We are delighted to welcome four new graduates as we continue to invest in the next generation of food and drink talent.
Daniel, Katie, Ben and Claudia began their careers with Princes this month after successfully joining our Commercial Graduate Scheme at our Head Office in Liverpool.
The new starters will spend two years gaining experience across three key areas of the business: Category, Sales and Marketing. Each eight-month rotation will give them the opportunity to take on real responsibility while developing a broad understanding of how a major food and drink business operates.
Their journey will include working with data and consumer insights, developing relationships with retail partners, supporting major brands and gaining hands-on experience of bringing products to market.
Our Commercial Graduate Scheme is designed to provide graduates with real experience, responsibility and support, including their own mentor and a tailored learning and development programme.
The four graduates join us at an exciting time for the business as we expand our early-career programmes, with our apprenticeship and graduate schemes forming an important part of our approach to developing future talent.
Ben Pearce, 25, has started in Sales in our Drinks category after graduating in Business Management from Edge Hill University.
He said: “I’m from Liverpool and I love the career progression opportunities that are available at Princes. The scale of the business is exciting and I’m really looking forward to the fast-paced nature of the job.
“We’re looking forward to visiting the Princes Group Bradford site in a few weeks, the company’s largest soft drinks production facility in the UK which produces millions of drinks, including the Jucee brand.”
Daniel Adams, 22, from Somerset, begins his rotation in Category. He graduated from the University of Liverpool in Marketing with a year in industry.
He said: “I’ve always wanted to work in FMCG because I really like food. At the Assessment Centre Day I was really impressed with how ambitious and positive everyone was.
“In my Category role I’ll be using market data and consumer trends to analyse and optimise how different products appear and perform in supermarkets.”
Katie Hawkins, 22, from London, joins the Marketing team for Napolina, the UK’s leading Italian food brand. She graduated from the University of York in Business and Management.
She said: “My plan was to start looking for a job after I graduated but when I heard about Princes’ Commercial Graduate Scheme, I applied and was delighted to be offered a job after the Assessment Centre.
“The role is very exciting and will involve coordinating and executing day-to-day digital marketing activities and working closely with external agencies. Liverpool is also a great city to work in and it’s good to be in the office four days a week.”
Claudia Smith, 23, from Chester, joins our Sales and Channel team looking after Iceland. She graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in Psychology and also did a Masters in Marketing at the University of Liverpool.
She said: “I love food and Princes is such an interesting company to work for. My ambition is to work hard and hopefully get into a leadership role eventually.
“My plan is to move to Liverpool but at the moment I’m commuting in on the train from Chester. I love the company culture and the feeling that everyone cares.”
Chief People Officer Joe Dent said: “For the four new graduates, the next two years will be an opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues, build commercial skills and discover where their interests and strengths could take them within the food and drink industry.
“As they take their first steps into professional life, their arrival marks another chapter in our ongoing commitment to developing people and building the skills needed for the future.”