Kim Eadie
Degree: BA, Management, IT and Languages, University of York
Joined ICI 2005
Currently a Account Executive in the B&Q Customer Business Team
Why did you choose ICI?
I chose to spend an internship with ICI during the Summer of 2004 on the grounds that I was looking to gain marketing experience from a leading company that had a strong portfolio of products. My summer spent with ICI gave me great exposure to the Dulux brand and I really enjoyed the working culture the company offered. I returned as a commercial graduate in 2005 excited in knowing that I'd be placed in a real job from day 1, and have real opportunities to develop myself within the business.
What have you been doing since then?
My first placement was as Assistant Brand Manager within the Dulux Retail Team. Over the 14 months I helped to launch three new products into the UK market as well as managing Dulux's one coat proposition "Once" and the UK retail website. I also had ownership of Dulux's experiential marketing by organising 3 successful Colour Chemistry Road shows across the UK.
I've now moved into my Commercial Sales role as the Account Executive on the B&Q Customer Team. Working in the team that manages the relationship with ICI's biggest customer has given me fantastic commercial exposure and really helped me strengthen my business acumen and market awareness.
What are your responsibilities?
As an Account Executive I help support across all four ICI brands. I am responsible for managing the publicity budget and develop all in-store media for our products and sell them in to the customer for approval. I manage a collection of project teams which are normally focused on getting new ranges into store. I work closely with B&Q's Marketing Team to get exposure and advertising placed in their in-store magazine and organise our regular road shows for B&Q store staff. There is also all the EPOS analysis and day to day admin you'd expect from such a large and valued customer.
What skills do you need for that?
Working in Sales you have to be able to work at a fast pace as customer demands continually change. Good organisational skills and commercial awareness are vital along with the ability to withstand pressure.
Overall, are you enjoying life at ICI?
I've had a fantastic time working for ICI. The positions I've held and the projects I've worked on have exceeded what I expected from any graduate role. Having exposure to both Marketing and Sales has made me commercially strong and opened up a wealth of opportunities in both functions for when I complete the graduate scheme in June 2007.
