Development and retention are key to our success.
Developing your career is an investment in both you and in the future of our company. By helping you hone your skills, we strengthen our entire company. We make the decision to hire based on your potential to succeed, and we help you achieve that potential.
There are various ways to learn. Managers partner with you to identify the tools you need to grow professionally through on-the-job experiences, your co-workers and coursework. Individual development plans incorporate your career and personal goals and motivations, your strengths, and your development needs to create an action plan tailored to you.
During your first 12 to18 months on the job, you can expect to create an individual development plan with your manager and to have the opportunity to attend formal development programs in the General Mills Institute. Your function may also offer function-specific development opportunities as part of your orientation and skill-building.
Individual Development Plan
To maximize your professional growth and performance, you and your manager will create a personalized development plan. The Individual Development Plan is more than just an annual review; it is a proactive plan that guides you toward the experiences, knowledge and resources you need to improve your skills. Web-based learning and development tools may be part of your action plan.
General Mills Institute
The General Mills Institute offers a series of formal development programs that give you the tools you need to become an effective and confident company leader. The Institute helps you achieve future growth and eases your transition into roles with more responsibility.
New employees enroll in the "Core Business Essentials" program, an internal, executive-led introduction to General Mills' values, business indicators and functional areas that support our business goals. Other Institute offerings support employees at critical career transition points ("Managing People" for new managers and "Managing the Organization" for experienced managers). Other programs include "Building Great Leaders" (leadership development and effectiveness for employees moving to key leadership roles in our company) and "Presentation Dynamics" (for powerful communication skills).
Other Formal Training Opportunities
As each career path comes with its own unique set of dynamics, we offer specialized training as well, including:
- Camp Champ for new marketing professionals
- Cereal School for new technical professionals
- Brand Champions for Marketing, Consumer Insights, Sales, Finance, Research and Development, and Operations professionals
- HR "U" for new human resource professionals
- Financial Seminar Series for new finance professionals
- Business Management Associate Foundations for Success for new sales professionals.
Web-based Learning
Development resources also are available online. You have access to tools, techniques and recommended reading on a number or managerial subjects through Harvard's ManageMentor, as well as other course selections. Technical training is available through web-based training and live virtual classrooms (distance learning).
Educational Assistance and Educational Leaves
General Mills values continuing formal education. We reimburse eligible employees for the cost of job-related courses from accredited institutions. Additionally, if you have at least one year of satisfactory employment, you may be granted an unpaid leave to further your education.
General Mills sponsors a special loan program for employees. These loans are available for employee education that does not qualify for company reimbursement or for the education expenses of family members.
