Women in Agriculture: Ariana’s Journey

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what first sparked your interest in agriculture and the food industry?

I grew up on a soft fruit farm based in Herefordshire, so I was pretty much born and raised amongst strawberries and tractors. My summers usually consisted of picking fruit, including during Covid-19, when I led a team of 90 British pickers harvesting raspberries. I think I have always appreciated the effort and care that goes into every item of fresh produce on the supermarket shelves, having been immersed in it from such a young age. I think the agricultural and food industry is one of the most fulfilling and challenging industries to be in, surrounded by some of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met.

What made you apply to the MDS programme?

I went to the University of Edinburgh and studied Business and Geography, as I knew I was more interested in the commercial side of the food industry and wanted to keep as many career options open as possible. Once I had finished my degree, I still wasn’t sure in which company or in what type of role. The MDS programme provided the ideal opportunity to trial different roles and live across the UK and Europe before I made a more concrete decision.

Can you talk us through your journey so far on the programme, including your secondments and what you’ve enjoyed most?

I started my MDS journey working as a National Buying Assistant in Aldi’s Head Office in Atherstone, over a 12-month secondment. I was the Buying Assistant for Peppers, Chillies, Cucumbers and Aubergines. I really enjoyed being right at the centre of the action as I learnt how all the links in the fresh produce supply chain came together, as well as their impact on the end consumer. I worked with suppliers from all over the world and liaised with various Aldi teams like Global Sourcing, QCs at depots, forecasting and marketing, and would often do store visits to see how our products looked on the shelves. It was a great opportunity to use some of my experience from the growing side to connect with my suppliers whilst combining this with a retailer’s competitive and commercial perspective.

I then moved to Syngenta’s Global Headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, working in their Marketing and Sales Excellence team for 6 months. This secondment came with its own set of challenges and adjustments to an even larger corporate setting. I had to learn how to adapt my ways of working within a bigger company and find my niche within the team. I mainly supported the publishing of learning content for the thousands of Marketing and Sales Professionals across the global business. Alongside this, I particularly enjoyed being involved in a series of AI projects and helping to build a map of the various initiatives across the Global Commercial Excellence department. In an age where AI seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongues, it was a great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of what this looks like in such a key and innovative player in the Crop Protection industry.

For my final secondment, I am just about to start at G’s in Ely in the Commercial team, as an Account Executive. I’m really looking forward to returning to a family-run business and understanding more of the supplier side again. It will definitely feel like a full-circle moment as I finish the scheme, becoming one of the people I used to talk to as a buyer at Aldi.

Have there been any standout moments, achievements, or projects so far that you’re particularly proud of?

My standout moment has to be presenting different Pepper trials to Directors during my secondment at Aldi. This included White Paprika peppers from Hungary (I’m half-Hungarian, so this felt like a particular win) and Crunchino peppers as a Halloween option. I was extremely nervous before my first presentation, and I had to make sure I was proposing commercially-viable prices and volumes. However, it was a great learning experience to analyse the data, mock up the labels, and practise my presenting skills. I will never forget the smiles on my manager’s and the Directors’ faces when I showed them my Hungarian peppers.

What skills or experiences do you feel you’ve gained that you’ll take forward into your future career?

I would like to take my communication skills forward into my future career. My MDS journey has really highlighted how every company is different, but you can find your own niche and bring your strengths to a team. Whether that’s if you’re an Excel whizz or a real wordsmith. I have learnt that I love building connections with people both in my team and externally, and how distilling their various inputs can bring quality to my insights on a task or problem. As a trainee, you’re never the smartest or most experienced person in the room, but you have the advantage of bringing a fresh, wider-view perspective, piecing together everyone else’s roles. I have enjoyed using the trainee role to understand the bigger picture and offer new ideas in my secondments.

What advice would you give to other women considering a career in agriculture or thinking about applying to MDS?

My biggest piece of advice for anyone, not just women, considering a career in agriculture is to look for a mentor within the industry. I have been lucky enough to have family and friends who have worked in the industry all their lives, doing some of the jobs that I’m considering too. Their guidance and perspective on your journey and skills are invaluable. Sometimes a simple ‘Did you know you’re really talented at …’ or ‘Have you ever noticed how you enjoy more … roles than … ones?’ can shed real light on your professional and personal development. If you don’t have anyone in mind, you can build connections during your secondments, take advantage of the coaching MDS offers, or use the Annual Conference and other events as opportunities to talk to people further along in their careers.

During my induction for MDS, I remember how Gretta said, ‘This will be a journey you won’t forget’, and she was absolutely right. However, all the doubts, fears and hopes about your secondments help to build the foundations of your career, making that journey worth it for everything you will take forward. Good luck!