Learning and Leading: A Secondment Project with Weetabix

As part of the MDS graduate scheme, our Trainees gain exposure to a wide range of industries, roles, and projects, which helps them build valuable skills and experience. Robin Goode (Group 55), who has been with MDS since April 2024, is currently seconded to Weetabix, where they are contributing to the customer supply planning team. In this blog post, Robin shares their journey so far, detailing the exciting challenges they’ve faced and the project they’re leading to improve the induction process for new team members. It’s inspiring to see how they’re applying the skills they’ve gained through the scheme and the Level 5 Apprenticeship course to make a lasting impact at Weetabix.

My MDS Journey So Far

Hi, my name is Robin. I’ve been on the MDS graduate scheme since April 2024 and am quickly approaching 1 year on the scheme, which has gone very quickly. But as they say, “time flies when you’re having fun.” Let me tell you, it really has been an amazing experience and I’m looking forward to the next year.

I’m currently seconded with Weetabix. Yes, the very British breakfast company. I’m working within the customer supply planning team supporting the fulfilment and delivery of Weetabix products to customers to get breakfast in people’s bowls. Supply chain is a vital part of the food industry, and few people realise how much effort goes into the logistics of getting products to shops for people to buy.

On my MDS journey, I’ve learnt a lot about the food industry as well as departments and roles I didn’t know existed. The opportunity to experience fast-paced secondments with a multitude of businesses is incredible and moving every six months puts into perspective how important an induction to a new role or company is.

Developing Key Skills in Project Management

A project I have been given responsibility for is to create a comprehensive introductory process and accompanying documents for new starters joining the Customer Supply Planning Team. As the team gains a new MDS Trainee every six months, it is important the induction is effective and straightforward to support the new Trainee’s transition into the role and responsibilities of a customer supply planner. By providing a well-developed process of induction and handover, I can help both the Customer Supply Planning Team at Weetabix welcome new potential to their business, as well as boost development for any future MDS trainees who will come after me.

Part of MDS is the completion of a Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship Course. We are provided training on key skills and behaviours effective Managers and Leaders should demonstrate, and we apply and reflect this training within our secondments. Project Management is a key skill highlighted, and the first part of any project is creating the project proposal with the appropriate details, objectives, scope, KPIs, costs, resources and methodology information. Upon approval, reviewing the current resources in place to gauge what works well and how it can be improved is part of the continuous improvement mindset that successful managers and leaders create.

Whilst drafting the structure of the induction documentation, finding a balance between the inclusion of relevant and important information without overwhelming the receiver has been a challenge. I reviewed the initial concept with the Project Manager in 1-2-1 meetings and developed an appropriate induction schedule and information pack that should guide the induction and handover process. An induction is the first impression of the business and role a new starter receives, and my aim is to provide as effective and efficient an introduction as possible.

Rolling Out and Reviewing the Project

Communication is vital in a close-knit team with the common goal of delivering customer orders in full and on time. The next stage within the project is to review the induction process and pack with the whole Customer Supply Planning Team, ensuring the project meets their standards and highlighting if anything needs changing or improvement.

One of the most important stages of the project is its implementation and evaluation of how applicable the induction is for the Team and Department. I will assess the success of the project whilst providing the induction and handover to the MDS Trainee taking over my role as my Secondment at Weetabix comes to a close. Upon completion of the induction and handover, I will acquire feedback from the new MDS Trainee, the Customer Supply Planning Team and the Project Manager to measure the performance of the project and gain insights to further my project development skills.

Robin’s experience so far on the MDS graduate scheme is a perfect example of the diverse opportunities available to our Trainees. By taking ownership of a key project within their secondment at Weetabix, they’re not only enhancing their own skills but also making a meaningful contribution to the team. As Robin moves into their second year with MDS, it’s exciting to think about the next chapter of the journey and the growth they will continue to experience. We look forward to seeing how Robin’s project develops and the impact it will have on future trainees joining the Customer Supply Planning Team.