graduates

Shape of the Programme

Think you want a graduate role that will give you real accountability, the chance to manage a team and the opportunity to potentially be running your own store by the end of the programme?
Think B&Q.

The programme will kick-off with an exciting and interactive launch event after which you will embark on a 3 month structured induction which will include core management skills training. Most importantly you will spend this time working as a Customer Advisor on the shop floor building a foundation of customer, service and store insight that will inform the rest of your career. Following the induction you will be appointed into a range of management roles heading up an area of our store and leading a team to deliver service, sales and profit. Subject to regular reviews you will progress through our management structure ensuring that you experience the breadth of our store roles and operation and are able to develop all the skills required to be a successful B&Q leader. If you meet all the criteria at the end of the programme you will be appointed as a Store Manager with accountability for running one of our stores.

Training and Development

Think you want a training and development programme focused on your individual needs and designed to give you real on the job learning?
Think B&Q.

At B&Q we are committed to developing our people and as a Retail Management Graduate Trainee you will have access to a unique programme of developmental and experiential initiatives. Your learning opportunities will include group development, personality traits profiling, workshops and on the job learning activities matched to your individual needs. You will receive support from a mentor as well as a buddy and one to one coaching from a qualified coach.

A key element of our programme will be 'retail experience events' designed to expose you to the most exciting projects and experienced individuals B&Q has to offer. This will involve a number of planned days away from your store where you will meet some of our best in class role models as well as see the innovation and development happening in key areas of our business including Eco, Marketing, Systems, Product Development and People Management. Armed with this insight you'll go back to your store with the ability to influence the execution of this at a local level.

You will experience a broad range of retail activities including attending senior management meetings, leadership conferences, and undertaking a business project assigned by our main board. You will also have the opportunity to support B&Q's community strategy by working with our charity partners UK Youth.

What are we looking for?

Think you have a passion for retail and people?
Think B&Q.

We are looking for ambitious graduates with a single-minded passion for retailing to help drive our business onto the next level. This two year programme offers the right candidates un-equalled retail experience and management responsibility to guarantee a rewarding and successful career in retailing which could see you running your own B&Q store by the end of the programme.

The main responsibilities of the role/programme include:

• Leading and engaging a team
• Generating ideas for development of store sales and service
• Delivery of store standards and KPIs
• Commitment to development and project aspects of the programme

The successful candidate is likely to demonstrate a:

• Love for working with people: able to foster relationships, care for and invest time in team, prioritise coaching and development of others
• Passion for customers: demonstrate belief and pride in product, a strong service ethos and pride in standards
• Resilience: able to take feedback, can bounce back from challenges, self-sufficient in drive and focus
• Enterprise: curious, able to challenge the status quo, proactive and innovative and able to take a broader strategic outlook
• Drive: demonstrate ambition, competitive in nature with a positive attitude

In addition the following knowledge and skills are required to be successful in the role:

• Effective leadership and management skills and the ability to motivate others
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads and delegate accordingly
• Ability to grasp new concepts quickly
• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure
• The desire to generate fresh and innovative ideas and challenge the status quo
• Ability to build credible relationships quickly and establish a business wide network
• Ability to give open and honest feedback
• Ability to challenge colleagues and influence them to think differently
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and make assertive decisions

The following requirements are essential for all applications:

• Minimum 2.2 degree in any discipline
• Must have retail/service experience
• Nationally mobile and able to relocate

View our full Retail Management Graduate profile.

Rewards and Benefits

Think you want a company that offers an excellent starting salary as well as an attractive benefits scheme?
Think B&Q.

B&Q is committed to providing a competitive reward package. Alongside a starting salary of £25,000 you will also enjoy the following benefits:

• Management bonus scheme
• Store team bonus
• Kingfisher money purchase pension scheme (after 12 months)
• Life assurance
• Share save scheme
• 20% staff discount
• Childcare vouchers
• A UK benefits scheme offering a selection of discounts including; retail vouchers, holidays, UK attractions, restaurants and theatre tokens
• Career breaks
• Maternity/paternity packages
• Long service awards

N.B. The estimated financial value of the starting package is £28,490 (all benefits elements are subject to scheme rules)

A key benefit of this programme is that as you progress through your placement roles your salary and benefits package will be adjusted in line with the placement role. This means that you can expect 2 salary reviews during the course of the programme with the potential to have increased your starting salary by 40% by the end of it.

How to apply

The four stages of our application process are:

Stage 1

Online application form with a series of questions to find out about your background, personal strengths and knowledge and motivation for retailing.

Stage 2

Online numerical and verbal reasoning tests

Stage 3

Telephone interview

Stage 4

Full day assessment centre including an interview, role play, group exercise and a presentation.

If you consider yourself to have a disability for which we may need to make special arrangements in order for you to attend an interview or complete an online test, please email us at graduaterecruitment@b-and-q.co.uk

Graduate contacts

If you've still got questions about our schemes, the application process or if you have any requests please direct all enquiries and correspondence to graduaterecruitment@b-and-q.co.uk

Please note, we do not accept applications by CV.

