Are you a recent graduate? Are you eager to get out into the world of work, but also want to further your education? Are you passionate about Irish Food and Drink, and want the world to know about our high quality and sustainability credentials? Are you an ambitious, honest and hard-working individual and who can show great initiative?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, then this graduate programme may be a perfect fit for you. Hands up if you're interested!
My name is Christina Howlett and below I will explain a bit about my role in the Dairy sector of Bord Bia, give a brief overview of the programme and share my highlights of the programme so far…
What attracted you to the Bord Bia Smurfit MSc Programme?
Growing up on a dairy farm in Co. Wexford, I’ve always had a love for food and agriculture. My life pretty much revolves around food - I love to eat, cook, talk, read, shop, breath and dream about food so much that I chose to study it in college - in the science form.
My 3rd year of Food Science in UCD presented me with the opportunities to study abroad and also complete an internship in a food production facility, and after finishing these, I was 100% sure that I wanted to pursue a career in the food industry.
Like many young final year undergraduates, I was eager to get out into the world of work. I was keen to apply my learnings and take a few more steps on my career ladder. However, as the second semester drew on, the lure of a Masters became more appealing – it was safe, familiar and it was guaranteed progression.
When I first got wind of the Bord Bia Graduate Programme, it seemed like the ideal opportunity. It presented the option of getting the best of both worlds – further education and on-the-job work experience.
What do you do in Bord Bia?
Bord Bia’s role is to promote Irish food and beverages, at home and abroad. The dairy sector is split up into two main areas – dairy ingredients and consumer dairy. Dairy ingredients focuses on bulk dairy products such as milk powders, whey, bulk butter and cheeses. Consumer dairy focuses mainly on farmhouse cheeses, yogurt and essentially any dairy that's on the shop shelf.
Dairy is Ireland's largest food export sector and is currently valued at €4.4bn. My team works with 120 client companies and helps them navigate Bord Bia's supports and services. For example, we work collaboratively with our different market teams to enable client and buyer matchmaking. We also get involved in sector work at farm level and at group level, through initiatives like the grass-fed standard or CÁIS - the Association of Farmhouse Cheesemakers. It is our job to champion the client, have a good awareness of their needs and assist them in growing their business and exports through activities such as trade shows, workshops, marketing material and market insights.
Irish Cheese Awards Judging in Bord Bia (in association with CÁIS)
Some of my responsibilities so far have included managing the production and design of dairy marketing materials like leaflets, brochures, presentations and agendas, organising and supporting client companies at trade events, attending workshops to gain insights, and updating our dairy client relationship management system.
Ploughing Championships 2019
Farm walk - Tralee
Dairy Day - Punchestown
One of my personal highlights was taking part in the organisation and attendance of Salon du Fromage – one of the cheese world’s most important Trade Fairs – in the home of cheese, Paris. I assisted six Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers showcase their products, meet buyers, distributors and other stakeholders.
Salon du Fromage - Paris
How does the programme work?
The programme is 23 months long, involving lectures in UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School and, for the most part, work in one of the Bord Bia’s 16 offices around the world. The majority of graduates are placed in the Dublin office, as it has the widest range of roles. This could mean working in a sector (i.e.: dairy, meat, PCF, seafood and alcohol), event management, insights, marketing, communications, capability development or even HR, depending on your previous experience. At present, there are 15 grads based internationally in Paris, Dusseldorf, Madrid, Milan, London, Amsterdam, Stockholm, New York, Shanghai or Dubai, in Bord Bia offices – if you speak one of these languages, you will have a great advantage. Don’t worry though, even if you’re not placed abroad, that doesn’t mean you won’t get the opportunity to travel – we are called international graduates after all.
The Masters portion is based on eight business/marketing-related modules, each of which are three days in duration, over the course of the 23 months. These short time frames mean that the lectures are very intense, but extremely engaging and relevant. We are graded on class participation and pre/post-module assignments. Finding the right work-college balance can be tricky at times, but when I see the module learnings being put into practice through my work in Bord Bia, it’s very rewarding.
Another huge benefit, is that fees are fully paid and we receive a monthly bursary to cover our living costs.
What is the best thing about being on the programme and working for Bord Bia?
One of the best things about the programme is that I have been given countless opportunities to broaden my knowledge through attending Brand Forum workshops (events organised for client companies to develop their brand), seminars, events, talks and I have access to a wealth of information through our top class library (aka The Thinking House). The insights I am gaining from Bord Bia’s resources will no doubt assist me in my role in the dairy sector and beyond.
Brand Forum event (Tony's Chocolonely, Unilever, Dentsu Aegis Network Ltd.)
Our learning hasn’t been confined to just the course either, I have had the chance to assert my leadership by organising French classes by Alliance Francaise, after work, for myself and other employees. These came in very handy for me at Salon du Fromage!
I know it sounds cheesy (pardon the pun), but the other grads, my dairy queen team and everyone else in the organisation are incredibly friendly, positive and inclusive. We're like one big international family, really.
Tag rugby champs
Bi-annual Reunion with the International folk
And how can I forget those Smurfit lunches *drool*
3 facts you may not know about Irish dairy:
- Kerrygold is the no. 1 butter and Cheddar brand in Germany - it's so popular, it has a street named after it: 'Kerrygoldstrasse'.
- Ireland produces around 10% of the world's infant formula.
- Irish cows spend an average of 240 days of the year outside grazing and 99% of water used in Irish dairy comes from natural rainfall (I know that makes 4 facts, but I couldn't help it)
My two top tips for excelling in the dairy sector.
- SWOT UP! Read as much industry news as you can get your hands on and keep up to date as much as possible. The Farmer Journal is your bible now. Subscribe to papers and podcasts that will inform you about the dairy and agricultural industry, in Ireland and globally. Switch on google alerts for 'Irish dairy'. If you are lucky enough to be have access to any Mintel report findings, they are an excellent source of information. I would also be very aware of current consumer lifestyle trends – I may be slightly biased, but the Bord Bia Consumer Lifestyle Trends website is a fantastic tool to discover consumer wants and needs.
- If you don’t have a marketing or agricultural background, don’t worry. Although these are preferable, they’re not essential. If you’re lacking in one or the other, I would urge you to get some part-time work experience in that area to maximise your chances of success. As you will be dealing with client companies, a huge factor is that you are honest, approachable and a good communicator. Every role is suited very well to each particular person, and it’s clear to see that everyone is passionate about their work. So, if you have a love for Irish dairy, then, well... you’re almost dair(y).
For further information and to apply, visit the Bord Bia or Smurfit websites.
Follow the programme on social media to be informed of key dates:
If you have any other questions in relation to the graduate programme, please don't hesitate to contact me.