From Admin to Analyst: A Journey of Growth and Leadership at Nestlé IT
Tell me about yourself and your role at Nestlé IT.
My career journey with Nestlé IT began as an administrative assistant, but after two years, I was promoted to Executive Assistant. In this new role, I saw potential for professional growth and the opportunity to create synergies within my department. I proposed to my supervisor that all admins should be on one team, with me overseeing and managing them. Leadership agreed, and I was able to shape the admin team by having six individuals from across the United States and Mexico report to me. I enjoyed coaching and being a resource for my team, so I sought out a role that would allow me to provide solutions and support to my colleagues. With the encouragement and support of our CIO and IT leadership team, I transitioned to my current position as a Senior Analyst, IT Business Systems for Marketing, Sales, and eBusiness. Throughout my time at Nestlé IT and transitioning between roles, I have learned two valuable lessons. Firstly, there are many transferable skills, both technical and soft, that can be utilized during times of change. Secondly, being an individual contributor does not limit one's ability to lead; there are always opportunities to take on more responsibility and a leading role, even without the title of "manager."
What does your day to day look like?
I work heavily with Nestlé Purina’s New Business Model (NBM) group. When they come to me looking for solutions to a cloud product challenge, I’m able to provide just that. I help teams go from ideation to implementation by collaborating with stakeholders to put all pieces of a metaphorical puzzle together.
How was the transition to the technical side?
Before transitioning to my current role, I had the opportunity to work with various systems and applications utilized by the IT Marketing, Sales, and eBusiness team. While there was still much to learn, such as data entry and processing, my previous experience as an administrator provided me with a solid understanding of the organization and the technology used by different teams. Two factors greatly aided in my transition to a more technical role. Firstly, I took a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) course offered by the organization, which provided me with a holistic perspective on different aspects of my job. Secondly, my network has played a crucial role in supporting and encouraging me throughout this journey, and I am truly grateful for their invaluable support.
What have you found to be the most surprising part about your role with Nestlé IT?
Since this is my first role in IT, I didn't have anything to compare it to. I’d say the most surprising part about my role with Nestlé IT is that the work is quite busy and there is always something to do. One thing I have found enjoyable is seeing all the new and exciting things that Purina is doing. The NBM and cloud product use cases have been fascinating to me.
Was there a particular benefit (or reason) that made you join
the organization?
There were several reasons that made me join the organization. Firstly, after going back to school for my Masters, I had a strong desire to work for a Fortune 500 company. Nestlé, being one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, provided me with the opportunity to be a part of a global organization. Additionally, Nestlé offered a promising career path that provided growth opportunity. As a dog lover, the iconic checkerboard building also caught my attention. Living on the Illinois side and frequently driving to St. Louis, I always saw the checkerboard and it became a symbol of Nestlé for me. Lastly, I had heard great things about the company from someone who was already working there, and they referred me, which further solidified my decision to join.
What three words would you use to describe Nestlé IT?
Diverse – I feel supported as a Woman in Tech at Nestlé IT, and there are career growth opportunities for me.
Work-life balance – Our organization promotes flexible work in STL and encourages employees to find a work-life balance that works for them.
Agile – There seems to be a constant shift in priorities, and I think our organization has done a great job pivoting in the past few years to adjust and support the business and bottom line.
If you or someone you know is interested in pursuing a career in Information Technology, consider applying today to any open positions with Nestlé IT.
