Supply Chain Industry Placement Review

My Global Planning Industrial Placement is revolved around the Beauty & Wellbeing Business Group. Working on Brand Innovations such as Sunsilk and Vaseline to change the packaging or formulation of the product. Creating a resilience plan for the highest turnover products, to ensure the smooth sailing of production. Designing and creating Brand Portfolios displaying the current identity, and the future Innovation of the specific Brand. The Placement has allowed me to experience varied aspects of work.

Throughout the Placement, both my technical and non-texhnical skills have drastically improved. Working with a lot of data, my Excel skills have improved immensely, becoming more familiar with the more challenging functions. Regarding Technical Skills, I learnt how to use Power BI, and now I can create advanced reports with fluctuating filters. Working with such an experienced team, my professional conduct has improved. Interacting with colleagues who set excellent examples of good workplace behaviour, I have be able to learn how to carry myself in the office.

From almost day 1, Unilever treat you as an equal. My team made me feel as if I was a traditional employee, and not on a 12 month contract. With this in mind, my Line-Manager gave me a lot of responsibility, challenging and testing me throughout. Being involved in a multitude of differing projects of high importance, it directly displays the level of organisational trust Unilever has. Allowing a Placement Student to be so involved, goes a long way in experiencing an Authentic Industrial Placement Programme.

My Line-Manger was always there for me when I wanted to catch up or have a discussion. Connecting with him on a weekly basis, I felt as if I was very much supported throughout the process. Unilever stress the importance of Mentors, and recommend all colleagues to get one, and connect with them. I had an experienced mentor figure in the team, and drastically benefitted from his advise. I regularly practiced delivering presentations to both my mentor and manager, and have improved based-upon their feedback.

Unilever puts a big stress on Purpose and Sustainability. I believe this is directly reflected in the Port Sunlight workplace, as these priorities as so embedded into Unilever as a company. The office has a wide range of workspaces, with differing furniture, decor and lighting. Lever House is a Level 2 Listed Building, and is historical in the Unilever story. This timeless theme is apparent throughout the building, as the interior is more modern, but has snippets and snapshots of the original Lever House.

This placement has really given be an insight into ethical yet profitable business. Unilever is a multi-national market leader, and yet still prioritises ideologies such as Sustainabile Development Goals. I have loved the Supply Chain Placement, and I would love the opportunity to continue my Unilever journey post-graduation.

Yes

Be open-minded, as you do not know what you might enjoy until you try it. Be a sponge for the first few weeks, trying to take in as much information as you possibly can. Be genuine in the workplace; Unilever is an Authentic organisation and deserves real employees to continue making 'Sustainability common Place.'