Ask me a question!
What were the main 'career decision' milestones in your life so far?
I wanted to work for a company that had the same values as me and the Musgrave Graduate Programme was exactly what I needed and the best career decision I have made.
Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?
Former colleagues and family.
How did you go about getting your current job?
I went on college placement for 6 months as a product developer which really showed me what career path I could go down as my degree was very broad. This helped me gain experience in the food and drinks industry. I started a full-time job as an own brand analyst after college and then eventually apply for the Musgrave Graduate Programme.
Describe a typical day?
Buying, known as Trading within Musgrave, is very fast paced, and every day is different, from daily deadlines internally, to meetings with suppliers, focusing on a strong promotional plan for my category and driving sales as well as looking daily at commercials.
What are the main tasks and responsibilities?
- Supplier engagement around the product category I manageInvoicing
- work with sales and marketing to drive sales
- promotional and social media plans
- watching current trends
- Reviewing planograms for stores. A planogram is a schematic plan or drawing which is used for displaying merchandise so our retail partners can maximise sales
- Commercial targets and profitability
- Working on handbills, Big bets and Supplier Joint Business Plans. Big bets are strategic projects or initiatives that we believe will drive profits for all our stakeholders as well as providing us with a competitive advantage in our sector
- Invoicing
What are the main challenges?
Balancing all departments’ priorities.
What do you like most?
Working with new and exciting projects with suppliers such as exclusivity line.
Is there anything that isn't great?
Not taking time to reflect on your achievements
What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?
Teamwork, organisation, flexibility, adaptable, hard working.
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
Economics and Business have helped to have a commercial understanding.
What is your education to date?
BSC in Food marketing and Entrepreneurship in UCC.
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?
BIS in college as excel is very important. Food marketing and entrepreneurship is a very broad course, I got great experience in product development, commercial experience in accounting and business experience through economics and winning the University College Cork new food product innovation dragons’ den.
What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?
Graduating from the Musgrave graduate programme and becoming an Assistant Trading Manager in Spirits. I have launched products such as Graham Norton’s gin and Tanora gin. I developed relations with local Irish suppliers and getting exclusivity lines with distilleries as Ballykeefe and Clonakilty distillery.
What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?
I am a people person and work well in a team. Listening to others and giving your point of view is essential for the best outcome for all.
What is your dream job?
Trading Manager
Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?
Yes, I love what I do.
What advice would you give to someone considering this job?
Hard work, passion for your category, having a focus for what you want to achieve and keeping on top of new trends to really drive your area.
What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?
- Collaboration skills
- Interpersonal skills-
- Organisational skills
- Hard working
What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?
Working in a faced paced environment and with a team.
- Career Development?
- Current Job?
- Education and Training?
- Personal Qualities?
- Advice for Others?
