Graduate Program Experience: Arthur Martinet

From implementing a new SAP system to exploring Germany’s Black Forest, Arthur Martinet lifts the lid on his experience of Amcor’s Graduate Program.

I grew up in the French city of Lille, about 200km north of Paris, and completed a degree in Science in Industrial Engineering in Nantes and an Advanced Master’s in International Project Management in Paris. I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in industrial business – mostly because I had a passion for cars and the automotive industry.

It was while I was studying in Paris that I heard about the Amcor Graduate Program – I was immediately interested because I could see that it could lead me to a challenging role in supply chain that would otherwise take years to get to.

I’m currently in my third rotation on the program and am based in Freiburg, Germany. Although I’m now working as a supply chain project manager, the two roles I’m currently applying for are in France, so will take me back to the homeland. As well as Freiburg, I spent nine months in Sarrebourg (eastern France). I’ve loved learning about different cultures and the way business operates in different places; my outlook on life has really developed as a result.

My proudest achievement since joining the program has probably been the implementation of a new SAP system for sales orders, procurement and forecast management. As I wasn’t going to be a system user, I had to share my knowledge with daily users – demand managers and supply chain managers. It was tough, but ultimately hugely rewarding.

Despite being based in Freiburg, my German isn’t perhaps as good as it should be – most of my colleagues speak perfect English! Freiburg itself is pretty nice; it’s near the Black Forest so it’s a great place for getting out in the fresh air and there are lots of activities on offer.

The first month of the Graduate Program was challenging. We’re given a lot of autonomy in our placements – but you soon work out who and where your support system is (both on the local site and at Amcor’s headquarters in Zurich). One thing I’ve learnt over the past 18 months is flexibility around how I position myself when I arrive in a new team – a great skill to have in any business.

If you’re reading this and thinking the program sounds like it’s something you’d like to join, I’d advise you to get ready for a hands-on learning experience. The opportunity to travel and change functions every six months is brilliant, as is the fact that this program propels you into great roles within a global business.