Hi there, I am Agnieszka and this is my first blog post for  my RB Opportunity. I am Polish and work in supply for RB: South Africa, which I joined in September 2009. But I have also worked for RB in Poland and in Russia.

Yes, I really like the RB environment and the way they are developing their employees! And I would like to share with you some of my experiences, the opportunities I’ve been given and the major projects I’m working on.

EXPERIENCE:

3 countries in just 5 years, that’s quite some career progression! Here’s how I did it.

After completing my MSc. in Production Management, I started my career with Reckitt Benckiser Poland in April 2004 as a Production Supervisor.
Here I managed production operations, reduced COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) and identified and implemented cost reduction projects. After a very successful journey in this position, RB moved me to RB Russia in June 2005 as a Production Manager.

It was really a very challenging role for me at that time but since I love to accept the challenges and deliver the best, I accepted the role.
I started all manufacturing activities from scratch, built a very competent team, set the production targets, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) for each line and changed the line layouts to enhance the lines production.

In a very short time, I delivered very good results and then RB moved me back to RB Poland as a Production Coordinator in Aug 2006. As a Production Coordinator, I reduced head counts, waste, COGS , improved OEE  and took part in line validations.

After reviewing my performance, RB promoted me to the Planning Specialist Position at RB Poland. I spent around 2 successful years on this position and managed the planning, scheduling, forecasting, inventory and waste control, NPD (New Product Development) projects and met the customer service on time, effectively and very successfully.

My experience kept improving and when I gained significant industrial experience in Production, Planning and Technical roles, RB reviewed my performance again and moved me to RB South Africa as a Factory Manager and Global Supply Rep for Shoe and Furniture Care reporting to GCD (Global Category Diector).

SO WHAT AM I DOING IN THE BUSINESS NOW?

Well, I’m currently working with RB South Africa as a Factory Manager & Global Supply Rep for Shoe and Furniture Care, managing the whole manufacturing activities, safety health & environment of all manufacturing. employees, waste reduction, maintenance of plant and machinery, delivery of good quality products on time, CAPEX projects, execution of continuous improvement or COGS reduction projects, employees training and development and many many more projects!

So as you can see, I’m really busy! But I love it. It’s why I work at RB and why I’m happy to come on this blog and share my experiences with you so you too can get an idea of what working for a truly global company is really like.

Take a look at this video from one of RB’s marketing directors Francesco. He started out in Italy, then moved to the UK and then to Germany. He joined in a marketing role, took on a global brand position, then became a Marketing Director of one of RBs key regions. He reveals how he did it, talks about the uncompromising nature of Reckitt Benckiser’s company culture, and how he ‘learned by doing’.

As I wind down my blogging responsibilities, it feels appropriate to announce that I’m finishing up as Pharmacy Sales Analyst and will take on my next challenge as Assistant Brand Manager for Pest Control -uber excited!

Seeing as  this will be my last blog post, I thought it would be fitting to revisit some of the key points in my first blog post, which was about my reasons for working at RB and how it would help me achieve my goal of having a fulfilling marketing career. Let’s see whether these points still stand true 6 months on…

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Strong portfolio of brands – No doubt this point still rings true. My Sales Analyst/Account Manager role has put me at the forefront of promoting our RB Powerbrands to my customers to ensure support and promotion within their stores. Massive launches of the past 6 months in Australia? Strepsils Cool, Nurofen for Children relaunch, Dettol No Touch Systems and Veet Suprem Essence just to name a few…

My job is certainly made easier when we’re promoting and selling in market-leading brands, which is why I’m really excited to be tackling Mortein in my next role, which has really big brand presence in Australia, as well as Brazil and India. Can’t wait to get my hands dirty and learn how to manage one of RB’s global Powerbrands!

Real ownership and responsibility –I definitely feel that I have had ownership and responsibility in a range of projects and tasks since starting 18 months ago – being able to present our business strategy to the CEO of my account, organizing and managing a stand in a retailer’s staff conference, convincing my buyer to adopt our shelf strategy in their biggest category – just some of the achievements you can also have as a RB graduate!

Challenges are the norm at RB; it’s up to you to decide how to tackle them. It might be tough initially, but it’s only when you retrospectively review your accomplishments after finishing the task that you realise how much you have learnt both personally and professionally. Certainly the experiences gained in the Sales component of the RB Commercial Graduate Program will help me tackle my next role in Marketing.

The Aussie graduates! – Well, what can I say…we’re like one big family! As we’ve gotten to know each other in the office, its great to know that I can always rely on a fellow graduate when I’m stuck in a rut with a project or just need someone to bounce ideas off. Getting the motivation to push yourself to the next level is difficult, but knowing graduates who have been in your situation and ‘broken through the pain barrier’ to get to the next level is certainly encouraging.

We still catch up outside of work, we’re planning a graduate dinner soon but before that, we’re all going to do participate in the City 2 Surf 12km run in a few weeks time…should be fun!

And that’s it folks, I certainly don’t think my reasons for choosing the RB Commercial Graduate Program have changed, in fact, they have merely been reinforced.

