Since 1846 we’ve been committed to providing products consumers can count on - for now and for years to come - all around the world. Our power brands such as Arm & Hammer™️, Xtra™️ and Waterpik®️ are household names, relied upon by millions of customers. As we’ve grown, we’ve been sure to build our culture around the tenants of courage, determination, and team spirit. We’re united by our small company feel and inspired by opportunities to make our mark.
But what’s it like to really work for Church & Dwight? How does it feel to see the direct impact of your work and be right at the heart of the action, in the thick of things, making our company tick?
In this blog series, we interviewed key players in our business to uncover what they do, where they operate and why they enjoy coming to work every day. Each of these employees adds tremendous value to Church & Dwight.
Today we spoke with Alex C., Advanced Analytics Group Manager at Church & Dwight.
Alex joined the business full-time in 2014 after successful completion of a Co-Op program in 2013. As part of our expanding analytics team, he ensures that we’re optimizing all our processes and keeping abreast of the technological innovations available to us.
Data is making a big impact
With our rich heritage of producing family brands and products that have remained popular for many generations, Church & Dwight nurtures the fact that we’re an organization with a global reach and a small company feel.
We also embrace the fact that we must be future-facing to remain relevant, not only for our customers but for our colleagues, both present and future.
And that’s where Alex and his team at the Analytics Center of Excellence (ACE) come in.
Data has a big impact on our business. Going forward, that will only be more so, as Alex explains, “In this company, from even just five years ago to today, in terms of our data maturity, and our ability to use data to make impactful decisions, it’s a night and day difference. We’re really using the data to our advantage.”
Alex enjoys the fact that he gets to see the impact of his work every day; it’s palpable and measurable, and he’s able to act on the information quickly to affect positive changes.
As Alex tells us, “With my team, I helped develop a methodology for forecasting our brand sales, that we believe comes with added advantages, and is a better, more accurate methodology than we were previously employing. So that was a great project to work on, where you really see the impact, the results.”
He continues, “And that new way of using both data, and the people that we have, combined with our roll up your sleeves culture, makes for a really strong combination.”
We get the best of both worlds
You need to have a curious mindset to be in data analytics, and that includes keeping up with the latest technology. We wondered if Alex would be happier working for a major tech company. No, was the answer, loud and clear.
This is because the world of business is data-driven now, and Church & Dwight is no exception. We take it seriously. Plus, Alex still loves the fact that he’s working for a company that makes real products, that have a genuine emotional attachment to our customers, including his own family.
“We make real, tangible things that impact real consumers, improving their lives, improving their health and wellbeing,” says Alex. “I can’t tell you how excited my grandparents were when they knew I was working for Arm & Hammer, they never get over that.”
“This is a brand that consumers have loved for a very long time,” says Alex. “I think that kind of legacy of quality and doing the right thing is so important, it really resonates.”
It’s the people that make this company progressive
Alex believes you can tell a lot about Church & Dwight from our logo: sleeves rolled up, ready to go. We are dedicated, and sometimes our roles can be demanding. We make high-quality products we’re proud of, and that’s only made possible by the level of effort we put in.
He enjoys the challenges and sees this effort across the board. Our lean structure was something that surprised Alex when he first joined, but quickly embraced, and is one of the reasons he’s stayed.
“It’s not uncommon to find executive leaders in operational meetings throughout the organization,” says Alex. "These are not folks who stay locked away in an ivory tower. They are in team meetings. They are walking around the building, they’re talking to folks, and really feel a part of the team."
As he points out, “That’s all part of the culture here. I think that down-to-earth style of our leadership really drives performance.”
Alex believes this egoless and agile culture has aided his progression within the company. He’s interacted with more experienced colleagues and company leaders from the very start, as he says, “They’re approachable and always keen to share their knowledge.”
Learning and development is a major part of our culture
We pride ourselves on our Learning and Development at Church & Dwight. It not only creates a more informed, confident, and productive workforce who bring ideas and energy to the company, it retains them as well.
As Alex says, “The organization has provided me with an opportunity to better myself. The company has a very generous education program, they invest in their employees and allow us to pursue education opportunities. I went back to graduate school and got my degree in data science from Northwestern University.”
He continues, “And that's something that without Church & Dwight’s support, I’m not certain I would have done.”
Alex was overjoyed when a senior executive leader wrote a letter of recommendation for him to go to Northwestern University, one of the most prestigious schools in the country. It was a great vote of confidence in his abilities.
“I think it speaks to their engagement with their beliefs, and their down-to-earth attitude,” he says. “I don't think I'd have that opportunity to ask somebody like that to write a letter of recommendation at other organizations. It's not because I'm special, they would do that for anybody.”
With Alex’s managerial role in the Analytics Center of Excellence, he is now approached by senior-level executives to answer their questions. And Alex is happy to share his knowledge with them.
But as he points out, this cooperative, knowledge-sharing culture at Church & Dwight is not a big deal. It’s just the way we do business.
Ready to join us?
If you embrace your collegial spirit, enjoy working together to overcome challenges and bring a positive attitude to work each day, then a career in data science can offer you the opportunity to make decisions at speed and see the tangible impact of your work.
We’re an open and upfront workplace, so you’ll be given the authority, respect and trust to solve problems and make a real contribution.
With competitive wages and benefits, everyone is rewarded for their hard work. If you are a strong team player, you’ll thrive in this company.
Learn more about our company, our culture, and the latest career opportunities at https://careers.churchdwight.com/jobs/
