What is your role and how long have you been at Pernod Ricard?
I joined Pernod Ricard in October 2022 through the Commercial Graduate Scheme. My role has evolved since my start, but I am currently part of the London field sales team, as a Business Development Executive for Southeast London, managing a variety of accounts in the Independent Free Trade.
On the Commercial Graduate Scheme, my responsibilities mirrored those of other field sales team members, with additional training and support. This phase involved concentrating on Italian Spritz menus using Malfy Gin & Italicus. Subsequently, I rotated through various placements, including roles within the Strategy & Transformation team and the off-trade customer marketing division. These experiences offered valuable insight into the broader workings of the business.
What inspired you to apply for this role?
I have long been passionate about the alcohol industry; I even based my dissertation on the topic! When I discovered the Commercial Graduate Scheme on Bright Network, I immediately felt it would be a great opportunity for me, and I eagerly applied. My enthusiasm for the industry and my appreciation for brands such as Monkey 47 and Malfy Gin made the decision straightforward. I believed a customer-facing role aligned well with my personality, making me a good fit for the position. Pernod Ricard's esteemed reputation for its culture was another compelling factor, and my experience has affirmed this!
What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?
One of the most valuable things I have learnt in this job is how to flex your energy levels and personality style in various situations and with various stakeholders. Everyone has different styles of communicating, so it is key to tailor my approach and proposal to fit their needs, understanding this has taught me a lot about forming and maintaining relationships. This has continuously been a key segment of our training, and something that all colleagues learn about throughout their career.
What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?
Field Sales work offers a varied experience every day. I typically begin my day at home with administrative tasks until around 10:30 am, such as reviewing contract proposals, following up on meetings, designing and printing menus, and placing orders for point-of-sale materials. I then head out to visit approximately seven accounts per day.
These visits may involve pre-arranged meetings to discuss contracts or activations, exploring opportunities to integrate our brands into bars and identifying potential collaborative projects. We also dedicate time each month to team meetings, where we review the past month’s performance, as well as training sessions focus on sales psychology, the sales process, and strategies for engaging with varying energy levels.
What do you find most interesting with the sector you’re in?
For me, one of the most interesting aspects of the alcohol industry is the sheer volume of knowledge there is to uncover about wine and spirits, as well as the ongoing evolution within the industry. As mentioned previously, my deep interest in the alcohol industry even centered my dissertation topic. It has been fascinating to observe the shift in market trends from the surge in gin consumption a few years ago to the growing emphasis on tequila and rum categories, along with an increased appreciation for crafted spirits.
This constant evolution captivates me, particularly because it highlights the dynamic nature of the industry. By monitoring market trends, we can identify seasonal variations in consumer preferences, enabling us to tailor our offerings more effectively to meet our customers' needs and expectations.
How did you find the application process?
The application process with Pernod Ricard was the best experience I’ve had when applying to jobs! Although the process may have seemed daunting at first, I found each stage very engaging, and everyone was extremely welcoming and helpful throughout.
The assessment centre was a real highlight, coming into the office and seeing where we could be working provided a thorough feel for the welcoming company culture, I felt at ease straight away. Being able to view the full portfolio we could be working with was very exciting, it made me want the job even more!
Finally, any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at Pernod Ricard?
First and foremost, I recommend embracing curiosity and asking questions. Additionally, research the core values of the business and see how you would fit in with the culture and objectives and Pernod Ricard. Most importantly, let your creativity shine, be convivial & be yourself!