Whilst I’m sad to be leaving here, it is with great pleasure that I announce that my fellow graduate, Natalie, will be taking over my blogging responsibilities.
Natalie and I started the graduate program at the same time and we have shared many great professional experiences. She’s coming along to Marketing with me as Assistant Brand Manager for Nurofen, so please welcome Natalie as she shares her experiences and insights in her new role!

A career at RB means you will work in a fast-moving and demanding environment where you will be expected to produce real results.
It’s a steep learning curve. You will need to have strength of character, be driven and confident and genuinely committed to your career.
It is not the place for everyone.

However, if you’re the sort of person who wants to make an impact, a career at RB means you will be exposed to international experiences in positions that will test your strengths. You will be pushed to use your initiative and creativity to the full. And if you truly want it, a career at RB will give you the platform to launch an international career with a truly global innovator.

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So how do you go about discovering if you are an ‘RB person’?

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We launched this blog in May 2009 as a place where RB employees could give first-hand stories of the experiences, the highs, the lows, the triumphs and the lessons learned in their careers.
It was designed to open a window on RB, to showcase the opportunities available and the sort of people who thrive here.
Today, I want to tell you about my vision of this company. Of the people who have made RB one of the corporate success stories of the past 10 years.
I want to tell you about the people we want and the career you can expect when you work here.

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Primarily we are looking for true talent; people who are hungry for the opportunity and freedom to make their mark.
We are looking for people with drive, resilience and passion; with real motivation. People who feel empowered not just by great results but by knowing that they were behind them. And then want to push themselves, their project even further.
It’s a demanding environment, but it is also highly rewarding.

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Innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit sit as one of the cornerstones of this business.
Rather than endless layers of management that tend to plague many large organisations, RB has small teams and few processes.
And so, we actually encourage ‘constructive conflict’!
When there is a group of people who feel passionately about a set of ideas, I want to ensure those ideas are allowed to flourish. They should not be silenced by the majority consensus. And if they come armed with facts and are prepared to argue their point of view, they will be encouraged to keep working away until they find something our consumers like.
Of course, this can lead to some lively meetings, but this is about finding a way to take it forward; building on each other’s ideas rather than sitting around a table and coming up with a consensus opinion.
We make our decisions fast and then we all stand behind them.
Does that sound like your sort of company?

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One of the most important facets of RB is our culture of global mobility: a culture we have been building over the past 10 years.
We believe this is one of the best ways to generate new ideas and to create global entrepreneurs.
Employees are encouraged to move around the world regularly, often doing different jobs.
By moving people around they become better and more rounded managers. It means they are able to manage an international business with a portfolio of global brands.
And we encourage employees to focus on the best job possible for them, regardless of country.
For you that means the unique opportunity to grow your career on a world stage.
For RB it means we are a truly global company.

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We have enjoyed steady, profitable growth – even during the downturn – and our growth has outpaced that of all our big competitors.
And that is down to our culture and the people who work here.
The RB life isn’t for everyone. But those who love it really love it and find a rewarding and successful career.

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If so, you’re probably looking to pursue career opportunities in challenging, fast-paced work environments. 

But what sort of things are you looking for from your employers that will meet your thrill seeking expectations? 

Anyone who works at RB will tell you that they thrive in the tough, challenging environment here. They choose to work here for that very reason. And they shine because they have what it takes to shine here. Of course it’s not for everyone. 

Leaping into a career which moves at breakneck speed can be overwhelming – especially if you’re a graduate just taking those tentative steps out into the career market. 

But what about if you do want something a bit more thrilling? A bit more challenging? A bit more . . . bold? 

At RB you are given real responsibility from day one. You will be expected to make a difference and share the passion and sense of purpose to drive results. 

You are expected to push the boundaries of convention, take the initiative and set the pace. 

It’s fast and demanding and the career progression can be swift. 

Right from the beginning. 

This is why working here is like a thrill ride! But don’t take my word for it – read our success stories to discover for yourself 

Of course the question is, would it suit you? 

You can get a sense of the sort of on-the-job challenges you could face at RB with our virtual career game which presents you with a range of career-critical scenarios and if you make the right choices you could enjoy quick promotion.

OR you could really step up to the challenge and immerse yourself in our exciting new Facebook game . . . coming soon. 

Watch this space and find out how you can prove your worth in a virtual RB environment!

In the meantime: Get into the spirit of the world cup and play RB’s ‘Time to Shine’ penalty shootout game. Enjoy!

Do you want to move up in your career?
Do you really want to make fast steps? Work in an environment with a very high level of responsibility?

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Here is a great story of one of my colleagues:
She joined RB almost five years ago as a Sales Representative. After one year she became a Junior Brand Manager. 18 months later she got the promotion to Brand Manager.
After another step as Senior Brand Manager she moved to Australia to work and live in one of the most exciting cities in the world: Sydney.
She is still with RB and is moving on quickly.

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So, if you answered all the questions at the start of this post with a “yes” then you should definitely send your application to RB today!

Of course no one here makes these hugh steps like my colleague without any effort. You have to fit in with the RB culture. You have to work hard to reach your goals.
I have written previously about the culture at RB. As you might imagine, there are a lot of great things about it – BUT you have to fit in it.

Find out if Reckitt Benckiser offers the perfect culture for you by visiting the RB careers site: Are we right for you?