Testimonial: "As a KEDGE graduate, I’m now taking part in Unilever’s Graduate Programme".

The Graduate Programme, a multi-year recruitment and training method, is becoming increasingly popular in France. Open to young, high-level graduates with five years of higher education, generally from business and engineering schools, Graduate Programmes aim to find profiles of those with high potential.

Amandine Rivasseau, a 2017 graduate from the Grande Ecole Programme at KEDGE, is now in UNILEVER’s Graduate Programme within UNILEVER, offers us her testimony.

If you would like to know more about Graduate Programmes in general, read our article: KEDGE: LE GRADUATE PROGRAM POURQUOI FAIRE CE CHOIX? (in French) (KEDGE: THE GRADUATE PROGRAM WHY MAKE THIS CHOICE?)

Hello Amandine, please briefly tell us about your time at KEDGE?

I started KEDGE’s at Grande Ecole Programme in parallel admission, doing a Master with a two-year work-study. I worked for Nestlé Waters in its Global Procurement department for the packaging categories.

For me, this experience was the deciding factor. I grew up in a cosmopolitan environment surrounded by expatriates which made me realise to what point this aspect is necessary for my future positions. The teams there quickly put their trust in me and was put in charge of the factories located in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East for all purchases of plastic caps. At first glance, this component seems to be fairly basic, but make no mistake, it’s very technical in form and composition. I’ve really enjoyed developing technical skills on the subject.

At the same time, I took advantage of the courses given at KEDGE in Supply Chain shore up my knowledge and skills in this expanded universe. I think Procurement is one of the functions of Supply.

Finally, during my last year, I left to do a semester at Hanyang University in Seoul, which was a genuine immersion between the West and the Far East. It was an extraordinary experience. This country is full of paradoxes. The American influence is omnipresent but they still keep their own traditions.

Why did you choose to join the UNILEVER Graduate Programme after you finished your studies?

I got interested in the Graduate Programme because it seemed to be the best compromise as to what I aspired to. I wanted to experience other roles in Supply Chain, go to the factory, and move abroad. Most graduate programmes offer these types of opportunities.

I always say that graduates are the continuity of the school. I compare our one-year rotations (missions) to internships because we have real responsibilities while having a permanent contract and all that comes with it, such as salary, holidays, and various benefits. Also, we’re graduates from Supply, Marketing, Sales, and Finance programmes. It's a good mix. You make friends. But it's also a real advantage for what we face every day. They are our first network and help us make progress on certain points more quickly. We give each other advice, contacts etc.

How does the selection phase work? What did you find difficult?

The selection phase is quite long, about 2 months, but it’s worth it. It consists of three or four highpoints and isn’t based on your CV.

The steps:

1. Online games developed with Harvard - Objective: test your personality >> do you take risks?
2. Video interviews, 2 or 3
3. Recruitment day at headquarters in teams of 6
4. Online preparation a week prior with teammates

I found the video interviews quite difficult because you’re alone in front of a camera and don't have time to reflect on your answers. It's hard to know if you’re off-topic or not.

For the rest, I loved it because for the first time you’re not just asked to whip out your CV. You’re put in an actual situation!

What do you think the advantages are for young KEDGE graduates to enrol in a Graduate Programme like the one at UNILEVER?

It's an adventure! You will surprise and discover yourself. You grow professionally, but most of all, you grow personally.

Looking back, when I look at what I've achieved over the last two and a half years, I'm proud of myself. I have gained in maturity, and have met a multitude of people with such different profiles between the factory, the French headquarters, and soon in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In fact, I spent a year at the Alsa factory in Nancy. I planned productions and was in charge of seven lines. I then went to work in the customer service logistics department at UNILEVER France and was assigned the following customers: Casino, Monoprix, Franprix, and Leader Price. In a month, I'll be leaving for South Africa to work in the Ice-Cream planning department, and I'll also be in charge of a project involving the redesign of material and immaterial flows in the Ice-Cream category.

What do you aspire to do soon?

I currently lead a team of two people in functional hierarchy only. I take a lot of pleasure in knowing how to thrive through the results of my team. It’s very stimulating.

I hope to become a Manager of a supply team when I return to France in a year's time if a position becomes available.

Are you interested in the Graduate Programme? You can also read our article: 12 BONNES RAISONS DE FAIRE UN GRADUATE PROGRAM CHEZ METRO APRÈS KEDGE? (in French) (12 GOOD REASONS FOR DOING A GRADUATE PROGRAMME AT METRO AFTER LEAVING KEDGE)

Partner Supply chain Unilever Young graduates