Univar Solutions, a leading global chemical and ingredient distributor, is the focus of our latest article. This Fortune 500 company does business in more than 110 countries and works with a lot of different industries, from agriculture to personal care. Univar Solutions is changing the way chemicals and ingredients are distributed and setting new standards for corporate responsibility. They are known for their dedication to sustainability and new ideas. This article will go over the interview questions that can help people who want to work for this industry leader get ready for their job.
Landing a job at Univar Solutions, a leading global chemical and ingredient distributor, can be a significant career move To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide that delves into the most commonly asked Univar Solutions interview questions, along with insightful tips and strategies to help you shine
1 Develop and Maintain Long-Term Client Relationships
Question: How would you build and keep long-term relationships with clients to make sure they’re happy and bring you more business?
An important part of running a successful business is keeping clients for a long time. This is also true at Univar Solutions. To give a good answer to this question, show that you know how important it is to actively listen, show empathy, solve problems, and go above and beyond what clients expect.
Example: “Developing and maintaining long-term client relationships starts with understanding their unique needs and expectations. I believe in active listening and effective communication to ensure alignment between their objectives and our offerings. For instance, if a client seeks sustainable chemical solutions, I would focus on demonstrating how Univar’s eco-friendly products can meet their requirements while offering added value, such as cost savings or improved efficiency.”
2, Going Above and Beyond for a Customer
Question: Can you provide an example of when you went above and beyond for a customer, and what was the outcome?
Answer: Telling a story of great customer service is a powerful way to show that you want to go above and beyond what your customers expect. Show an example of when you solved a difficult problem, gave them a custom answer, or went above and beyond to meet their needs.
Example: “In my previous role, I handled a client who had received an incorrect order. As it was a time-sensitive delivery, the mistake caused significant inconvenience. Rather than just correcting the error and sending out a replacement, I personally drove to their location after work hours to deliver the correct items. This not only helped resolve the issue immediately but also demonstrated our commitment to customer satisfaction.”
3 Handling Hazardous Materials or Chemicals
Question Describe your experience handling hazardous materials or chemicals and how you ensured safety and compliance during the process.
Answer: When working with hazardous materials, safety and compliance are paramount. Show that you have experience handling these substances safely and that you know what risks might be involved. Highlight your adherence to safety protocols, certifications received, or training completed.
Example: “In my previous experience, I’ve had extensive involvement with handling hazardous materials and chemicals in a laboratory setting. This included substances like acids, bases, solvents, and reactive compounds. To ensure safety, I strictly adhered to the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) guidelines for each substance, which provided detailed information on storage, handling, and emergency procedures.”
4. Prioritizing Multiple Tasks and Deadlines
Question: How do you prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines while maintaining focus on key sales targets?
Answer: Balancing multiple tasks and deadlines is a critical skill in sales. Discuss your strategies for time management and organization, such as to-do lists, prioritization frameworks, or project management software. Mention instances where you’ve successfully juggled multiple deadlines while hitting sales targets.
“I believe that strategic planning and time management are important for effectively prioritizing a lot of different tasks and deadlines.” First, I figure out which sales goals are the most important to our business goals. Then I rate each task based on how important and how quickly it needs to be done. This helps me make a list of priorities. “.
5. Forecasting Demand and Supply Needs
Question: What strategies have you used to forecast demand and supply needs, ensuring optimal inventory levels are maintained?
Answer: Accurately forecasting demand and supply needs is crucial for maintaining optimal inventory levels. Discuss your experience and strategic thinking when it comes to demand and supply forecasting. Mention specific tools, techniques, and methodologies you’ve used.
Example: “In my experience, a combination of qualitative and quantitative forecasting methods has proven most effective in predicting demand and supply needs. For instance, I’ve used time-series analysis to identify patterns and trends over time, which is particularly useful for products with predictable seasonal fluctuations.”
6. Coaching, Mentoring, or Managing a Team
Question: Tell us about a time when you had to coach, mentor, or manage a team towards achieving a specific goal. How did you approach this situation and lead your team to success?
Answer: Leadership and teamwork are essential qualities in many roles. Recall a specific instance where you demonstrated leadership and guided your team towards success. Outline the goal, detail your approach in assigning roles, setting expectations, or providing motivation, and describe the outcome.
Example: “In my previous experience, I was tasked with leading a team to streamline our production process and reduce waste by 15% within six months. To approach this challenge, I first organized a series of brainstorming sessions where each member could contribute their ideas and perspectives on how we could achieve our goal.”
