A rewarding commercial career for Diageo Iberia’s Susana

Can you imagine working for a company in which you could truly grow and progress, enjoying exciting challenges in a variety of roles along the way? An employer whom you would happily stay with throughout your whole professional life? Susana Natoli, Field Sales Manager at Diageo Iberia has done just that. And what an impressive career it has been!

Diageo made a big impact on Susana

Susana Natoli started on an early pathway with employer Diageo, having worked during her studies part time with the global premium drinks business. Quickly discovering the opportunities this exciting company could offer, Susana embarked on a rewarding and progressive journey across a variety of roles within Diageo.

“I completed an MA Marketing Management and Commercial Management (ESIC) at the University of Málaga, and did further studies in Business Marketing. So right from the age of 19 I was aligned with Diageo and growing both personally and professionally via my different positions. I've worked for Diageo in Field Marketing in Eastern Andalusia and later Head of Operational Marketing. I've worked in Executive Marketing in the South of Spain Area, and in Commercial Management in Sevilla and Huelva. I've also been a Sales Manager Reserve, and I've worked on Customer Planning, and have been a Fields Sales Manager for Andalucía!”

An attractive place to work

With its motto of “Celebrating life, every day, everywhere - in the community and for the community” Susana has always identified with Diageo in the way it runs its business and the responsibility it takes whilst doing so.

Diageo stands by its principle to ensure that its people, its suppliers, the communities around its operations, its customers and consumers and society at large all thrive as a result of its business. It is this approach that has encouraged Susana to make Diageo such a large part of her life and career. You can learn more about Diageo’s role in society here.

“The first thing that attracted me to Diageo was the contrast between the spirit of fun that was projected by the business and the impressive responsible strategies that are at the heart of the organisation,” she explains, adding “This is something that I find very special to be a part of,” enthuses Susana.

A commercial career with breadth

As a Field Sales Manager, Susana has found continuous learning to be an exciting aspect of the role stating “In the position I currently occupy, I find it exciting to be able to direct and motivate the team, training and developing their sales skills to help them grow.”

So what skills does a woman working in sales need to build a successful career? Susana believes the main skills are “empathy, trust, honesty, listening ability, an optimistic attitude, perseverance, self-discipline, a desire to bring value, creativity and adaptability!”

A truly supportive employer

Since becoming a mother eight years ago, Susana has found that although her day to day as a Field Sales Manager in Diageo Iberia has certainly become more challenging, her employer has fully supported her every step of the way.

“Finding the right balance is key” she explains. “With an employer like Diageo I have been able to thrive in my career but also not miss out on any of the amazing experiences of being a mother to a small child.”

With flexible working options and excellent family leave policies in place - there is no need to choose between the personal and professional goals when you have a commercial career at Diageo.