Intern Spotlight: Jessica Breckenridge – HEB Customer Insights

Jessica Breckenridge

Position: Customer Insights Intern

Majors: BHP, Marketing

Company: H-E-B Grocery Company, San Antonio, Texas

Topics: Brand Design, Virtual Platforms

 

 

What were you doing in your role?

I interned in the Customer Insights Center, H-E-B’s internal research department. I worked with the Packaging and Brand Design Manager to investigate questions around H-E-B’s Own Brand products by brainstorming research questions, fielding and documenting studies with customers, and sharing findings with key stakeholders across the company. Apart from that, my primary project this summer was to spearhead the search for digital efficiency solutions within our department. I focused on virtual platforms and recruitment strategies and had the opportunity to lead the search from early exploration to the beginning rounds of testing. I developed platform criteria, evaluated and negotiated with top market research vendors, and collaborated with teams across H-E-B to map use cases and implementation paths.

Biggest lesson you learned, or ways you grew from this internship?

I learned that I can succeed, thrive even, outside of my comfort zone. Prior to this internship, I had no knowledge about digital platforms, and yet I ended up leading the search for one. I had to embrace my learning role and ask questions constantly. Luckily, H-E-B is very welcoming to curiosity, and while many of my questions were simply for me to learn the ropes, some of them also ended up sparking some pretty important conversations in the department. I felt excited and encouraged by the amount of responsibility I was given.

What did you like most about the internship?

The people, hands down. H-E-B’s company culture is felt at every level and every interaction. My fellow interns were kind, enthusiastic peers and my management teams made incredible mentors. The Customer Insights Center valued me as a true member of the team, welcoming me into the heart of the business and challenging me to perform my best. The respect they gave me pushed me to pour my energy into my role and explore any question that crossed my mind. I was also able to learn a lot about how I work and about what types of teams and leaders best fit that work style.

Anything else you want to point out to other students about your internship experience?

Be open to opportunity. This summer took me from marketing and research (makes sense) into product management, data security, and law & privacy (never saw this coming). I followed this path with inquisitiveness and an open mind, and although it wasn’t what I expected to be doing, the breadth of exposure allowed me to really picture a defined career for myself for the first time.

Summer Internship | Student Spotlight: Michelle Biancardi – H-E-B Grocery

DSC_2460editedCompany: H-E-B Grocery
Position: Procurement Intern

What is your major, and how do you think what you’ve learned at McCombs has helped you with this internship?

I interned this summer with H-E-B Grocery Co. in their Grocery Procurement and Merchandising department. I worked with the team that stocks the inner aisles of the store on a project related to the upcoming holiday season. I filled a cross-departmental communications role to develop tools to aid alignment between the corporate and in-store teams. I drew on much of the BA324 Business Communications curriculum as I met with partners from all parts of the company to develop materials for communicating new initiatives and key action items.

What is unique about the company and culture of H-E-B Grocery?

As a consumer I had experienced H-E-B’s commitment to their “Because People Matter” motto, but this slogan was something I was pleasantly surprised to find essential to their corporate culture and a key motivation among both Partners who were just starting their careers with H-E-B and those well into their 30+ years of experience. The confidence with which my teammates spoke of the company, and of its commitment to the communities it serves, spoke volumes.

What advice do you have for other students who are recruiting for internships?

I learned over the summer that the grocery retail industry is wide in operations, but its circles run much tighter than you might think. Networking is a must in this industry and a fantastic opportunity to learn how others have grown their careers within it. Reaching out to recruiters to discuss your interest and desire to work in grocery is essential, as is attendance at as many recruiting events as possible.

Did the internship meet or supersede your expectations? 

My experience with H-E-B far exceeded my expectations. It’s a company of great people doing great things for Texas communities.

Alumni Spotlight: Samantha Darnell, Class of 2013

Samantha DarnellSamantha Darnell, BHP ’13, is an eCommerce Inventory Analyst for H-E-B Grocery. Samantha triple majored in BHP, Supply Chain Management, and Spanish Literature. She has used her supply chain management knowledge in her role to guide vendors, work with various teams and analyze inventory. H-E-B is currently recruiting students for 2016 summer internships. Internship postings can be found on the H-E-B website until September 25. BHP will also be hosting a coffee chat with Samantha on September 8. Register for that event here.

 

What specific projects are you working on as an inventory analyst?

I’m currently working on the eCommerce project which is looking at different ways customers could order product online, potentially as alternatives to the traditional trip to the grocery store. On the supply chain side, I’m helping to design the systems and processes that could support this project. It’s exciting to get in on a project on the ground floor and create processes I might use in the future. The grocery retail industry is changing quickly so we never have a boring day.

Previously, I managed inventory and forecasts for several categories including cosmetics, skin and sun care, and chips, cookies, and crackers. We rotated regularly so inventory analysts could be exposed to different types of products. Inventory analysts work closely with the buying team, that is responsible for meeting with the suppliers and determining which items we will sell. Analysts then ensure that those items stay stocked.

How does your role support the company as a whole?

Supply chain and inventory analysts’ goal is to have the right products at the right place at the right time. In doing this, we are continually trying to maximize our in stock levels at our stores and minimize our inventory, which keeps our operating costs low. In addition to in-stock levels, we also plan for promotions and special events as well as new and discontinued item transitions.

Has working in supply chain been what you expected or different?

One of the first things I learned about supply chain in the real world was how much our modern supply chain relies on technology. In school, there is a distinction between Supply Chain and MIS majors, but realistically that distinction is much less clear. As supply chains continue to become more and more complicated, supply chain professionals are going to have to rely more on technology and become comfortable learning, and potentially helping to design, new systems.

