Name: Margaux Jacquot
Age: 27
Job title: Junior national account manager
Company & location: Mr Organic in London
Education: Masters degree in International Business Development at IDRAC in Lyon, France
Why did you decide to go for a career in food? Food has always been a central part of my life and has played a significant role in my career development. I am deeply interested in exploring different cultural cuisines and sharing my own food traditions. I prioritise using organic and locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients in my cooking – values which were instilled in me at a young age through my experiences cooking with my mother. I am proud to carry these values forward in my work and am grateful for the culinary lessons my mother has provided me. In France, the recipes we cooked were mainly meat and cheese based, but coming to London gave me the opportunity to try plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy, and enjoy food in different ways.
Explain your job to us in a sentence (or two): As the link between Mr Organic and our customers, my role is to cultivate relationships with national retailers, wholesalers, and international partners, enabling the export of our products in the UK and around the world. My goal is to ensure consumers can easily find the best Italian passata, pesto, pasta, beans, or chopped tomato in their preferred stores, no matter where they are located.
What does a typical day look like for you? In my role, I spend much of my time at the office meeting with customers and ensuring they have access to all necessary information about our products, including updates, photos and promotional materials. I also monitor sales performance and collaborate with my sales team to address market trends and customer demands. I particularly enjoy to occasionally visit stores, assess the in-store performance of Mr Organic and other brands, and take part to trade shows. In addition to our work responsibilities, it is important for our small and diverse team to take breaks and come together over shared meals or social activities (like a beer at the pub!).
“The food business is a complicated and significant sector that is crucial to society and necessitates a broad variety of skills and knowledge”
Tell us how you went about applying for your job: The process was fairly straightforward. In October 2022, I reached out to our key account manager on LinkedIn, which led to an initial interview with our CEO and commercial director. After the interview, they invited me to visit the Islington office and meet the rest of the team. Following the visit, I felt confident that I would be a good fit for the team and hoped they shared this sentiment. A week later, I received the good news that I had been invited to join the Mr Organic family!
What’s the best part about working for a food company? One of the things I am most passionate about is meeting like-minded individuals who are dedicated to working with exceptional products and developing innovative projects. I am constantly inspired by the opportunity to grow our range with our customers and be part of the evolution of the market. I am also always excited to participate in tastings to further my knowledge and appreciation of food.
And what’s the biggest misconception people have about working in food & drink? One of the most common misunderstandings regarding careers in the food business is that they are simple or not serious choices. The food business, however, is a complicated and significant sector that is crucial to society and necessitates a broad variety of skills and knowledge. Everything from cultivating, gathering and processing raw materials to producing, promoting and distributing completed goods is included. In addition, it necessitates understanding of laws governing food safety, supply chain management and customer service, among other things. For individuals who are enthusiastic about food and having a great influence on people’s lives, working in the food sector may be tough but also incredibly gratifying.
What advice would you give to other young people looking to get into the food & drink industry? To succeed in the food and drink industry, it is important to be genuinely passionate about your products and act as an ambassador. Continuously learning about your market and staying up to date on the latest trends is also crucial. If you are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about your products, it will be easier to convince others of their value.
What’s your ultimate career dream? I am eager to contribute to a shift towards more sustainable and organic food consumption, and to raise awareness about these options. I believe success in this role involves consistently bringing positive energy, demonstrating a sense of integrity, and driving organic growth on a daily basis. I am confident that by embracing these values, I can make a meaningful impact in my professional endeavours.
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