Commercial graduate — Charlotte Phillips

Charlotte studied for a BSc in business management. After taking some time out to travel post graduation, she applied for a place on the Dunbia graduate scheme and now works at the Cross Hands site in Wales

Why did you decide on a career in retail?

I'm interested in the dynamic nature of retail. The fast-paced environment, customer interactions, and the opportunity to influence business outcomes appeals to me.

Why did you want to work for Dunbia?

When applying for the role, I researched the company, and it became evident that the organisation looks after its employees and provides them with opportunities to grow and develop. Dunbia has a reputation as a leading meat supplier and their innovation and sustainability focus really appealed to me.

How did you get your job?

I took six months out after graduating from university to travel. I was eager to set something up for my return, preferably a graduate scheme.

I came across Dunbia on LinkedIn and after researching further, I decided to apply. After a discussion on the phone with a member of the HR team, I was invited to a virtual interview. Following this, I was asked to visit the Cross Hands site to meet the commercial team in person. I was also given a tour around the factory to give me further insight into the role. I found the whole process smooth, all my questions were answered and everything was explained to me thoroughly.

What tasks do you carry out on a typical day?

Typical jobs I carry out day-to-day include:

• forecasting
• price changes
• supply updates
• promo planning.

I am also involved in meetings with the wider team on site, as well as frequent customer catch ups and updates.

Another part of my role includes travelling to the customers' head offices in London for product submissions, quarterly reviews and general catch ups.

What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

The best part of my job is having the opportunity to continue to learn and grow. The support and trust I receive from my team allows me to learn and expand my knowledge every day.

What are the challenges?

Trying to balance customer demands, supply chain issues and changing market trends can be challenging. However, I do enjoy exploring different solutions to these challenges and feel it is great for my development and learning.

What type of person would suit a career in retail?

As a retail graduate you have to be open to change. You are often faced with new challenges and situations, so it's important to be able to respond appropriately and remain flexible in your decision making.

What are your career ambitions?

There are so many opportunities with Dunbia. My goal is to gain as much experience as possible, continue to expand my knowledge, and increase my responsibility to eventually progress into a managerial position.

What support do you receive at Dunbia to help you achieve your goals?

I feel supported within my team and never have any unanswered questions. I also have regular meetings with my graduate mentor, as well as with members of the HR team. Regular feed back sessions help me to build my confidence and continue to grow. 

What advice can you give to others who want to work in retail?

• Network and build relationships within the industry.
• Be open and embrace change to stay up-to-date with industry trends.
• Get stuck in. Take every opportunity presented to you.

Find out more

• Discover more about Dunbia.
• Search for graduate jobs in retail.
• Learn more about retail graduate schemes.
• Find out what the retail sector has to offer.