From Field Sales to Senior Key Account Manager role, Patrik Envall's Thriving Journey at Mondelēz International

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Tell us about your career path at Mondelēz Sweden and how it led you to your current Senior Key Account Manager role.

In 2000, I started as a field sales representative at Cadbury Sweden, an exciting and enlightening time for a young professional like me. I learned the ropes of sales and gained valuable insights into the FMCG industry. After five years, I began studying at IHM Business School. Following two years of studies, I landed the opportunity to work as a junior key account manager (KAM). This role gave me responsibility for the company's smaller accounts, which was a great introduction to what a KAM job entails. Over the years, I developed professionally and personally, taking on more responsibilities and larger accounts. In 2011, when Cadbury merged into Kraft Foods/Mondelēz International, I joined their talented KAM team and worked with almost all our different categories and all of Sweden's customers. My client portfolio grew over the years, and in 2018, I stepped into my current role as team leader for one of our key account management teams.

Looking back at your career path, what experiences were most helpful in developing the skills and knowledge you need in your current role?

Having the chance to grow and gradually transition into new roles suited me well. It gave me a broad foundation and experience across all market segments, which I find very useful today as a manager. Working as a field sales representative and a KAM gave me a comprehensive understanding of the entire business, making it easier to provide advice and input when needed. In this role, you work closely with other functions, which has been educational, as I’ve learned a lot from the fantastic colleagues, I’ve worked with over the years.

Can you describe a typical day for a Senior Key Account Manager? What are the most rewarding aspects of your role?

A workday is often very diverse and frequently includes meetings and tasks with clients across many different areas, both internally and externally. Internally, we work within our team, with the entire KAM collective, and with other functions. Externally, there are many exciting client meetings, which I find both enjoyable and rewarding.

A Senior KAM at MDLZ is somewhat of a "spider in the web," playing a crucial role in many other functions' areas of work. We often provide valuable insights and input since we have extensive knowledge about our clients—how they operate, what they desire, and the demands they place on us. Coaching and developing your team is also essential, ensuring they have the right conditions to succeed in their work. My greatest reward is seeing my team members challenge themselves, grow as individuals, and succeed with more demanding tasks. It makes both them and me grow and feel proud. To achieve this, you often need to challenge the status quo and occasionally make mistakes, something we at Mondelēz encourage to develop as an organization and reach our long-term goals.

How do Senior Key Account Managers like yourself collaborate with other teams to foster strong client relationships?

Success in this role requires collaboration with various functions across the company. Most opportunities and challenges we face require support from other parts of the company. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a close and good dialogue. Each function is an expert in its area, so getting help and input from professional colleagues who know their area best is essential.

One advantage is that everyone at MDLZ operates under a shared values framework with a "growth mindset." This fosters a collaborative environment where open communication and knowledge sharing are encouraged. KAMs work closely with Category Planning, Finance, Supply Chain, and Marketing. For example, we negotiate and finalize a yearly media plan with our clients. We collaborate extensively with Category Planning and our Media Manager throughout this process. This ensures we leverage the expertise of each department in their specialized areas. This collaborative approach leads to well-rounded, well-supported media plans that ultimately deliver more robust campaigns and better results for our clients. Our colleagues in other functions also appreciate gaining a deeper understanding of our client's operations and challenges through this close collaboration.

Why should one join the Key Account Management team at Mondelēz Sweden?

Our KAM team thrives on collaboration. You'll join a group of passionate, agile individuals working towards ambitious growth goals. Not only will you be surrounded by driven colleagues, but you'll also have the opportunity to develop your skills by working with iconic brands like Marabou, Daim, Philadelphia, and Oreo.

This role goes beyond individual targets. We believe in fostering a supportive environment where everyone contributes to the success of the entire business. A fast-paced environment with significant responsibility will challenge you to continuously develop and optimize your skills, propelling you further in your career.

What's your favorite Mondelēz snack, and why?

My all-time favorite product is the timeless Marabou Schweizernöt. I've cherished it since childhood, and it embodies the classic taste of our beloved Marabou brand.