With 15 different businesses, 4,900 outlets, 110,000 people and a turnover of ??10.1bn, The Co-operative can offer you a graduate experience with unrivalled commercial exposure.
We're not just a food retailer but also a travel provider, a funeral director, a pharmacist, a legal services provider, and much more. But the real difference lies not just in what we do. It's what we are - a co-operative, and the world's largest consumer co-operative at that.
For graduates who want to pursue a rewarding career without compromising their values, we offer a Business Management programme that lasts 18 months. During this time, you'll play a key role in shaping the business by working on high profile change initiatives spanning the length and breadth of our businesses. Whether you are launching a new product or leading a project to improve our supply chain, our programme will give you essential business, professional and industry knowledge. In short, everything you need to become a future leader at The Co-operative.
We know our graduates will take our business forward, so we'll help you to choose the projects that will enhance your career and drive your progression. You'll have the chance to work in a variety of areas, from HR to buying, from strategic planning to marketing - the choice is endless. To insure you'll have the skills and behaviours you'll need, you'll undertake a structured management development programme that includes support from a senior mentor and a buddy. On top of that, you'll be given a lump sum to spend on your own self-development needs, as well the opportunity to study for a postgraduate qualification.
What are we looking for?
As a co-operative, we need our graduates to have a unique mix of skills and behaviours. It's not just about academic achievements, but also about the experiences, opinions and beliefs that make you who you are. It's important to us that you are as passionate about a career in business, as you are about our values and principles.
Our Business Management programme will present a wide array of challenges, so you'll need to be confident, tenacious, resilient and flexible. Early responsibility and a high profile are exciting prospects, but you'll need to work hard to earn credibility and respect. The result of your efforts will be a leadership role in a unique company that continues to innovate and lead the market.
If it's a career in finance you're interested in, our CIMA Finance programme, you'll start by gaining excellent experience of accounting software packages, along with a detailed overview of financial processes before preparing monthly accounts. Through analysing and interpreting the figures you'll sharpen your commercial awareness; through working with external suppliers such as auditors, and by briefing senior managers, you'll hone your influencing skills. You'll gain a broad perspective on financial strategy, as well as experience within specialist areas such as tax, internal audit, strategic planning and treasury, before choosing where you want to concentrate.
To make it on to our graduate programme, you'll need a 2:2 in any degree discipline; we have no UCAS point entry requirements.
Typical number of positions: 15
If you have all these things, we'd like to hear from you.
