Alumni Feature One | Michael Kimber Bate – Category Manager at Heineken
Michael Kimber Bate’s career journey is a testament to the power of curiosity, adaptability, and global exposure. Born and raised in Chile, Michael’s passion for brands that transcend borders led him to pursue further studies at LSE, where he gained deep insights into consumer behaviour. His career path has taken him through major global brands such as Nestlé, Hasbro, and Heineken.
In this interview, he shares his experience and advice for aspiring professionals in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.
Q: Could you start by giving us a brief background about yourself, including your academic journey at LSE and what motivated you to choose your programme?
A: I was born and raised in Chile and studied Business and Economics in Santiago. My family comes from different parts of the world, including the UK, and I’ve therefore always had an interest in brands and ideas that can cross borders and are easily recognisable wherever you are. After university, I worked for a few years at Nestlé and decided I wanted to gain a better understanding of consumer behaviour from a world-class Psychology department and reconnect with my UK roots along the way.
Q: What career path have you followed since graduating from LSE?
A: I joined Hasbro for a couple of years within a Marketing function and I’m now a Category Development Manager at Heineken.
Q: Can you tell us about your role and what aspects of your work you enjoy most?
A: I develop category growth strategies and tactics in close collaboration with customers. We go beyond only Heineken brands and analyse the broader market in terms of key competitors, innovation, macrotrends, and consumer and shopper behaviours. What I like most is fostering the relationship with stakeholders, both internal and external, and seeing insights turned into tangible actions in the real world.
Q: Were there any specific strategies or approaches during your career exploration and job search that helped guide you into this field?
A: Reaching out to people on LinkedIn and a structured approach helped a lot. I kept a record of everyone I spoke to and wrote down a few buzz words or key insights they shared from their experience. Starting the job search early with more casual conversations was also good in the sense that it allowed me to have my “speech” fine-tuned for when it actually mattered further down the line.
Q: What are some skills, both academic and extracurricular, that you gained during your time at LSE that you find valuable in your current role?
A: Critical thinking, asking loads of questions, and presenting ideas back to a group of people. Getting to know people from different cultural backgrounds at LSE also helped in shaping my world view and in connecting at a more personal level with colleagues.
Q: What advice would you give to current LSE students considering careers in the FMCG and global brand sectors?
A: Presentation skills are key. Each person has their own style so having your own style come through can go a long way and can make your interview process stand out and be more easily remembered by recruiters.
Michael’s journey exemplifies how combining global exposure with a keen understanding of consumer behaviour can lead to a dynamic career in the FMCG industry. His structured approach to job searching, emphasis on presentation skills, and ability to foster strong relationships have been key drivers of his success. Aspiring professionals can take inspiration from his insights and apply them to their own journeys in the world of global brands.
Why should you explore the FMCG sector?
The fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry is dynamic and diverse, offering a wealth of career opportunities and a huge range of roles. Employers are some of the biggest brand names around the world, with products used and seen by consumers every single day – from the supermarket to the pharmacy. With significant growth forecast in the FMCG sector in 2025, it could be an ideal time to start considering a career in the area.
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