Heather Mallett’s Journey at Mondelēz International

Friday, September 5, 2024

Can you share your career journey within Mondelēz International, specifically how you transitioned from a graduate role in Supply Chain (UK) to your current role in Category Planning (Sweden)?

I began my career in the UK & Ireland Customer Service & Logistics (CS&L) Graduate Scheme at Mondelēz International. This program provided an invaluable opportunity to work across various roles in Supply Chain and Manufacturing, offering both breadth of experience and the chance to build a fantastic network of colleagues. During this time, I discovered my passion for people management. After completing the scheme, I took on the role of Customer Service Manager and soon led a business transformation initiative to create a new Order Fulfillment team.

An exciting opportunity then arose to move to Stockholm as the Nordic Demand Planning Lead. Always eager to seize new opportunities, I said yes and soon found myself living in Sweden!

Two years later, I decided to broaden my functional experience with a move to the Commercial business. I secured the role of Senior Perfect Point of Sales Manager Nordics, where I was able to add significant value by leveraging my Supply Chain experience. This transition highlighted the benefits of switching functions and the wealth of knowledge to be gained. Since then, I’ve progressed within Category Planning, first as Nordic Sales Excellence Manager, working on various sales initiatives including Revenue Growth Management (RGM). More recently, I’ve taken on the role of Customer Category Development Manager. This newly created position and team in Sweden has brought me even closer to our customers and channels—something I’m truly passionate about!

What motivated your move to Sweden?

Working abroad was always something in the back of my mind; I just wasn’t sure when or where! That said, I would never have imagined it would be Sweden. But when the role of Nordic Demand Planning Lead came up, and I was asked if I was interested, the opportunity presented itself! I liked the idea of working with multiple markets as part of a Nordic role, so I relocated to Stockholm.

Originally, the plan was to be in Sweden for only 18 months, but I quickly realized that wouldn’t be enough time to fully benefit from the experience. Eight years later, I now have Swedish citizenship and feel very happy with my new home. One of the great things about Mondelēz is the abundance of opportunities—you can change functions, change countries, and build an exciting career while gaining amazing life experiences!

When I made the move, MDLZ was very supportive, providing relocation assistance, including moving my belongings and helping me find an apartment in Stockholm. Even though I was moving alone to a country I had never been to before, I never felt alone, thanks to the support from my colleagues and the relocation team.

Can you tell us about the main responsibilities and objectives you have in your current role as Customer Category Development Manager for Sweden?

My team was newly created to focus on the channel and customer perspective within Category Planning. Being a new setup for the Swedish organization has given me the opportunity to shape both my own role and the new roles within my team. A key responsibility is leading the channel focus, developing strategies centered on our growth channels, and determining what should be prioritized. One example of this has been creating our Vision 2030 for White Space, where we defined the business opportunities and resource requirements. Another key responsibility is driving Sales Fundamentals, which involves growing our distribution and share of shelf. This is essential to driving our core business and delivering on our annual commitments. I work closely with my team to increase our shelf space, expand product distribution to our customers, and drive focus across the business. It’s a very fulfilling role that continues to evolve, and I love working so closely with our Key Account Managers, bringing me closer to the customer.

What specific skills or experiences do you believe were most valuable in allowing you to successfully transition between different roles and functions?

While many skills and experiences are valuable, a few key ones stand out. The ability to be adaptable and deal with change is crucial, especially when switching functions. Likewise, having good learning agility and an open mind really helps you get the most out of your new responsibilities quickly. When changing functions, many transferable skills come into play. For example, my experience with stakeholder and project management, as well as analytical skills, proved very useful when transitioning from Supply Chain to Sales. My advice when switching roles or functions is to use the opportunity to challenge the status quo and question things—this is your chance to see things from a fresh perspective!

Based on your experience, what advice would you give someone aspiring to advance their career within Mondelēz International?

If you have a plan for your next steps, whether long or short term, it’s always beneficial to share this not only with your manager but also with your wider network. This way, your name will be in people's minds when roles come up or during succession planning discussions. For me, it's also important to be open to opportunities—sometimes unexpected things arise. Don’t shut the door just because it wasn’t part of your initial plan; be open to what may come! Another tip is to get involved in groups or activities outside of your day job.

I’ve done this many times, from being a lead in the Nordic Young Professional Network to being an ambassador for Sweden’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion agenda. It’s always fun and rewarding, and it’s a great way to expand your network, gain visibility, and acquire additional experience that could help with future career advancement.

Looking ahead, what are your career aspirations? How do you plan to continue learning and growing professionally?

For me, continuing to learn and develop every day is so important. I want to elevate both my leadership and sales skills to the next level. While on-the-job training is key, there are also specific courses, like negotiation training, that I’m interested in attending. In terms of career aspirations, I’ve gained so much from switching functions and want to continue growing within the Commercial business, advancing into Senior Management. Being part of the decision-making process for how we grow the business and implement strategies is incredibly exciting. I also see potential to transition back into a leadership role in Supply Chain, where my sales experience would be highly valuable. Either way, I’m committed to continuing to advance and expand my skillset!

Lastly, what is your favorite Mondelēz snack, and what makes it special to you?

That’s a tough one! I have a favorite from both the UK and Sweden. Growing up with Cadbury, it has to be a Cadbury Dairy Milk bar—the taste brings back so many childhood memories. From Sweden, I can’t get enough of Marabou Noblesse; it’s so delicious and perfect on a midsummer cake!