This year marks the first time that Mondelēz International has amended its graduate program since 2005 – resulting a switch that will see the company focus on becoming a training ground for the next generation of innovators within the Mondelēz portfolio.
The decision follows a three year ‘innovation transformation’ where all staff were encouraged to help discover the next big idea in food – be it a new product, a new taste or a new manufacturing method.
During the time since the innovation transformation has been launched, an impressive number of products were purpose-created to suit changing consumer preferences and emerging markets including the development of 30 new products in the last year alone.
The new and improved 18 month graduate program now includes innovation-specific elements through the recruitment and training process including; testing innovation-indicators for applicants and the introduction of innovation-focused theory and practice elements.
“Innovation will be the key to Australia’s economic prosperity. Australia’s future strength will be derived from our minds not our mines,” said the director premium chocolate & dairy, research & development, Asia Pacific, Nicolas Georges.
“Iconic brands like Vegemite and Cadbury were both once new ideas, and we are now working to encourage every Mondelēz staff member – from the CEO and manufacturing site managers through to the graduates and everyone in between, to take ownership of developing the next big thing in food.
Georges says that while Mondelēz may not know what lies in the future of tastes, food and food manufacturing, he does know that innovation and creatively are key to developing winning products.
“Breakthrough products come from breakthrough thinking, and we are working from this year to make our graduates the ‘Innovation Generation’ – providing our future young leaders with the skills and strong foundations to strongly contribute to our company,” he said.
“Our vision for our graduates is that through their program, they will learn how to think like an entrepreneur and act as change agents for the wider business, bringing fresh perspectives to business problems or opportunities in their home function.”