My name is Keli Toseafa, I graduated from the University of Surrey where I completed an undergraduate degree in Law and an International Relations MSc. After I left Surrey, I worked for The Home Office and a Political Consultancy firm for a total of two year, before joining Pernod Ricard on their Commercial Graduate Scheme in 2016.
What is your role and how long have you been at Pernod Ricard?
In my current role, I am a Customer Account Manager, responsible for managing Pernod Ricard’s Wine portfolio within Morrisons. I started as an Account Executive in Field Sales on Pernod Ricard Commercial Graduate scheme at the time and moved through various channels within the business over the 6 years I have been here.
What inspired you to apply for this role/Pernod Ricard?
Whilst my background is in Law and Politics, I have always had a keen interest in Sales and Marketing. I really enjoy working with people and using my personal skills to build relationships and work towards a common goal. I was drawn to the entrepreneurial spirit of the company, as well as the flexibility the role offered. I was also a huge fan of Havana Club Rum which is one of the brands in the Pernod Ricard portfolio, so it was a win all around!
What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?
Mastering the art of negotiation-it always felt so mysterious to me but the coaching we have received from the business has been revolutionary.
What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?
A ‘normal’ day involves working on promotional plans, working with our Customer Marketing, Brand and E-Commerce teams to put together plans to drive our rate of sale in store and speaking to my buyer about product performance, our innovation pipeline, or seasonal promotional activity we can be involved in. I also spend some time in Morrisons stores, seeing checking promotional compliance and generally seeing what is happening in the BWS category.
What do you find most interesting with the sector you’re in?
The variety definitely! No two days ever really look the same; FMCG has so many different layers and it’s amazing how much the nuances changes between the categories too. Working in the drinks industry, especially in Grocery as a CAM, you can see the process from start to finish. Over the years I have learnt so much about Shipping, manufacturing, product development… the list goes on! Its also satisfying to see the tangible impact of the work you do, whether that’s gaining a new listing or watching a marketing campaign go live.
What is the culture like?
Honesty, the culture at Pernod Ricard is unlike any organisation I have ever worked in. A lot of time and effort is invested into your personal development, there are lots of social activities spearheaded by employees, opportunities to volunteer etc. The spirit of togetherness and hosting and ensuring everybody has a good time is really embedded in the DNA of Pernod Ricard and it’s a quality that is genuinely encouraged and lived out. Since we moved into our new offices, we also have a beautiful space where brands host takeovers- it’s a fantastic way to catch up with colleagues and find out what the brands have been up to and showcase their hard work.
Have you had the opportunity to get involved in any activities outside work?
Definitely! We are encouraged to get involved in activities outside of our roles. I’m a D&I Champion and work closely with HR and our Executive Committee to host internal events on relevant topics such as International Women’s Day and Black History Month.
How did you find the application process?
My application process was managed by Discovery Gradates and they were extremely encouraging throughout the whole process. I went through 2 telephone interviews and an assessment centre before being invited for a Final Assessment & Interview at the Pernod Ricard offices in London.
Finally, any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at Pernod Ricard?
My main tip, (and it sounds cliche) is just be yourself. Let your personality shine through, play to your strengths and be confident in your experience.