Nutreco people in Spain

The philosophy of the HR team in Spain is that by developing people who work for Nutreco, the company is making a positive contribution to society.

The August edition of the Spanish financial magazine Actualidad Económica ranked Nutreco España at number ten in its annual survey of the best companies to work for. 147 Companies entered the survey. The number ten position is a rise of seven places from 2008. The survey looks at five aspects of a company: talent management policy, remuneration and benefits, learning & development, ambiance (including motivation and facilities provided) and corporate social responsibility. Entering the survey involves completing a detailed questionnaire and permitting assessors to audit any aspect and to interview employees.

Nutreco continues to be one of relatively few companies in Spain to hold SA 8000 certification. Based on the principles of 13 Human Rights conventions, it is a tool to assure humane workplaces. During 2009 there were four instances when government labour inspectors requested appointments to visit a Nutreco plant to check on gender equality, discrimination and diversity. In each instance they were granted immediate access, without the conventional need to set an appointment 15 days ahead, and in each instance the plant passed without problem. Success is partly the result of Nutreco in Spain adopting a code in 2008 to prevent harassment or discrimination, for example by gender, race or religion. In addition, six people were appointed to work as social workers and equality agents in the Sada meat processing business, the largest employer of Nutreco businesses in Spain.

In 2009 Nutreco HR in Spain prepared a programme of activities for the integration of the recently acquired Cargill animal nutrition businesses in Spain and Portugal. This includes competence mapping of teams in both Nanta and Cargill to form a new business from the best of each.

Nutreco in Spain introduced a national version of the Expanding Horizons programme. 12 Young employees worked in a talent development programme organised by Nutreco and the business school of Nabrija University in Madrid. The programme is focused on key management skills and lasts 18 months. It includes running a simulated company for a full business cycle and working in teams on relevant projects. One project relating to sustainability is a cost-benefit study on solar power generation using the roofs of company buildings. The project business cases will be presented to top managers in March 2010.

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