What made you decide to join Nestlé Purina?
While I completed a graduate assistantship through a partnership between my university and Purina Sales, I was immersed in a very welcoming and supportive culture. The Purina Sales department has a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and a shared passion for pets, so I knew I wanted to be a part of that. I also wanted to find a way to nurture my creative tendencies and translate that into my career. I found the ability to tell stories through data as an analyst. The promising growth opportunities across Purina encourages me for what lies ahead within the company.
Tell me about your career path to our Nestlé Purina Sales group.
I started with Purina as an intern on the Category Management Team while I was getting my Master of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas. While I was in my assistantship, I primarily supported the Walmart account by working on valuable projects across multiple desks including dog food and treats, cat litter, and accessories. I also had the opportunity to work with major customers like Sam’s Club. Through this role, I was given the opportunity to expand my category knowledge and transition to support the Cat Litter and Accessories Category Management team full-time.
What makes working in Sales at Nestlé Purina different from other companies?
I can say that Purina’s sales department has a very collaborative and welcoming culture. Our team gets to know each other personally and professionally to build connections and allow us to work better as a team. Another big bonus to working at Purina is that all sales associates are allowed to bring their dogs into the office which creates such a fun environment to work in!
What account(s) do you support and what are your primary responsibilities?
I currently support the Walmart account as a Category Analyst on the cat litter and accessories desk. As an analyst on a desk where Purina has advisership, I provide valuable and actionable data driven insights and recommendations to build rapport with the customer, influence category strategies, and help achieve category and customer objectives. I help develop the store set recommendation and have responsibility of modular (plan-o-gram) development, production, and item maintenance. It’s exciting to see all the work we do throughout the year displayed on the shelf in Walmart stores nationwide!
What unique skills make someone successful in the position?
In this position, remaining curious and having a strong willingness to learn is key. Working in the pet category is fun because it’s always changing, so being flexible and comfortable in a fast-paced environment is a must. Plus, building strong relationships and feeling confident as the subject matter expert for your products and customers, while being able to share that expertise both internally and externally, is important.
Our Founder challenges us with the ‘Dare to Stand Taller.’ How do you Stand Taller?
I ‘Stand Taller’ with expertise as I work hard every day to be the subject matter expert in my category so that I can drive data-driven decisions that help grow the category. I’m a firm believer that there is always room to improve, so I try to push myself outside my comfort zone, ask lots of questions, take on new responsibilities when possible, and never stop learning.
Outside of work, what are you passionate about?
Outside of work, I love to do anything outdoors! I am lucky to live in Northwest Arkansas where there are so many outdoor activities and great hiking trails in the area. I also love cultivating my artistic passions by painting and doing crafts in my free time.
What advice would you have for someone considering a career with Purina?
Take advantage of all the things Purina has to offer when it comes to personal and professional development. Purina provides so many ways for you to expand your network and deepen your leadership skills, so always be on the lookout for continued learning opportunities that align with your personal interests, passions, and career goals.
Ready to jump into a sales career with us? Check out our open opportunities here and join our talent network to be alerted to the most relevant job opportunities matching your skill set.
