Meet Madeleine Kern, Perfect Store & Shopper Activation Manager

Wednesday, September 20,2023

What did your career development look like?

I started my journey at Mondelēz as a Category Planning intern for the Swiss Business Unit, however I was always located in Vienna, Austria. Being at the same time surrounded by the Austrian colleagues, I was exposed to their work and so consequently I had the chance to have my own projects with them too. After my internship I was offered a newly created role as a Promotion Expert, where I was working on different shopper activations across all brands for the Austrian market. To mention just a few, I was working on an activation to establish a new tradition with building a Milka Chocolate House, or I was even having the chance to cooperate with the Austrian Olympic Committee for the Milka Olympia Promotion during the Winter Olympic Games 2018. Following this creative role, I had again the chance to move to a newly established role as a Customer Activation Manager, where I was working closely with the Key Account Team and the customer. After almost three years on this role, I was offered my current role as a Perfect Store & Shopper Activation Manager. With my team of three, we are working on ‘what good looks like in-store’, from shelf to secondaries, from intense Category Management projects with customers to exciting cross-category shopper activations.

What was for you the biggest advantage of the Early Careers Program?

The biggest advantage was that as an intern I was given responsibility from day one with my own projects.

What kind of support did you have during the program? What helped you to overcome obstacles on your journey to success?

I have always trusted colleagues with whom I could brainstorm, share my thoughts and also challenge the status quo. Talking transparently about obstacles, thoughts and ideas always helped me to find a clear direction on how to move on.

What would you say where the biggest learnings for you during the program?

Trust yourself and challenge the status quo – nothing is set in stone.

What is your advice for a successful career planning?

Know what you want, but stay open to whatever comes.

What is something that you are proud of looking at your career so far?

I am proud that hard work, passion and dedication pays off, while at the same time I remain true to myself.

What is your dearest memory from the program?

There are multiple moments I will never forget, but the dearest memory I have is the Milka Schokofest 2016 in Bludenz, where I first realized how big and emotional the brands are we are working with. Seeing families and kids with sparkles in their eyes when they eat chocolate and see Lila – the Milka cow – live, shows that a brand can make lifetime memories – and the older the people get, it will always be a little walk down memory lane when they eat a piece of Milka chocolate. Additionally, working buddies who become friends, are the cherry on top for a great working environment.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of applying for our program?

Just do it. It will be the start of an exciting journey with great brands and colleagues. Even after almost 8 years, no day is like another.