Joao, Supply Chain Graduate Trainee

Supply Chain

1. What's your background? What subjects did you study, and where?

I studied Chemical Engineering at UFRGS (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul) in Port Alegre in Southern Brazil. There's a petro-chemical complex near to the city, so even at school, that was the direction I saw myself going in. Luckily it was a subject I was good at, as well as interested in!

2. Can you give us a quick snapshot of your career so far?

I am ten months into the RB graduate development programme. As part of my degree I completed two internships: one at the petro-chemical plant where I focused on research and development and the other on a Petrobras oil refinery where I looked at production planning and control.

When the RB opportunity came up, I realized FMCG was the right place for my skills. I've already been involved in some very real projects. Specialising in supply chain operations, I've been working on SKU rationalization, deliveries lead time reduction and factory optimization amongst other things.

3. What do you think is the single thing that has driven your career? What made you choose your professional specialism, and what made you choose FMCG?

I chose FMCG because of the speed at which things happen. It's dynamic and a much faster pace than many other industries I know of. I love the variety that it offers, especially working in supply chain where you get to deal with colleagues from a lot of other functions as well as our customers. I carefully chose RB after my degree because they offer flexibility, freedom and the opportunity to be yourself.

4. What do you love about working in FMCG?

FMCG never stands still – which means I'm always learning. I love the fact that no two days are the same and that I'm gaining experience in a number of different areas and mixing with a lot of different people. It's a very positive environment where you're encouraged to give your opinions and be heard – regardless of what position you hold. Here in supply chain I'm managing problems and making some pretty big decisions, which is quite an achievement for someone so new to an organization.

5. What one thing do you think FMCG has given you (in terms of your career) that you wouldn't have had in a different sector?

Already the breadth of experience that I'm gaining is far beyond what I would have had in pure chemical engineering. It's a more complex job than I'd anticipated. I'm dealing with real supply chain issues, but I've been given the freedom to develop my own way, to form my own opinions and come up with ideas and solutions.

6. How fast has your career moved? Do you think it's easy to progress quickly and easily in your field?

Ten months into the two-year training program and I'm already appreciating how fast things can happen in Reckitt Benckiser. At the moment I'm gaining a solid all round knowledge of supply chain and all it entails, but I know that the opportunities for progression here are very real and I'm excited about what that means for me and my career. Already I am seeing the results of my project work and that's very rewarding.

7. What kind of person do you think will succeed in the FMCG industry

I think that you have to have the intellectual capacity to identify issues and be quick witted enough to sort them out quickly. You definitely need to be able to think on your feet and have well developed communication skills – since starting in this role I have been responsible for liaising with people right across the supply chain, including our customers. That's a really important role, as they expect you to represent Reckitt Benckiser professionally and knowledgeably. It means you've got to be a quick learner. It's different every single day here. so if you like routine it's probably not going to be for you.

8. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing FMCG in the future – for your business area and for FMCG as a whole?

For supply chain the challenge will be to reduce costs whilst improving the levels of customer service we offer at the same time. I call it the Supply Chain Chess Game. For FMCG on the whole, it'll be ever increasing competition and only those who can continue to innovate and create new variants will survive. It's constant pressure to stay on top – but that's part of what makes FMCG such a vibrant and exciting place to work. Nothing stands still.

9. What single thing would you say to persuade someone to consider a career in FMCG?

If you like a challenge this is the place to be!

10. What do you want to be doing in five years' time?

The only certainty I have is that I still want to be here at Reckitt Benckiser – there's truly no other company I'd rather work for. I'm really enjoying my time in supply chain but I know that the opportunities out there are endless – and completely in my hands. At RB anything is possible and I'm looking forward to what the future holds.

If you are interested in finding out more about a career at Reckitt Benckiser, please visit their website or read their employee blogs.