RateMyPlacement’s guide to undergraduate placements & internships in Retail & FMCG
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Work & Industry Guide
Real Experiences
Hi guys, it's Chris here. Meet Marie. She's on Placement at Unilever this year. Find out what she's been up to, and what a typical student experience is like on Placement in the Retail & FMCG industry.
Also here in the Retail & FMCG Work & Industry Guide you can find information on some of the key-player companies, as well as jobs and reviews you may want to read through.
Marie at Unilever
- Experience
- Placement
- Company
- Unilever
- Job Title
- Supply Chain Academy Analyst
- Dates
- June 2011 – August 2011
- University
- Durham University
- Course
- Mathematics
Questions & Answers
- What was your project and where were you based?
I was based in Port Sunlight on the Wirral during my summer placement, working within the Supply Chain Academy (SCA). During my eight weeks I was given numerous projects, all relating to learning within the Supply Chain Management business area. One of my main projects involved working with people from all over the world, and collating data into a spreadsheet that could then be transferred into a pre-built scorecard. I also looked at improving the current reporting systems and making the reporting tools more user-friendly. I created training guides on using SCA reporting and also conducted an introductory Live Meeting Session on how to use the reporting tool.
- What were the biggest challenges and how did you tackle them?
Probably the biggest challenge I faced whilst working here was getting to grips with all the information I needed in order to complete my projects. The Supply Chain Academy works with many elements of the supply chain at a global level, and I found the Unilever intranet site incredibly helpful with this. But the best way to find out about things was just to ask - my colleagues were extremely helpful and always happy to answer any questions I had. With their help I now feel confident talking about the Academy and I have even taught some people about using the reporting on SCA.
- What did you learn?
Working in the Academy in a global role gave me real insight into the size of the business and the levels of communication that are needed. I also learned a lot about Unilever itself, from the company vision and ethics to people’s enthusiasm and enjoyment in working here. I’ve been told several times during my placement that once you work here working elsewhere is never the same and I can see why (and not just because I got free Ben and Jerry’s!).
- Did you enjoy it?
I thoroughly enjoyed working at Unilever and would definitely recommend it to anyone who has the chance to come and do a summer placement. My line manager was fantastic and was always there if I needed help. I also met several other summer placement students and graduates on the Unilever Future Leaders Programme (UFLP) whilst I was here, all of whom were incredibly good fun and always willing to give me advice if I needed it. Meeting lots of graduates on the UFLP made a real difference and gave me an insight into what working for Unilever on the UFLP could be like – it looks great! I also got to go to a tea factory, a soap factory, see the Chimp suits from the PG Tips adverts and eat free Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream; what more could you want from a Summer Placement?
Background
Retail
Industry overview
Being the largest private sector employer in the UK, retail is one of the most diverse and exciting industries graduates can go into. If you want to be challenged, get early responsibility, enjoy rapid progression opportunities and specialise in an area that interests you, it might just be the perfect fit.
The varied nature of retail means you can become an expert in a product area that really excites you, whether you have a passion for fashion, food or the latest electrical gadgets, you can indulge yourself by working with these products every day. In addition there are a variety of roles such as marketing, buying or merchandising which will allow you to really delve into your area of interest.
Retail is a growing sector, with an estimated 214,000 new jobs being created by 2017 on top of the 1.2 million positions which need to be filled as people leave or change jobs. It is an industry which is constantly evolving to meet changing customer habits and demands, meaning ambitious and forward-thinking people are constantly needed to drive the industry forward. For example in the last few years there has been a huge increase in online retailing, which require technologically savvy and creative employees to develop and market their businesses.
Many of the leading retailers offer graduate training programmes. The content of the programmes is as wide-ranging as the careers on offer and, although sections of the training may be mapped to higher qualifications, retailers concentrate on the specific skills needed for the future role. Even when in your role, up-skilling will be paramount to your development and retailers will ensure your skills are kept honed through on-going training and personal development.
For more information on retail careers visit www.skillsmartretail.com and www.nsaforretail.com
Fiction:
Retail does not pay well.
Fact:
The great opportunities in retail mean there is good money to be made. Managers of large stores can earn upwards of £40,000, whereas senior jobs roles in head office can have salaries in excess of £70,000. Retailers also tend to offer substantial staff discounts.
Fiction:
A job in retail involves just stacking selves and working on the checkout.
Fact:
From sourcing the next hit product to forecasting the financial future of the business, there are many different types of jobs in retail in lots of different departments.
Industry review:
You don’t have to complete a degree in retail to make a career in the industry; all you need are the right skills and attitude. Graduate programmes are very competitive and tend to be open to graduates of any discipline with a 2.2 or above. Employers will look for people who can demonstrate commercial awareness, motivation, excellent communication, good team working, problem-solving skills, a passion for the sector and previous work experience. Once working in retail there are a number of retail-specific qualifications employees can undertake to help you progress.
Jobs in Retail & FMCG
| Job Title | Company | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Information Systems Industrial Placement
Mars
Application deadline: 10th Feb 2012 |
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R&D – Chocolate Science & Technology Team Industrial Placement
Mars
Application deadline: 10th Feb 2012 |
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Knowledge Connections Industrial Placement 12 month Placement
Mars
Application deadline: 10th Feb 2012 |
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Commercial Effectiveness Industrial Placement
Mars
Application deadline: 29th Feb 2012 |
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Trainee Finance Analyst
TJX Europe
Application deadline: 29th Feb 2012 |
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Work Experience Videos Guides
We’ve teamed up with those employment experts at Career Player to ensure you get some cracking advice on finding your perfect placement or internship in Retail & FMCG.
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