Customer Business Manager Review

I am the customer business manager for the high street and travel looking after the food, dairy and coffee category. I have to manage the relationship with the buyers and collaborate with them to get new listings in stores and also work with them to launch shopper campaigns in stores to drive visibility of our products.

I have learnt a huge variety of skills. My people skills and developing collaborative relationships has hugely developed. I have learnt how to manage expectations and learnt how to effectively negotiate with experienced buyers in order to get the best outcome for both of us. I have also had the opportunity to develop my presentation skills as I grow in confidence with public speaking.

I love this programme! I think it is the best way to learn on the job whilst also getting an education at the same time. You are able to get stuck in with real life experiences and see how your job has an impact on the wider business and that is really rewarding.

I believe the programme is really well structured. There is support within Nestle regarding our studies, and everyone is aligned on how much time we must spend doing university work to ensure that we keep up to date. We attend university every 6-10 weeks for 4 days and then have 3 month check ups with a work based coach to ensure are all aligned.

I feel so grateful for all the support I receive from my managers and even those I work closely with. If I ever require some extra context or information about a university assignment, so many people are willing to help which is so warming to know the support is there regarding university and also the apprenticeship in general.

We have catch ups with our manager and a work based coach from the university to check in with us on our progress to see if we have any concerns but mostly just to check we are all aligned on upcoming opportunities within work and how we can relate that back to university and use it in assignment.

The part I love most about working and doing university at the same time is that they go hand in hand. I am able to attend university and then come back to work on a Monday morning and immediately put that into practice, it helps me to better understand the processes within nestle that I may not see in my everyday job which really benefits me.

Nestle is great for extra curricular activities! There is a sports and social club which you can sign up to, but where you go and do activity with those in different teams. It is a great way to meet those you may not necessarily interact with in your day job but have an interest in their area or just want to get to know them!

Yes

I think Nestle is an amazing company to work for! The culture of nestle is a huge part of why I love it, everyone is so friendly and there are so many support systems. The working benefits of the company are a bonus too, with flexible working, flex days, and so many more benefits!

Be yourself! Try to stay calm during the interviews and the whole process and just think about what you could bring to the company! I would also research the company and see if you are interested in any of the initiatives they have, the interviews and Q and A sessions are a great chance to find out more about those areas!