What are the unique challenges of working in inventory for the grocery industry?

The first challenge is customer expectation, myself included. If I walk into a grocery store, I want every item on my list to be in stock, and I get frustrated if it isn’t. Customers expect consistently high in stock levels. Perishable products provide additional challenges;  we must forecast as accurately as possible for products with shorter lives. H-E-B tries to not keep a lot of excess inventory, especially on perishable products. If there is an ice storm in the Northeast and our orders are delayed, our supply chain has to be nimble and flexible in our planning to account for these unforeseen delays.

When you go grocery shopping now, are you looking at everything in the store through a different lens, knowing what has gone into getting the products on the shelves?

Definitely. My trips to H-E-B are about twice as long as they were before I started working for H-E-B. I like to look at the categories that I am managing to see how the shelves look, and to see if we are in stock or if there is anything out of stock that is a surprise to me. Sometimes I write down products that are out of stock that I didn’t think would be. Even though I know how hard it is to get products to the shelves, I still get frustrated when I can’t buy something I am looking for.

You completed an internship with H-E-B while you were in school. What about that experience led you to accept a full-time position with the company?

As an intern, even though it was only a ten-week program, I had a crash course in the H-E-B supply chain practices. H-E-B has a large supply chain organization with many different facets. As a student, I didn’t understand how complicated a retail supply chain was until I experienced it through my internship. I had such a positive experience, because it is an incredibly supportive culture. H-E-B really does have an “open door policy” even though the partners and leaders are very busy. As an intern, I had exposure to any partner or leader that I wanted to interact with, and that experience was invaluable.

I also felt that my work and recommendations were respected and that the leaders paid attention to the work I did even though I was just an intern. Several of the recommendations that I made were actually implemented. This has continued in my work there. I have been able to move around and work on different projects. The fact that I am able to have this experience with the ecommerce team is pretty awesome.

What do you love most about your job and about working for H-E-B?

There are so many opportunities with this company, and my leaders have always made it very clear that they are invested in my long term career goals as well as my personal goals. It is also great to work for a company that is so well respected in the community. When I tell people I work for H-E-B, most people say, “I love H-E-B! That is the best grocery store.” H-E-B does so much for the community, and it is nice to be part of such a positive work environment. Partners work hard, but work-life balance is also very important to the company. I have always felt that from the top-down it is expected that partners should maintain a good work-life balance.

 

Internship Spotlight: Samantha Darnell – Supply Chain for H-E-B

Over the summer many BHP students spent their time in internships, learning more about what they want to do after graduation, and what will be expected of them when they join the workforce. For the next six days we will be spotlighting some of our students’ internship experiences, and helping current students learn more about how these students landed their summer internships.

Senior Samantha Darnell is a triple major in BHP, Supply Chain Management, and Spanish. We spoke with her about her summer internship at H-E-B, a supermarket chain with over 315 stores in Texas and northern Mexico.

How did you find out about your internship?

I learned about H-E-B’s internship program at the McCombs corporate sponsorship dinner two years ago. I had received the HEB scholarship in food distribution and met HEB representatives at that function who told me about the opportunity.

What do you think set you apart from other candidates and led to you getting the position over other candidates?

I believe I was selected due to the nature of my interest in food, my understanding of H-E-B’s role in that industry, and my desire to learn about their supply chain, specifically. My particular interest in the food industry lies in the opportunity for grocery stores and efficient food distribution to help eradicate our nation’s food deserts. H-E-B is the perfect example of a large retailer that commits to doing what is right for the communities it serves while maintaining impressive financial results. It can only achieve these results with an efficient supply chain operation which is a main reason I was drawn to the company. During the interview process, I made my specific interest in grocery very clear so they could understand that this position, for me, would be more than just an internship I needed for credit.

What were you doing for your internship?

I was working in supply chain, specifically the Forecast and Replenishment Department. My specific project involved analyzing the multi-echelon transfer process, essentially the transfer of products among H-E-B’s regional warehouses. I was studying the overall process, identifying opportunities, and modeling inventory and cost implications. Ultimately, I presented my recommendations to senior leadership.

What did you enjoy most from the experience?

I was really impressed with the openness of H-E-B’s partners and, frankly, their willingness to help and to teach. If I wanted to tour the bakery plant or the export warehouse, all it took was an email and I was welcomed with open arms. During the summer I visited multiple warehouses, manufacturing facilities, stores, and went on a truck ride. These experiences were so valuable because they helped me to understand how the different parts of the supply chain fit together and allowed me to see my project work in action.

What were the key takeaways for you?

One of the most important takeaways from this position is that I now know I made the right decision about studying Supply Chain. Selecting your other business major is often a leap of faith but, thank goodness, this summer has shown me I chose correctly. Another key takeaway is simply the complexity of a retail supply chain. Even though H-E-B “only” operates in Texas and Mexico, beginning to understand the inner workings of their supply chain and comprehend the magnitude of the operation has 1) made me appreciate every item I see on a shelf while I’m grocery shopping and, 2) reinforced the value of studying supply chain. The supply chain world is only going to grow in size and complexity and this internship has allowed me to see that first-hand.

How do you think this internship will help you with your future career goals?

This internship has positioned me well for the real world. I can now say that I have actual supply chain experience and have my project results to back it up. I can also say confidently that for at least the near future, I want to continue with supply chain in the food industry. I always knew that getting food from one place to another wasn’t easy but I now understand to a greater extent how hard, and important, it actually is. Affordable, accessible, safe, and high quality food is difficult to continually provide your customers, but difficult pursuits are often quite rewarding.