification with the university of Lincoln, this is providing me with end to end supply chain insight and knowledge that i can then apply within my day to day role & operations. Whilst being at Nestle i have had the opportunity to be apart of learning courses such as coaching development and farm to fork which is an overview of the end to end process of supply chain.

I am currently really enjoying my experience on the supply chain apprentice scheme as i am able to earn whilst learn and have the opportunity to have the same responsibilities as a full time employee and have the benefit of encouragement in learning and training. I am also able to experience three different areas whilst on scheme due to being able to do rotations within Nestle. The company culture at Nestle is great as it is an inclusive and encouraging environment.

My scheme is very structured we receive set periods of study time which includes college tutorials and independent study time to allow us to submerge ourselves into our assignments without the pressure of completing day to day work tasks. We also our provided with our own workplace mentor and buddy who provide support and opportunities whilst on scheme.

In all aspects of my time at Nestle i have received support from the academy team within, education provider, line managers during my rotations and past and present apprentices. The most crucial support provided is that from our mentors as they support us in choosing roles, helping us seek opportunities and are there to assist with the work, study life balance.

I receive vast amount of support from my training provider including all contact details for tutors that have provided the lesson for the assignments that are due so that we are able to ask any questions surrounding the assignment criteria. They also ensure we have a regular tutor, Nestle mentor and apprentice review to ensure we are all aligned and comfortable with the course and its requirements.

I believe that the my qualification helps me perform better within my roles at Nestle as it provides me with the knowledge and supply chain function insight that i would not necessarily have if i was to be employed by Nestle alone. I can relate frequently to the assignment topic to tasks that i have completed within my role and be able to understand how they interlink.

I have been involved in extra curricular activities with the academy team at Nestle by being a speaker for academy events such as providing insight to potential job applicants on my experience at Nestle so far and the scheme. I have also been included in general apprentice scheme awareness with Barclays and wild hearts. There is lots of volunteer initiatives at Nestle for example they are currently organizing a bake sale/raffle with all proceedings going to Ukraine.

Yes

I would recommend Nestle as even though they are a big company your experience matters to them and the provide multiple avenues of support and is great place to learn of other colleagues and is a friendly environment that encourages you to try new things and step out of your comfort zone.

Advice i would provide to others who are looking to apply for the supply chain apprentice scheme at Nestle is to provide experience that backs up the skills they are listing that they have. For example, if you are promoting that you have great communication skills provide an example of where you have done this within a workplace, team sport, school or college.