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Mondelēz Malaysia's 2017 growth plan: Focus on skills and experience

On the back of a successful 2016, this year, Mondelēz Malaysia expects a greater focus on recruiting, retaining and empowering top talent as part of its long term growth strategy.

Part of the global snacking powerhouse Mondelēz International, Mondelēz Malaysia has 3 plants and a headquarter based in the country. It recognises the need for talent to scale its business and deliver success in Malaysia. Employing over 1,100 people nationwide, the company is also working towards building the country as a talent hub for its operation in Southeast Asia.

According to a press statement detailing the firm's 2016 revenue and 2017 growth plan,  Mondelēz Malaysia has in place continued investments to drive initiatives that enable the right blend of skills and experience for employees.

Speaking to Human Resources, Chua Chai Ping, human resource director, Mondelēz Malaysia, added, “The initiatives that we have in place are in line with our global goal of delivering top-tier financial performance and making Mondelēz a Great Place to Work. When employees join the Mondelēz Malaysia family, they become part of a connected community where we have fun while we work, celebrate each other’s wins and support each other even when times are tough."

One such initiative include the 'Mondelēz International University', an online global learning programme to enhance leadership and functional skills.

At the same time, the maker of iconic brands including Oreo, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Jacob’s and Twisties, also extends its commitment in building the next generation of talent through iTaste,- Mondelēz Malaysia’s Graduate Trainee program with the aim to attract and retain outstanding talents that have both functional and leadership competencies.

This initiative involves an individually-tailored 12-month program designed to develop and nurture highly talented graduates through experiential learning and to provide exposure to the company’s business functions and operations.

The opportunity for growth does not stop at the graduates’ level. As part of the Mondelēz International group that operates in 165 countries, the company provides opportunities for its Malaysian employees to work in other Southeast Asian offices and hold regional roles.

ALSO READ: Q&A with Atul Khosla, Mondelēz International

Swadheen Sharma, managing director of Mondelēz Malaysia, said: "At Mondelēz, we embrace a proven equation for success in our people development.

"70% is through on-the-job experience, while another 20% is developed through mentoring and coaching. The remaining 10% comes through high-quality programmes. And encapsulating all these efforts is the creation of an appealing culture with a great sense of belonging among our colleagues," he explained.

The company also takes an active role in pushing for gender equality by deepening its support towards female employees across all levels.

In an effort to create a community that embraces diversity, the company aims to provide the necessary resources to help all staff perform at their best. Every year, Mondelēz Malaysia organises an extended month-long programme centred on growth development, recognition and wellness, in conjunction with International Women’s Day. As of today, Mondelēz Malaysia’s leadership team is made up of 40% women.

In addition to developing its people, the firm places an equal priority on fun, organising quarterly activities under its 'Culture Club' as an appreciation for its employees’ contributions. Activities range from out-of-office ones such as a day out at the bowling alley, as well as in-office programmes such as the artisan coffee-making competition held among staff last year.

READ MORE: How Facebook, Singtel, and more are enabling women in the workplace

In 2016, Mondelēz Malaysia recorded revenue of RM750 million -  the company’s best performing year since its transition from Kraft Foods five years ago. Amidst challenging market conditions, Mondelēz Malaysia saw close to 7% increase in revenue from the previous year.

The confectionery, food, and beverage company also reported that it currently ranked number one in the biscuits category with a market share of more than 25%. Additionally, Mondelēz achieved significant growth for its chocolates, further consolidating its number two share position in this category. The company also has number two share position in Salty Snacks and a sizeable Candy business.

Sharma said: “2016 was a remarkable year for us because we did extremely well in various aspects of our business and organisation. We delivered top-tier financial performance and have grown even closer to becoming a great place to work. Our vision is to become the world’s greatest snacking company and we’ll get there by living our purpose of creating moments of joy for our consumers, business partners, community and colleagues.”

“Over the long term, we’re confident that we can deliver sustainable, profitable, top-tier growth. We cannot discount the fact that there will be challenges ahead but as a business we are prepared to navigate them by focusing on accelerating our core brands, growing our people and deepening our impact in the community in areas where we can make a real difference,” he added.

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