Rhian
Commercial Graduate
Rhian Watkins is one of our Commercial Graduates based at Dunbia’s Llanybydder site, who joined us in January 2021 after studying Agribusiness at the University of New England in Australia. Here she tells us how her invaluable experience at Dunbia has given her a flying start to her career in sales.
Describe your time on the Dunbia Brighter Futures Graduate Programme
My time at Dunbia started in the lairage and the abattoir, before moving to the boning hall. I spent time there learning the different cuts of lamb and received butchery training – a skill I never thought I’d learn, let alone now feel confident doing. I have been able to spend time in different departments across the site which has allowed me to have a better understanding of the whole business. I have also had the opportunity to network with people in other departments who I wouldn’t have otherwise met and worked with, which has been fundamental in my current job role.
I now focus on sales, particularly export sales. The day to day involves planning the export trailers for the upcoming week, liaising with hauliers and our European offices, as well as ensuring customer requirements are met. I still spend time in the boning hall, doing costings for potential new products. No two days are the same and that’s what makes my role so enjoyable.
What have been your highlights?
I have had a great experience on the graduate programme so far – it has been jam-packed. Recently I was lucky enough to visit our French office in Paris. I was able to meet with customers face-to-face for the first time, see our products on the shelves and gain a deeper insight into the French market. We also squeezed in a trip to Calais which was an invaluable opportunity to meet the customs agents that we communicate with daily since Brexit to ensure a smoother export process. The trip enabled me to develop a better relationship with our French colleagues and customers and I am very grateful to Dunbia for the opportunity.
Why should candidates apply for the Dunbia Brighter Futures Graduate Programme?
I work with a great team at Dunbia Llanybydder. Everyone is very friendly and willing you to succeed. On the Dunbia Graduate Programme there’s no pressure to have a set career path. Dunbia gives you the freedom to choose the role that suits you by offering flexibility in your role. If you’re enjoying a particular department, you are able to spend longer there. I would encourage anyone thinking of applying to go for it – the opportunities are vast.
What are you looking forward to during the rest of your time on the programme?
Since joining I have learnt a great deal and been given some real responsibility and I am looking forward to continuing my development within the business, taking on more projects and am excited to see to what the future holds.
