Purina's Rotational Development Program
In today's dynamic business environment, the path to success often involves exploring various roles and functions within an organization. The Rotational Development Program (RDP) at Nestlé Purina serves as a pivotal stepping stone for many professionals seeking to broaden their expertise and enhance their career trajectories.
Can you tell us about your career leading up to the Rotational Development Program?
Koobere: I began my career at Purina immediately after college, working as a Territory Sales Manager for our Pet Specialty region in Louisiana. Over the course of four years, I had the opportunity to work in various roles within our sales teams for PetSmart, Petco, and Dollar General. My time in sales fueled my curiosity about the different divisions within our company, particularly Marketing and the Marketing Development Organization (MDO). The Rotational Development Program seemed like an excellent opportunity to gain that unique experience.
Mendy: Prior to the Rotational Development Program, I worked at Purina’s creative agency, Checkmark, for five years and then within Project Management and various roles in the MDO for more than three years. With each role, I had a strong connection with brand marketing and became increasingly closer to the sales function. The RDP opened my eyes to a whole new world within the organization!
How has your participation in the RDP contributed to your professional development?
Koobere: This program has provided me with unique experiences that I would have otherwise had limited exposure to. The cross-functional experience has been instrumental in helping me understand how Purina successfully brings its products to market. It has also allowed me to better contribute to the organization and as a result, accelerate my career.
Mendy: I wouldn’t be where I am today without the RDP. I never dreamed I’d become part of the sales organization. I always leaned heavily into marketing, but having the opportunity to be part of a strategic sales team and learn from leadership truly gave me an entirely new perspective. It enabled me to use previous experiences to grow the business and educate others on cross-functional roles company-wide.
How has the program helped you build relationships within the company?
Koobere: The program helped me develop connections with individuals across the organization, each serving unique roles. These relationships have been invaluable to my professional development, and I continue to leverage these connections in my current role.
Mendy: The relationships I’ve developed have been truly career changing. I can now pick up the phone, send an instant message or email to someone, and find my way around the roadblocks. The program provided me with leadership visibility and an understanding of how to get things done. It’s all about teamwork and the relationships I’ve built from the program that have really stuck with me.
How do you see this program influencing your career trajectory?
Koobere: Initially, my goal in joining the program was to gain cross-functional experience that would benefit my career in sales. However, my time in the program ignited a passion for marketing, prompting me to shift my career path towards this field. So, the program definitely influenced my career trajectory.
Mendy: There’s a lot of talk about climbing the corporate ladder, but the RDP has taught me to climb the rock wall…take those lateral moves…I’ve had many. Those moves made me better, smarter, and enabled me to have more of a general manager mindset. I’m not sure what my next role will be, but I do know that as a Director of Sales, I could not do this role without the opportunity I had to learn, experience, develop, and grow within the RDP program.
Do our associates’ stories have you thinking about your next career move? Be sure to enroll in our talent community so you can be the first to know when we have openings in your area of expertise.
