HR Accelerated Management Scheme
The HR AMS scheme has recently been launched and the first graduates started in September '08. The testimonial below has been written by one of our Senior HR Officers who joined us prior to us launching the scheme, she gives a flavour of what working in HR at Bakkavor is all about.
Working for a Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company in the HR team is a highly rewarding and challenging experience. The thing I enjoy the most about my role is that no two days are ever the same. The nature of the business means that new challenges will constantly appear around the corner, but by learning to adapt and respond positively to these a progressive career path awaits.
Real work from day one
The Bakkavör HR Accelerated Management Scheme is carefully structured to provide valuable insight into all aspects of the company's business whilst ensuring you receive external training for your CIPD qualification. The scheme consists of three, one year, work placements in separate Bakkavör business units throughout the company. The structure of the scheme ensures that you will find yourself contributing to real work from day one.
Real responsibility for graduates
Organisational skills are vital, otherwise you could easily lose your way under the mass of new projects and demands from your internal customers, however, this for me is what makes the role so interesting. The HR Officer is a generalist role and the variety it offers is great - from absence management to strategy, recruitment, disciplinary, grievance handling, change and performance management - to name but a few. There is always a new project to get your teeth into!
There are always issues arising that need to be managed, for example, you could plan to spend the whole day running a training course for Managers and 20 minutes into it they are all pulled out due to an urgent issue in the factory, the course needs to be cancelled and re-scheduled for a later date. Or, you plan to spend the day on project work, but 2 employees have been fighting in the factory and their Manager needs advice on how to deal with it and help in investigating the matter, this ends up taking a number of hours to sort out and so your project gets put on hold.
These sorts of issues are regular occurrences and therefore it is vital to prioritise, things don't always go to plan but this is what makes the role exciting!
This kind of role would definitely suit a 'hands-on' person and it is vital that you understand and are able to work closely with the Operations team. Influencing skills are essential, as you often find yourself in a situation where they want to do one thing, but you need to advise an alternative course of action - which isn't always to their liking!
I find both the regular Employment Law Updates and internal networking with fellow HR colleagues at other Bakkavör Sites useful tools to help keep up to date with changes.
Real challenges & opportunities for growth
Overall, the fast paced environment keeps me on my toes, which means there is never a fear of boredom having the chance to set in! The high level of exposure to different issues means that it can be rather demanding, but at the same time very rewarding. There are always new challenges to overcome and this helps keep me motivated. HR within Bakkavör is well respected and a key player in all major business decisions. This, along with the fact that there is a clearly defined career path, means that the potential for growth within the department/business is great.