Ross, Customer Business Manager - Nestle 1st Choice, Nestlé UK
In my penultimate year at university I decided that I wanted to try a sales role, working with products and brands I could relate to. After looking through the careers website I found an opportunity to go on Nestlé’s 10-week paid Summer Internship. Once I'd been accepted onto the Internship, I joined the Customer Marketing team in Croydon.
This unit was responsible for the strategic selling plans across Nestlé's Hot Beverages, including Nescafé, Nesquick and Coffee Mate. I was charged with a project that looked at opportunities to grow both our coffee and our hot chocolate brands. At the end of my Internship I presented my findings to a group of senior leaders in the business. This experience led me to me being offered a place on the Nestlé Graduate Scheme.
Today, I’m responsible for managing the Nestlé Food Business across our High Street customers. Internally, I work with the Food Category & Marketing teams to bring to life our brand plans within budget. This involves collaborating with them on a number of issues, including risks and opportunities. I also manage weekly sales so that they’re aligned to forecasts and long-term planning.
Working within Sales means building relationships with retailers, bringing new products to market, and working through creative plans to grow business. The behaviour of retailers and shoppers is changing all the time. So we have to meet their needs with excellent brand propositions in what is an intensely competitive environment.
Ross graduated from The University of Durham with a BA in Business.
