Meet Jannes, Exploring Career Growth through the Early Careers Program

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Tell us about yourself.

I am Jannes Neugebauer, part of the “Taste The Future – Junior Management Program” at Mondelēz International. I started my career with MDLZ in 2022 at the Philadelphia plant in Bad Fallingbostel, North Germany. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work at our Bludenz plant in Austria, where large Milka tablets are produced. Most recently, I returned to Germany to join the Milka plant in Lörrach. Currently, my role is Junior People Lead for Manufacturing & Supply Chain DACH.

How did you join the Taste The Future program?

During my master’s degree in business and human resource education, I sought an option to apply my knowledge in a corporate setting. MDLZ has provided this by offering me an internship, where I worked on a digitalization project for Human Resource self-service in the DACH region plants. Following the project’s successful implementation, I had the opportunity to continue with the company and join the “Taste The Future” program. This 3-year early careers program allows me to rotate through 2-3 positions across various functions, providing a holistic understanding of the business before transitioning directly into a management role.

How has the program supported your career development?

The program has offered me numerous opportunities to excel further in my career growth within the company and in my personal development. It allows me to learn in a real-world environment while playing a key role in driving success. Additionally, I’ve had the chance to move between various locations and countries, gaining a deeper understanding of the people, cultures, and the business as a whole.

The program also empowers you to shape your own career path by sharing your ideas and aspirations, which the business then aligns with a role that fosters your growth. As one of our values at MDLZ, "we grow every day." For example, I was the Human Resource support for implementing a new production line in Bludenz, a significant project.

What were your main challenges during the program, and how did you overcome them?

The main challenges of the program are also its greatest advantages. Stepping out of your comfort zone, relocating to different countries, and adapting to new cultures and teams can be overwhelming but incredibly rewarding. What made these transitions easier were the colleagues, whose open-mindedness and welcoming attitude helped me integrate quickly into each new location and team. Through this experience, I've gained a broad range of skills that are hard to pinpoint individually. On one hand, I’ve developed strong professional expertise through hands-on work, while on the other, I’ve learned a lot about myself and how the company operates. There’s always something new to learn, and I’m excited to continue growing.

Why were you interested in exploring different roles and functions, and how has relocating to different locations impacted your career?

I have a natural curiosity and a desire to learn more about the business, which drives me to embrace opportunities that allow me to step into completely new environments. Moving to different places is always exciting and brings a wealth of new impressions and experiences. Even though we are part of the same company, each location has its own unique culture and people, making it rewarding to get to know them and enhancing my holistic understanding of our organization. These rotations have significantly impacted my career by helping me learn more about myself, clarify what I enjoy, and map out the potential paths I want to take in my career.

What advice would you give to others considering a similar transition?

For me, the most important aspect is to remain open-minded. While starting something new is always exciting, it can also be daunting. Embracing an open mindset and a willingness to learn can make this transition a fantastic opportunity. The best part is that you’ll have great people around you who support your growth and success. Taking that step can be a lot of fun and ultimately fills you with pride.