She Said Yes to the Unexpected: Wanda's Journey from Engineering Student to Brand Manager

Friday, June 19, 2026

Tell us a little about yourself - who you are, where you’re based, and what your current role looks like day to day?

I work at Mondelēz International in Sweden and since September 2025 my role is Brand Manager for Countlines & Refresh Beverages. In short, I'm responsible for everything related to my brands and products i.e. from packaging design and marketing strategy to new product launches and product changes. A big part of my job is project management, working cross-functionally with teams in R&D, production, logistics & sales. But I also work more creatively together with our agencies to create media communication, pack designs etc. Everything is connected, and I love that I get the full picture of how one decision ripples through the entire chain.

My specific category is Countlines - the smaller, grab-and-go chocolates that you can pick easily. Think Daim, Double Nougat and Japp. I also work with O’boy, which is part of the Refbev side of my portfolio. No two days look the same. One moment I am sitting in on a voiceover recording session for a commercial, giving creative direction, and next I am discussing technical capabilities together with the factory. That constant shift between creative and operational is what I love most.

You first came across Mondelēz through the Taste The Future Graduate Program so what made you apply, and what was the experience like?

I applied in autumn 2022, during my last year at Linköping University where I studied Industrial Engineering and Management - a mix of technology, mathematics, economics, and management. When I saw the job ad for the graduate program, my first thought was genuinely “Wow, what a cool chance to work with brands I’ve literally grown up with.” These products have been part of my life for as long as I can remember, so the opportunity felt almost too exciting to pass up.

The process had several steps: I submitted my CV and cover letter, then completed a personality test and a cognitive problem-solving test, followed by a digital interview, and finally an in-person assessment day at the office. But beyond the products being interesting, it was the people and the culture I experienced during that assessment day that really confirmed my decision. It felt incredibly welcoming- I just knew this was a group of people I wanted to work with.

You didn’t land the graduate role but Mondelēz saw your potential and offered you another position. How did that unfold?

About two weeks after the assessment day, I got a call saying I had done well but unfortunately didn’t get one of the two graduate spots. However, they had another opening they thought might interest me. I was open to exploring that so a day later I received a call from the hiring manager for the role who explained the role a bit further. I was then invited to interview and less than a week after that interview, I had a job offer.

The role was Customer Activation Specialist within the Category Planning team. I started in May 2023 at 50% because I hadn’t finished my thesis yet and then moved to full-time from June 1st, even before the graduate program officially kicked off in August. It just goes to show that a “no” doesn’t have to be the end of the road. Sometimes it’s just a different door opener.

You started in Sales and have since moved into Marketing in the Nordics what has that journey taught you about building a career at Mondelēz?

The biggest lesson? Dare to say yes to things you might not have initially considered.

After about a year in my first role, I was offered a temporary assignment alongside my role at the time- a “gig” in the Growth Team, as a Category Development Specialist focused on the Biscuits and Baked Snacks Category. My immediate reaction was honestly “This isn’t for me, I don’t think I’ll enjoy this.” But I said yes anyway because I could see how much I would learn and grow. And then, already in the first few days, I thought- wow, this is so much more fun than I expected.

The gig involved a lot of data analysis, understanding the market development, building customer presentations, and following up on performance from product launches or changes. The gig lasted about six months and gave me a completely different perspective.

After the gig, I had expressed to my manager that I was ready for more. He came back and said: "If we restructure the role this way, you'll get bigger responsibility." That's how I became Activation Specialist for the entire Biscuits & Baked Snacks Category. And from there, the path eventually led me from Sales to Marketing and the Brand Manager role I have today.

What I’ve learned is that Mondelēz genuinely has opportunities to try different functions to find what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and to build breadth. Be open to opportunities you haven’t planned for. They can still lead you in the right direction, or somewhere even better than you imagined.

How does it feel to manage such high-profile brands so early in your career - especially a Nordic household name like Marabou as it hits its 110-year milestone?

It’s very, very cool, especially since I’ve grown up with these products. Meetings can be all about the tiny details, but one look at the branded walls and you’re reminded how special it is to work with these products. Being behind the scenes, being part of creating things that others get to enjoy and that are woven into their everyday lives… it’s an incredible feeling. It’s a great honour, but also a great responsibility. Just as Marabou has thrived for 110 years, it must continue to thrive for at least 110 more, and you carry that legacy with you. But honestly? It’s mostly just fun.

How would you describe the working culture at Mondelēz in Sweden and how does it support you as a person, not just as an employee?

The culture here is genuinely caring and human. Colleagues don’t just ask “How are you?” as a formality - they truly mean it. On days when I haven’t felt my best, people have reached out and said, “I’m here” or “Do you want to talk?” I feel very much like we’re a kind of family. I feel safe being who I am.

We have all kinds of personalities here, but everyone feels they can be themselves. And the company actively supports wellbeing- we have health months, walking competitions, healthy breakfast events at the office, and seminars on wellbeing. There’s an open culture around talking about workload, and managers genuinely remind you to log off: “You should shut down now, it’s too late. You need to rest too.” That kind of care makes a real difference.

Is there anything you bring to work that has nothing to do with your professional role, something personal that quietly shapes the way you show up?

Curiosity. I've always been very curious, not just about how and why things work like they do, but also about people: who they are, what drives them, what their story is. I genuinely want to understand the people I work with, not just collaborate with them. So, I try to take time to get to know colleagues beyond their roles. I think that shows up as kindness, warmth and openness, and it shapes how I collaborate. I ask questions, I listen, and I try to make space for people to feel seen. Not for work necessarily, but because I am interested in people. However, I do think that creates a kind of trust that makes collaboration easier and more honest.

What advice would you give to someone very early in their career who is interested in working in FMCG?

Dare to try. That’s my number one piece of advice.

FMCG is such an interesting and dynamic industry- things move fast, and you learn so much and you work with products that reach a huge part of the population. You can clearly see the impact of your work. As a kid, I used to look at retailers’ flyers and wonder: “How do both retailers have similar campaigns the same week? How was this photo created?” Or in store, “Why is this product placed here specifically?” Now when I walk into a store, I see everything completely differently- the placement, the communication, the thought behind every detail. You also realize how much work goes into something that’s placed there on the shelf.

I'll also say this: FMCG wasn't even on my radar as a student. At Linköping University, it was consulting firms that dominated- they were active on campus; participated in fairs, gave lectures, hosted events, and invited students to their offices. FMCG simply wasn't visible in the same way. It wasn't until I attended Trainee Day, a career event in Stockholm, that I opened my eyes to this industry.

And when Mondelēz offered me a job, I had other job offers on the table at the same time- more technical roles that were a more obvious fit for my engineering degree, and closer to Linköping, where I was studying. But Mondelēz was the one that felt best in my gut, the one that excited me the most. I saw it as a place with real opportunities to grow. For me, it was never just about the role, it was about the development opportunities.

So, my advice? Look beyond what's right in front of you. And if something feels exciting but a little scary just like moving to a new city where you don't know anyone, I would say go for it. What can be the last thing that can happen? You will learn a lot and grow!