7. Collaborating with Various Departments
Question: Describe a situation where you were required to collaborate with various departments to achieve a common objective. How did you navigate any challenges that arose?
Answer: Collaboration and teamwork are essential in any organization. Discuss a time when you successfully collaborated with diverse teams. Share your approach to teamwork and problem-solving, emphasizing your communication skills, adaptability, and leadership.
Example: “In my previous company, we were tasked with implementing a new customer relationship management (CRM) system. This project required collaboration between the IT, Sales, and Customer Service departments. Each department had its own requirements and expectations for the CRM, which sometimes led to conflicting priorities.”
8. Utilizing Administrative Tools
Question: How have you utilized administrative tools, such as CRM software and data analysis, to support the efficiency and effectiveness of your role?
Answer: Leveraging technology and data is vital in today’s business environment. Highlight your experience with administrative tools mentioned in the job description. Discuss specific instances where you used CRM software or data analysis to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Example: “In my experience, CRM software has been instrumental in managing customer relationships and tracking sales progress. For instance, I’ve used it to create a centralized database of customer information which allowed for improved communication within the team and personalized interactions with customers.”
9. Negotiating a Deal or Resolving a Conflict
Question: Can you provide an example of when you successfully negotiated a deal or resolved a conflict between customers or colleagues?
Answer: Negotiation and conflict resolution skills are essential in any professional environment. Think of a specific instance where your negotiation or conflict resolution skills led to a positive outcome. Discuss the situation briefly, focusing on the strategies you used, how you approached the problem, and what the results were.
Example: “In my previous position, I was often tasked with managing client expectations and resolving conflicts. One particular instance that comes to mind involved two of our key customers who had conflicting needs for a limited resource.”
10. Understanding Industry Trends and Market Dynamics
Question: Explain the importance of understanding industry trends and market dynamics in driving sales growth and anticipating customer needs.
Answer: Grasping industry trends and market dynamics is essential for any sales professional. Highlight how keeping abreast of industry trends and market dynamics can help identify customer needs even before they express them. Emphasize your ability to use these insights to drive sales growth by offering tailored solutions or anticipating changes in demand.
Example: “Understanding industry trends and market dynamics is crucial in driving sales growth as it allows a company to stay competitive and relevant. For instance, if we notice an increasing trend towards sustainability within the chemical distribution industry, Univar Solutions could capitalize on this by offering more eco-friendly products or services.”
11. Staying Updated on Product Knowledge
Question: How do you stay updated on product knowledge and technical specifications to effectively communicate benefits and features to potential clients?
Answer: Staying well-informed on product knowledge and technical specifications is essential for sales and client-facing roles. Discuss how you use resources such as industry publications, webinars, product training, and networking with subject matter experts to keep abreast of product knowledge and technical specifications.
Example: “To stay updated on product knowledge and technical specifications, I make use of a variety of resources. These include industry publications, webinars, online forums, and professional networking events where the latest trends and innovations are often discussed. Additionally, I regularly review our company’s internal documents and training materials to ensure my understanding is up-to-date.”
12. Identifying New Business Opportunities
Question: Share an example of when you were able to identify new business opportunities or areas for improvement within your organization.
Answer: In today’s competitive business landscape, companies are constantly on the lookout for employees who can identify potential growth opportunities and areas for improvement. Reflect on instances where you were able to spot potential business opportunities or areas for improvement. Present your thought process, how you acted upon it, and the positive outcomes of your actions.
Example: “In my previous organization, we were struggling with efficiency in our supply chain management. I noticed that the lack of real-time tracking and communication was causing delays and inefficiencies, which in turn affected customer satisfaction. Recognizing this as a business opportunity for improvement, I proposed the implementation of an advanced supply chain software system.”
13. Balancing Customer Service and Performance Metrics
Question: How do you balance providing exceptional customer service with meeting performance metrics, such as call volume or response times?
Answer: Balancing exceptional customer service and performance metrics is a vital part of any customer-facing role. Emphasize your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks. You could mention experiences where you successfully managed high call volumes while maintaining excellent service quality.
Example: “
Univar Solutions Hiring Process
Univar Solutions usually starts the hiring process with a phone or video interview with a recruiter or HR representative. The next step is one or more interviews with the hiring manager and other team members. These can happen in person, over the phone, or through videoconferencing. The process may also include online tests or assessments. Candidates say that most of the interview questions are about their work history, their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their technical and behavioral skills. However, some candidates have experienced a lack of communication or follow-up from the company after their interviews.
