AMANDA SWENZEN - KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

What is your current role and what makes it exciting?

I am working as a Key Account Manager which means that I am the MDLZ contact person to some of our key customers. As a Key Account Manager, you are responsible for maintaining a great business relationship with your customer; understand their needs and challenges, supporting them and negotiate contracts and other agreements. I am working with some of our pure players within e-commerce and our quick commerce customers. There has been a rapid change in the e-Com and q-Com environment in Sweden during the last couple of years because of the pandemic. It is exciting to be a part of this e-Com and quick-commerce MDLZ journey, finding new business opportunities, be creative and build up the relationships with our customers.

What personal qualities or skills make you successful in your position?

I have not even been in this position for a year yet so daily I am learning new things and work on developing my qualities to become a great Key Account Manager. But I believe a skill I benefit from is being service-oriented; I always want the best for my customers always trying to be proactive and solve problems showing up on the way. Since I am pretty new in my role, I also think I benefit from being curious and eager to learn new things. Another thing is my creative side, this might not be the most typical skill for a Key Account Manager. But I think especially this is good since I am working within e-Com and q-Com which is a growing environment when you need to find new ways of working.

How has your career developed at MDLZ?

This is my third year at MDLZ, I started as a contractor in the Category Planning Team 2019 as a Customer Activation Specialist. I was working with different customer activation like demos, materials and trade fairs. I was then offered a permanent position at MDLZ in the same role and worked in total 2 years in that position. Then in June 2021 I got the opportunity to join the Key Account Manager Team and this is where I am today.

What kind of project, assignments have you done outside of the traditional career moves that helped you further your career?

Something that really helped me to further my career and to develop myself within my current role has been to be a part of the mentor program in Sweden as a mentee. My mentor has been a great support, inspiration and source of knowledge. She has given me advise on what to think about in my role, what skills I should develop, key persons within my new role and so much more. Just to have someone to share your thought with and get a little bit of guidance within your career is so helpful. I believe this is a great opportunity we have at MDLZ and I really recommend everyone to participate in the program.

How do you describe the culture at MDLZ

I believe one of the most amazing things with MDLZ is how much all the employees love our brands and products! This really set the ground for the culture that we are all working for the same goal so be able to offer people our amazing snacks around the world. Overall, I think MDLZ has a very positive climate; fun, open and flexible even though we are working in a fast-paced environment every day and all year around. MDLZ also offers the opportunity for employees to grow if they want to. Take different learning courses, develop skills, try new roles, and change departments.

And finally, what is your favorite MDLZ brand?

Of course, I have to say Marabou, our Swedish pride! I remember when I was a little girl and went to the North in Sweden to go skiing... My dad always brought a Marabou Fruit and almond tablet and each time we took the ski lift to the top I would get a chocolate piece. This has become a ski tradition for me, and I still bring this specific Marabou tablet when I go skiing today.