Building Sweet Success: How Laura Murphy Grew Her Career within sales at Mondelēz

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

At Mondelēz International, career journeys often begin with a single step—and sometimes, that step grows into something extraordinary. Laura Murphy, now serving as Director, Kroger Bars & Confections, began her journey with Mondelēz in 2009 as a Region Administrative Assistant.

Over the years, she embraced opportunities across sales, training, customer development, and category management, steadily building her expertise and leadership skills. Today, Laura leads with the same curiosity, resilience, and drive that fueled her from the start. We sat down with her to learn more about her inspiring path, the lessons she’s carried along the way, and her advice for those looking to grow their careers with us.

You’ve been with Mondelēz since 2009, starting as a Region Administrative Assistant. What motivated you to grow your career here and what are some key skills or mindsets that helped you navigate your growth?

When I was recruited to work at Kraft Foods (Now Mondelēz) the Cincinnati Region Vice President told me he didn't have a job for me; he had a career & he followed through on that commitment. We have had such tremendous leaders that I aspired to be as I grew my career with the organization. I quickly understood the value of taking assignments in different functions outside your area of expertise, raising your hand to help with special projects, and relocating. In doing so, this allowed me to build my network, exposure and capabilities. Furthermore, being adaptable and open to change has been crucial in navigating the dynamic nature of the business. Embracing continuous learning and development has also enabled me to stay ahead in the fast-paced environment of the sales industry.

Looking back at your journey across multiple roles, which transition was the most challenging, and how did you navigate it?

When I transitioned from the District Manager role in the field to Insights and Analytics, I was completely outside my comfort zone. I went from a role managing a team of Sales Representatives helping with in-store execution, to a desk job pulling numbers to build a story. However, you have to take the jobs that scare you as they are the ones that will change you. I approached every mistake as an opportunity to get better, every new learning as a way to build a new competency. Build a career that allows you to gain experience across numerous functions and teams as it will make you a better leader of the overall business. I also sought mentorship from colleagues who had expertise in analytics, which helped me adapt more quickly. Over time, this experience broadened my perspective on how data can drive strategic decisions. This transition ultimately strengthened my problem-solving skills and increased my confidence in tackling unfamiliar challenges.

As a leader today, how do you inspire and guide your team?

I believe that great leaders stand in front when there's blame and behind when there's praise. Driving a culture of trust, teamwork, and feedback for improvement is critical to support development and employee engagement. I always ensure my team is clear on the "why" behind every ask and feels valued and heard with their feedback. When you have a people first mentality, anything is possible.

The confectionery and snacking industry is fast paced. What changes have you observed over the years?

Everyone has to eat, but what they are choosing to eat continues to evolve and change. A focus on health and wellness has always played a critical role in the grocery industry, but the trend has changed year over year. From low calorie packs to now high protein focus, ingredient benefits continue to play a crucial role in how we sell and commercialize our products. Inflation has unfortunately impacted the cost of goods, creating constant changes to our revenue growth management strategy on pricing and promotion. Lastly, digital and technology have completely transformed the industry. I used to leave messages to my merchandisers through a phone recording application, as email & text were not prevalent. Purchasing your groceries was only feasible through in-store, now consumers can get whatever they want, whenever they need through pick-up and delivery. While the industry continues to change, snacking has always been relevant. Finding ways to get them to snack more will continue to be our on-going challenge.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their career here, what would it be?

Lean into the uncomfortable, take the roles that scare you most. Relocate early & often to build your network. Learn to anticipate the needs of your team. Ask lots of questions. Raise your hand for special projects. Remember you don't have to have a title to be a leader.

How do you balance ambition with personal well-being in such a dynamic industry?

There is no such thing as I don't have enough time. You don't have the right priorities. I start and finish my week outlining the critical internal and external tasks needed to be completed over the course of the next month. From there I prioritize the top three initiatives I need to complete for the following week & I own my calendar to give me the space to complete them. One of my mentors always told me, "Be where your feet are." I am clear with my team on when I am in "mom mode" running the kids to school or dropping them at practice. In creating a culture of flexibility, it allows my team to have open and honest conversations & prioritize important personal needs. Lastly, don't forget to take care of yourself. I wake up early every morning to workout, to read, to enjoy a moment of reflection & gratitude.