What it does: Largest producer of top-shelf alcoholic beverages
Staff stats: 33,000 globally, over 400 in Australia
The good bits: Fantastic company culture
The not so good bits: Fast pace
Hiring grads with degrees in: Engineering, Maths, IT & Computer Sciences; Finance, Accounting, Economics & Business Administration; Health & Medical Sciences
The Diageo story
If you’ve recently partaken of a glass of Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, J&B, Captain Morgan, Hennessy, Gordon’s, Seagram’s, Pimm’s, Tanqueray, Baileys, Guinness, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot or Bundaberg Rum, you can thank Diageo for the providing the resulting buzz.
Diageo came into being in 1997. It was a result of the merger between Guinness, the Irish brewer with a history stretching back to the 16th century, and Grand Metropolitan. Grand Metropolitan was a conglomerate that started out as a British hotel company in the 1930s before beginning to snap up (among many other businesses) various brewers, distillers and winemakers. It also acquired a 34 per cent stake in the Moët Hennessy drinks division of French luxury goods behemoth LVMH. Diageo Australasia covers Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Staff are based in Australia. Diageo is best known in this part of the world for Bundaberg Rum, which it bought in 2000. Diageo has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary one on the New York Stock Exchange. Its products are sold in more than 180 countries. Headquartered in London, the company had revenues of £15.6 billion (A$27.7 billion) in 2016.
The culture
Diageo has created a diverse and inclusive culture, with shared values and a common purpose. A culture that facilitates its employees around the world to reach their full potential and play their part in the success of our business. Diageo does not discriminate on race, religion, colour, ethnicity, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression or marital status. The company is a world-leader in gender diversity. It has more women in senior roles than any FTSE 100 company, with females making up 44 percent of its board directors and 40 percent of its executive leaders. The company supports a number of employee groups for staff who are female, LGBT or of a particular ethnic heritage.
Social contribution
Diageo aspires to be one of the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world. It seeks to achieve this goal through making a contribution in three areas.
First, it attempts to reduce alcohol abuse. It does this through marketing its products responsibly, supporting programs that prevent and reduce alcohol misuse and working with others to… change people’s attitudes and behaviour. In 2017, the company helped fund 264 programs throughout the world that encouraged people to drink sensibly. Second, it helps build thriving communities. It does this through enabling entrepreneurship, employability and skills, improving access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene in developing nations, empowering women and promoting sustainable agriculture. Third, the company seeks to safeguard natural resources by working to reduce carbon, packaging, water and waste in our operations and throughout our supply chain.
Those doing Diageo’s grad programs have the opportunity to take part in “Corporate Social Responsibility projects that make a real difference to the communities we operate in”.
The recruitment process
Diageo seeks to employ “bright, collaborative” people. Ones who are “genuine and inspiring” and “who can bring our values to life and create the conditions for everyone to succeed”. This hiring strategy has resulted in a mix of vibrant, motivated people working together to deliver great performance in an environment that allows them to flourish. Currently Diageo Australia only offer graduate employment, however they are looking to offer internships in the future. It does offer three-year-long grad programs in Marketing, Commercial (Business Development & Account Management) and Supply Chain & Logistics. You can register your interest in these programs on our website.
If you are interested in Marketing or Supply Chain & Logistics, you will need a relevant degree. However, if you’re interested in the Commercial Graduate Program, Diageo accept applications from all fields of study. Whatever degree you have, you’ll need a 3.25 GPA equivalent. You’ll also need to be fluent in English and have the right to work in Australia. Where it’s relevant to the role, you’ll also need a driver’s licence. The company looks for grads who are “full of energy, enthusiasm, and optimism” and who follow their instincts and stand up for what they believe is right.
All Diageo’s grad programs offer the opportunity to “develop your functional and leadership skills through a combination of formal training, mentoring and coaching and, most importantly, on-the-job experience”. The programs involve working on challenging programs and making “a real contribution to the business while building a global network of great relationships”. The application process has four stages. First, you’ll need to apply online, which will involve supplying some basic personal details and answering a handful of questions. The next step is completing two online questionnaires. The penultimate stage is a half-hour video interview, which will revolve around whether you will be a good fit for the company and business area you’ve applied to work in. If you make it to the final hurdle, you’ll be invited to spend a day at one of the company’s assessment centres. Here you will take part in “several activities… where you can show us your creativity, passion and teamwork skills.”
Remuneration
Diageo is big on celebrating and rewarding the efforts of its staff. It promises “a competitive reward package that takes into account employee wellbeing and the importance of a positive work-life balance”.
Grads report being impressed by their starting salary which increases frequently throughout the year. There is also the opportunity to earn hefty bonuses. Perks include an $800 a year product allowance, free tickets to sporting and cultural events, getting a 3pm early mark on Friday during the summer months, a free bar onsite which you and your friends can access on Thursdays and Fridays after work. Diageo also have a run club which sponsors employees for events such as the City to Surf, plus much more.
Career prospects
Diageo invests heavily in development and training programs that stretch and challenge people and help them reach their full potential. You’ll be expected to take responsibility for driving your career but you’ll get plenty of support to progress, which will include “continuous and constructive feedback”.
The vibe of the place
You’ll probably be working at the McMahon Point headquarters in an office with sweeping views of Sydney Harbour, as well an office bar and rooftop area. The dress code is relaxed, you’ll find your colleagues friendly and your managers accessible. You’ll be working on big brands for one of the world’s most respected companies. Plus, you’ll never run short of access to some of the worlds best beverages. What’s not to love?
"DIAGEO Australasia comprises Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands. Our presence in New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands is represented through third party suppliers – Lion in New Zealand and Trade Winds in the South Pacific Islands. Most of the information here relates to the Australia, our biggest market, and where our team is based.
In Australia, DIAGEO is the leading premium spirits company and the proud owner of the Bundaberg Rum Distilling Company. Our success is built on rich Australian heritage. From the ingenuity of the Queensland sugar millers who turned molasses into Bundaberg Rum in 1888 to the creators of Australia's first premix drink - UDL - in the 1960s, we stand in the shoulders of giants of our industry and act with the same entrepreneurial spirits and determination to succeed.
Our key brands comprise Bundaberg Rum – the ingenious Aussie Spirit; Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky; Smirnoff vodka; Baileys Irish Cream liqueur; Tanqueray gin and our Reserve Brands portfolio which includes Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Ciroc vodka and Zacapa rum.
Our talented team of more than 400 people operate from eight locations around Australia, including two manufacturing sites – our Huntingwood facility in western Sydney, and the historic Bundaberg Rum Distillery in Bundaberg, Queensland. Our head office is located at McMahons Point, Sydney. Approximately 38% of our employees are in the commercial function, 42% in supply and the remaining 20% work in other functions across the business."
Sales Operations Executive at DIAGEO
Bachelor of Business (International Business) at Bond University