#GradStories Eimear Hurley, Global Relationship Management Graduate at Bord Bia

What does a typical day look like for you?

As part of the global relationship management team, our role is to manage the relationship with customers across food service retail and manufacturing channels. So essentially our role is to put across to industry and to colleagues what's top of mind when it comes to sourcing Irish food and drink.

I work across a variety of projects, and I can definitely say that no two days are the same. I typically start the day off by checking my emails and reviewing my schedule. I may have a mid-morning meeting that will require planning and then other tasks throughout the day might include liaising with buyers, organising networking events with customers and clients and working with other teams in the organisation on retailer campaigns.

What advice would you have for a student or graduate looking to pursue this career?

I would say to a student or graduate looking to pursue a career in the Irish food industry that college is a great time for learning and exploring. If you can engage with food societies within your college or get a part-time job in a café or retailer, go for it. That's where you learn about the types of roles in the industry and what you like and what you don't like.

I'd also say to take advantage of any opportunity you have to practice your interpersonal skills like communication. These skills are required throughout the industry.

What do you love most about your job?

I'm lucky enough to work across a variety of projects, so no two days are the same. Another aspect I do love about the job is the learning and development culture. Bord Bia is an extremely supportive working environment, and all the employees are engaged in the program. We're provided with so many opportunities to take ownership and leadership in different projects.

I can't not mention the master's degree that we complete as part of the programme. We complete a master’s in global business practice at Smurfit Business School. This is another great aspect of the program.

You also get to develop a network of peers within the programme. 36 of us started together and built up a great friendship and support group.

There are also opportunities within the business to travel and to go overseas and work. You get to work with different offices and different people. At the minute I’m working with our German office and we're working on a business development event that is going to take place during the Internorga trade show. It's really cool and it's just a really amazing experience. What's not to love.