by Callum Rodney
Customer Development IP
At Unilever
Placement (10 Months+)
Business
How has your placement helped you in your current role?
My placement has given me a great commercial understanding that I have been able into bring into my UFLP role, together with a broad experience in leading cross-functional teams across various projects. I have been able to carry over a strong grounding in strategic thinking, people leadership and purposeful development.
What has been the highlight of your placement?
A big highlight has been taking the lead on designing impactful up-skilling programmes for students of diverse backgrounds, following a proposal to engage with young communities and drive change in the gap existing between race diversity and up and coming talent. I was able to do this through our Empower network, a Team of Unilever employees passionate about racial equity with an ambition to champion change both internally and externally. Unilever’s all about building your purpose, and this for me has been a privilege to act on.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you tackle them?
My biggest challenges to date came from negotiating customer Joint Business Plans across our Nutrition and Ice Cream business. Learning to handle buyer objections and approach discussions with different tactics was a huge learning curve for me, and one which has built skills that I will carry for life. Negotiating plans to a point of agreement in which genuine growth is achieved for Unilever and our customers has been a phenomenal experience.
What 3 words best describe your Unilever experience?
Insightful, stretching, purposeful.
What advice do you have for any future Unilever employees?
Throw yourself in at the deep end where possible, always ask for more where you feel you need it and always put yourself out of your comfort zone! Be sure to connect with as many people in the business as possible, be curious and be authentic!
