Alumni

Josefine Rottmann

Career Path: Senior Manager Global Logistics Development, Arla Foods
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Where are you doing now?

I am Senior Manager Global Logistics Development at Arla Foods, one of the world's leading dairy companies. I am currently based in the global headquarters in Denmark.

How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals / give your career an edge?

My degree from Northumbria definitely gave my study path and my CV an edge! MFL is a great programme with dedicated staff and very interesting courses. And the business and management classes I took at Newcastle Business School made it even more valuable. Also, my year at Northumbria was part of a tri-national Bachelor programme that took me through Germany, France and the UK. So my studies in Newcastle added to my international profile and have helped me tremendously in getting ahead in my career.

What was the best thing about your course?

The lecturers! They were very dedicated, knew their subjects super well and made the classes fun.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?

The great atmosphere on campus!

What top tips would you give to our 2020 graduates when taking up their first position?

When looking for your first job after graduating, really think about what kind of company you want to be working for, in what kind of industry. What company values fit with yours? I was so lucky to secure a position at Arla Foods, one of the world's leading dairy companies - which is where I still work today. Besides Arla being a really great and fun place to work, I have come to realise over the years (and especially this year during the Coronavirus crisis) how important it is to me to work for a company with strong and honest values and a great vision and mission, which they truly stand for - and which I can 100% identify with. As a food company which is owned by our farmers and driven by long-term development, not being profit-hungry but rather being very conscious about the impact we have on our consumers and the environment is something we really care about. It is something that has proven to be of significant value to our consumers during times of crisis. I find nothing more motivating than working for a company that stands for something I identify with and am proud of. So that's my advice: find a company whose values fit with yours and who you would be proud to work for!

From securing your graduate role, what are your most significant career highlights?

Since joining Arla's Graduate Trainee Programme, I have worked as a Project Manager in Finance for about three years, before taking the step from Finance into Supply Chain, where I now work as a Senior Manager in Global Logistics Development. So besides moving "up", I would say what I am very proud of is changing from one function to another, showing that you do not need to choose your area or path from the get-go but rather that you can grow and excel in various functions and roles, if you are open to learning and challenging yourself.