Chartered Management Degree Apprentice (Nestlé Food Marketing) Review

I have had various roles since starting on the CMDA scheme at Nestlé. In my current role, I manage Digital Marketing for the food division. This means that I manage our website, e-retail, CRM and data collection and much more. I also look after brand marketing for our world foods range including sauces, seasonings and noodles.

I have learnt so many skills including communication skills, relationship building, marketing, sales and more. You learn the majority of skills on the job but Nestlé also provides formal training including presenting with impact, 4C selling, managing in the matrix and more. You also gain skills whilst at university on block release weeks.

The programme is very enjoyable. The work is very varied and you are always challenged. Nestlé provide a number of opportunities for you to socialise and meet with colleagues both on scheme but also within your teams for example Christmas celebrations, summer conferences, training events, team days, team building events and more.

The programme is well organised and gives you the opportunity to try working in a number of different areas including supply chain, marketing, sales and CDT. This means that you can gain experience across a number of different functions before deciding which one you would like to specialise in once off scheme.

I receive a lot of support from my employer including a weekly check in with my line manager, good communication with the academy team at Nestle as well as check ins with your HR BP as and when required. I often feel challenged but not overwhelmed. Overall, Nestlé offer a good level of support.

Sheffield Hallam University provides a good level of support to enable me to complete my degree. It is nice to be able to attend SHU for our training weeks as this means you can get lots of face to face time with your tutors. You are expected to complete approx 6 assessed assignments a year.

The degree matches up with work quite well. It has been useful learning about the various strategic models such as SWOT analysis before then being involved in completing them on the Maggi brand. You also learn a number of wider business concepts that you would not necessarily have the opportunity to learn in your day to day role for example HR concepts.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in extra curricular activities for example I attended the IFE event at the Excel centre last month. I have also been involved in campus team events, was invited to celebrate the CMI anniversary at Parliament, attended an exclusive Superman screening in collaboration with Vodafone and more.

Yes

Nestlé is a great and caring employer with a number of benefits including excellent annual leave, progression opportunities and more. The scheme allows you to try a number of different job roles so is perfect if you are coming into it a little unsure of what you would like to do long term.

If you are applying to Nestlé, I would advise you to research the company, learn more about our brands and operations. I would advise you to be curious and question why something is being done. The last piece of advise I would give you is to go ahead and apply!