I’m Alex – I graduated from Oxford university after studying languages. I’ve got a pretty varied background career-wise – I’ve done some sales/marketing internships and other roles in different spheres like charity comms and teaching.
What is your role and how long have you been at Pernod Ricard?
I’m a graduate BDE, which means I’m in currently in a sales role on the commercial graduate programme at Pernod Ricard. I’ve been in role for 2 months – time flies!
What inspired you to apply for this role/Pernod Ricard?
There are three main reasons – the sector, the strength of the brands and the company ethos. Firstly, the drinks industry is a really exciting place to be. Looking into the future, not all industries will survive the coming decades, but the beverage industry looks set to thrive. Secondly, Pernod has one of the strongest portfolios out there and, when choosing somewhere to work, it was important out me that I genuinely loved the brands that I’d be selling. Thirdly, I’d heard from friends that the company culture at Pernod Ricard is top notch and that’s held true – Pernod truly doesn’t take itself too seriously whilst focusing intently on developing you in your career.
What has been the single most important thing you learnt so far in your job?
Prior to the role, I was slightly daunted by the prospect of conducting business conversations – I was sure I’d get something wrong. I’ve now learnt that business doesn’t have to be formal to be successful – building rapport is highly important. At its heart, my job is about making friends, maintaining relationships and showing people you care about their business.
What would a ‘normal’ day look like for someone in your role?
It’s a bit of a cliché, but no two days are the same. Usually, I do my admin in the morning and then head out into trade at around 11am. I meeting with managers at Italian restaurants in the mornings, speaking with them about building a spritz menu and activating our brands in their venues. I spend the later afternoon following up on what I’ve said I’ll do in those meetings – ordering POS and stock, printing menus etc.
What do you find most interesting with the sector you’re in?
I’ve always had a keen interest in what’s ‘cool’ to drink in different parts of the world – I always keep an eye out for what people are serving in different countries or even just across the UK. From a commercial perspective, seeing how these consumer trends play out in numbers is fascinating. From a brand/marketing perspective, I love seeing the how brands are activated to push them into the market. Choosing the right venue, point-of-sale, time of year and celebrity ambassadors around the spirit of a brand is a complicated process and I’m interested in seeing all the work that goes into marketing campaigns behind the scenes.
What is the culture like at Pernod Ricard?
Highly supportive and highly fun. There’s a real team spirit at Pernod – everyone fulfils their different roles and there’s a mutual understanding that all sectors of the business are vital for our success. There’s also been a lot of exposure to more senior members of the business early on and they seem genuinely interested in what you have to say, even as a new starter.
Have you had the opportunity to get involved in any activities outside work?
In the few weeks that I’ve been here we grads have been offered sports, bartending experiences, distillery tours and much more. So, yes, activities besides work are very much on offer. The social life that you build with your fellow grads and colleagues at Pernod is one of the best parts of the job.
How did you find the application process?
A lot more relaxed than other job applications. During the assessment centre, I found that I managed to show a lot more of my personality than I had in other interviews, and the day ended up passing by in a blur. It sounds like a lie, but the group task was truly fun. I left the day feeling like I’d given all that I could, because I’d been calm enough to put my best foot forwards. You get a sense of a company through its recruitment process, and Pernod’s definitely convinced me that it would be a good fit for me.
Finally, any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at Pernod Ricard?
Show curiosity about the business – you’re not expected to know everything and asking pertinent questions reflects just as well!