Global Procurement Assistant, Fragrances, Home Care Review
at Unilever
Placement (10 Months+)
Procurement
Port Sunlight
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
3.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
1/5
-
Overview of Role
3.5/5
-
Skills Development
2.5/5
-
Support and Guidance
4/5
-
Company Culture
3.5/5
-
Overall Experience
4/5
-
Future Career Prospects
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.
Working as part of the global team you will learn how to buy the best fragrances, at the best price, and with the lowest impact to our planet.
Involved in supplier negotiations, business tenders and cost-saving opportunities through problem solving and critical thinking.
Alongside your global role, lead of Europe Home Care portfolio, implementing our global strategy.
Drive our Sustainability agenda in fragrances with R&D, as we work towards 100% biodegradable products by 2030
Involved in supplier negotiations, business tenders and cost-saving opportunities through problem solving and critical thinking.
Alongside your global role, lead of Europe Home Care portfolio, implementing our global strategy.
Drive our Sustainability agenda in fragrances with R&D, as we work towards 100% biodegradable products by 2030
Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
As lead of a regions entire portfolio a lot of the responsibility was mine during my placement. I am responsible for keeping in the loop with multiple teams across the organisation so I can support and keep my global procurement team up to date with the latest on European projects etc
Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was
1/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including XLOOKUP, pivot tables etc
Proficiency in Microsoft Power BI
Negotiation Training
Understanding exchange rates and inflation mitigation
Understanding fragrance technology and consumer testing
Creation of legal contracts
Recruitment process for replacement team members
Managing contracts and pricing
Proficiency in Microsoft Power BI
Negotiation Training
Understanding exchange rates and inflation mitigation
Understanding fragrance technology and consumer testing
Creation of legal contracts
Recruitment process for replacement team members
Managing contracts and pricing
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
3/5
How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?
3/5
How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?
4/5
Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development
4/5
Support and Guidance
How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?
First month of placement is a handover onboarding period with the previous years placement student, this guidance was very useful so you werent alone
Once a week I had a 121 with my manager, covering how I was finding the placement and updating her on my work agendas each week. During this I could raise queries, ask for more support etc
Once a week I had a 121 with my manager, covering how I was finding the placement and updating her on my work agendas each week. During this I could raise queries, ask for more support etc
How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?
3/5
How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?
2/5
Company Culture
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
Company culture is definitely very present, with lots of whole company calls and sessions that promote a lot of Unilever's purpose. Although this is definitely present, in the location I was based this culture was not felt in person at the office, the atmosphere is quiet and unmotivated. I have heard this is not the case at the global hubs like London
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the social opportunities?
3/5
How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
4/5
How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
4/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
I enjoyed my placement a lot.
Although I know I do not want to continue in this field the skills/experiences from the role, especially with the company Unilever name linked to it, will look impressive on my CV.
The enjoyment was very variable throughout the year, especially as the work load varied a lot week to week. Busy weeks were fun and motivating, quiet weeks were long and boring.
Although I know I do not want to continue in this field the skills/experiences from the role, especially with the company Unilever name linked to it, will look impressive on my CV.
The enjoyment was very variable throughout the year, especially as the work load varied a lot week to week. Busy weeks were fun and motivating, quiet weeks were long and boring.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on your placement / internship
4/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
3/5
Future Career Prospects
Please rate the future employment prospects at Unilever
4/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Unilever to a friend?
Yes
What advice would you give to others applying to Unilever
Research the company well, especially regarding its purpose and how they align with yours
Research the role thoroughly
Improve your basic skills on key platforms such as excel, powerpoint etc you will get additional training on these but does not take long to learn the beginner ropes
Utilise any previous work experience you have to talk about your skills in action
Research the role thoroughly
Improve your basic skills on key platforms such as excel, powerpoint etc you will get additional training on these but does not take long to learn the beginner ropes
Utilise any previous work experience you have to talk about your skills in action
