More than 200 graduates and undergraduates will have the opportunity to take their first step onto the retail ladder through Marks & Spencer’s graduate recruitment scheme.
The scheme is now taking applications for selling positions in M&S’ UK stores, as well as food, buying, merchandising, technology and design positions in the company’s London head office.
Last month, the graduate recruitment programme was awarded the Quality Mark from the National Council of Work Experience in recognition of its superior training programme. M&S has also recently been awarded the ‘Graduate Employer of Choice for Retail and HR’ at The Times Graduate Recruitment Awards 2007, and ‘the most popular retail recruiter in 2007’ at the Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2007.
Over the next few weeks, the recruitment team will receive some 8,500* applications before they can begin the difficult process of whittling them down to just 200 outstanding recruits. This figure will comprise approximately 160 university graduates who will permanently join the business from September 2008, as well as 40 undergraduates who will join the Business Placement Programme (BPP) for a year’s work experience as part of their degree. In previous years almost 80 per cent of the BPP recruits have subsequently been offered a place on the graduate scheme.
Linda Graham, Head of Graduate Recruitment at M&S says: “The M&S graduate recruitment scheme is a fast-track training programme into senior-level management, to bring some of the UK’s best up-and-coming talent quickly up the ranks of the business.
“It’s an excellent way for graduates to put their degrees to good use, because from day one they become part of the management team and are given real responsibilities; anything from managing a department on the shop floor, to implementing our latest marketing campaign or managing stock from Head Office,” she said.
Trainees are supported through technical and leadership training, so that by the end of the scheme (12-18 months dependent on the scheme) they have everything they need to take on their first management role. That could mean leading a team of people, or running an area of the business worth millions of pounds… and in many cases it means both.
Now six-weeks into the scheme, Rachel Griffin, trainee Confectionery Technologist says: “I’ve definitely landed a dream job! I work in the confectionery team at M&S, so my week starts with a quality control food tasting session. I then go on to work with product developers and buyers to launch products, or I visit our stores and suppliers to ensure that we’re providing the very best levels of food quality and safety.
“Aside from sampling Percy Pigs, I’m also very involved in meeting the objectives set out in the company’s ‘Plan A’ eco plan, which includes projects such as: working with suppliers to find ways to reduce packaging or to introduce recyclable packaging; investigating ways of producing sugar-free confectionery; and providing portion control.
“If you’re looking for a fast-paced job, where you know that your day-to-day work is having an impact not only on the business but also on customers, then I’d definitely recommend applying to M&S,” she said.
Applications for the graduate recruitment scheme opened in September and will close on 14th December 2007**. To apply, visit our website.
* Based on 2006/07 figures
** With the exception of food technology which closes on 30th November 2007
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For further information, please contact:
Leisa Stewart, Marks & Spencer Corporate PR 020 8718 8132
For background information, please go to the Media Centre on our website.
Notes to editors
• A full description of all roles can be found, and applied for via our website
• Step 1 in the application process involves completing a numerical, verbal and talent-screening questionnaire via the website
• At step 2, successful applicants are invited to attend a one-day assessment centre which includes: a group exercise, role-play, analytical exercise and presentation, and an interview. (This usually occurs between mid-January and February, although BPP assessments will only take place in January)
• Applicants are informed of their success no longer than two weeks after the assessment centre
• The graduate recruitment scheme provides a structured training programme that includes on-the-job-training with attachments (shadowing experienced managers), workshops (classroom learning that can last anything between 90 minutes and 3 days), self-directed learning (workbooks that focus on key technical aspects of the role) and practical learning (project work for line managers)
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