Name: Oli Ballantine
Age: 25
Title: National account manager
Company & location: Days Brewing Co, London
Education: University of Leeds, BA Management
Why did you decide to go for a career in food? It’s such a fast-changing industry with new trends popping up all the time, it seemed like a really exciting and fun career choice. It’s the hub of all the best social interactions – there’s nothing better than going for a few beers with your mates or going for a meal somewhere you’ve seen recommended on Instagram. The UK food & drink scene has never been more on-trend. I got involved in food when I saw the opportunity to not only help build a brand but share and develop my own creative ideas during the process, which was so exciting!
Explain your job to us in a sentence (or two): I’m a national account manager at Days, focusing on the off-trade part of the business. My role involves working with our existing customers, wholesale partners and their teams to drive category growth and awareness, and provide all the right support to create the most memorable experience for everyone who is interacting with Days. We believe 0.0% beer should be the norm, so it’s also about getting our beers into new places and new occasions.
What does a typical day look like for you? I start the day focusing on the most valuable tasks, whether that’s a document, creating something which is needed for a customer, or making sure orders and supply is taken care of. Then it’s about being as customer-focused as possible, engaging with existing customers and their teams, or with potential new customers we’re looking to partner with. Nothing’s more important than interacting with someone over the phone or catching up in person, so I’ll try to fill my week with as much of this as possible. Oh, I’ll also have time to dish up Duncan Keith (Days co-founder) at table tennis.
Tell us how you went about applying for your job. I got my first two jobs in food through Young Foodies – they were great, and Chris Eyitayo who supported me in the process was a hero. I started working for a kid’s snack startup straight after uni and had three stages to the application. For both Proper and Days, I had two in-person interviews with the teams and founders. I’d recommend being prepared to sell the product, just in case someone throws you a bag of popcorn and asks you to sell it…
“We’re building the next big brands and having a lot of fun with our mates in the process – what’s not to like?”
What’s the best part about working for a food company? From my personal experience, it’s the culture and the teams wherever I’ve worked. There is an openness and support, but also a trust in your ability to make your own decisions, be creative and add your flair. I found it really helpful being told to be a builder, not a tenant. We’re building the next big brands and having a lot of fun with our mates in the process – what’s not to like?
And what’s the biggest misconception people have about working in food & drink? For me it’s that you have to join a graduate scheme to work your way up in the industry – absolutely nothing wrong with that, and there’s lots of benefits with the big grad schemes. But for me personally, I found so much benefit to starting in a startup/smaller business where you’re exposed to all aspects of the business and can help shape the direction and strategy. You’re at the start of something exciting, that you can directly help build.
What advice would you give to other young people looking to get into the food & drink industry? It’s where it’s at! Just look at all the food and drink trends, health and social trends too constantly being talked about. People will always need food and drink, and it’s always changing. I’d say look at some of the startups who are recruiting – you’ve got the chance to be one of the first people in a potentially huge brand. It will also expose you to the different departments and help find your niche.
What’s your ultimate career dream? To make Days the world’s next big beer brand! Sounds very X-Factor, but I’m excited to be on this journey with my mates and can’t wait to see what the future holds for the brand.
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