For a map showing where our stores are, you may find it useful to use our Store Locator.

Closing date for applications - 7th December 2011

FAQ

What qualifications do I need?
For the Retail Management scheme you'll need at least a minimum 2.2 degree in any discipline.

Do I need to have graduated recently?
You need to have graduated within the last 2 years. This means the earliest your dgree can have been awarded is 2009, and the latest is due to be awarded in 2012.

What if I need help with my application?
If you are unclear on any of the areas of the application form please contact the recruitment team on:

How will I know that you are dealing with my application?
You will receive updates on your progress including details of the assessment centre and personality profiling should you get to this stage. You will have a limited time to complete the profiling so keep an eye on your emails!

What if I need a work permit?
It is a requirement that you are eligible to work in the UK. If you do not have an appropriate work permit, regretfully we are not able to accept your application.

How long does the scheme last?
Our Retail Management scheme lasts for 2 years, although it could be slightly longer depending on how fast you move through your placements.

When does the scheme start?
The Retail Management scheme starts in September 2012.

Where will I be based?
We have over 350 stores across the UK so we'll work with you at offer stage to match you to one of our graduate vacancies. We ask that all candidates are prepared to relocate within the UK if necessary.

Do I get an induction?
Yes. You'll be invited to a programme launch event before you start, and then you'll begin a 3 month induction programme prior to starting your first placement.

What hours will I have to work?
Your contracted hours will be 39 hours per week including weekends, but there will be times when you may need to work outside your normal hours to get the job done. The time you start and finish might vary, depending on your role and what you're working on.

Do I have to wear a uniform?
Yes you will be issued with a full B&Q uniform prior to your start date.

Is there a long-term career for me at B&Q?
Yes. Lots of our most senior managers have been with us for many years. Like them, you'll be given opportunities to try different roles, different areas of the business, and even different countries. The only limit is your ambition. For some real examples of how previous graduates have developed their career at B&Q, read our testimonials.

What's the social life like?
It's as good as you make it. You'll probably find that you go out with your colleagues quite regularly and there will be plenty of opportunities to socialise with your fellow graduates during the programme.

Where can I find out more about B&Q?
Have a look at our corporate website.

Where can I find out more about B&Q's commitment to the environment?
Have a look at our corporate website.

What's the closing date?
Applications will be open until 7th December 2011, however following that date the closing date will depend on the volume of successful applications so don't delay your application!

Testimonials

Matt Brookes - General Manager, Derby Warehouse

I started at B&Q on the graduate scheme in 1998. After a 3 month induction and a period of acting up I was appointed as an Operations manager in our Etruria store. After this I got an opportunity to try a regional store development role overseeing our decorative revamps. After this I moved to Telford store as a Senior Stock Manager and was then appointed as Shrewsbury Store Manager. Since then I've managed a number of stores as I've progressed including a new concept store. My current role is Store Manager of Derby Warehouse an £18 million turnover store. What I enjoy most about my role is the diversity of the business I'm running which includes a large Showroom and Trade business as well as managing a big team and the interaction I get with our customers.

The best thing about my experience of developing a career at B&Q is the support I have received from some fantastic line managers and mentors who have coached and developed me. There have also been a lot of opportunities for me to move through the business and progress as well as get in involved in other projects.

My advice to graduates starting the prgramme with B&Q is to ensure that you are prepared to have strong work ethic. We work hard so you need to love the store environment and be prepared to get stuck in and lead from the front. Also be yourself and don't forget to invest time in others development as you are developing yourself. Always keep an eye out for what opportunities are coming up so you can develop your career and gain lots of experience on the way.

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George Wakley - Director of Retail Planning and Productivity

I joined B&Q in October 1998 on the graduate scheme. My first store was Wrexham, a Supercentre where I spent my first 6 months following a structured training plan. This included lots of shop-floor experience as well as an introduction to some other skills like communication and the chance to run a small project in my store. I can still remember my first night as Duty Manager, a drunk came in and proceeded to use one of our display toilets. I remember being very aware that the whole team was watching me to see what I was going to do about it!

After 6 months I went to Salisbury as an acting Assistant Manager. It was the first vacancy that came up in the Division and being flexible about location meant I could relocate to take up the challenge. After being appointed at Salisbury I went on to do bigger roles at Newbury and Basingstoke before getting my first store as Manager. Being in charge of a unit was a different challenge. Having accountability for everything was a bit scary but exciting too. As retailers, working in stores with customers every day is what it's all about.

After 5 years in stores I got a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend 6 months in Australia with an equivalent DIY retailer. I was seconded from B&Q and got the chance to do many different things. When I got back to the UK I decided to move to the Store Support Office – to understand a bit more about what I'd seen overseas and to challenge myself in a different environment.

I worked in Operations development as a project manager – providing the 'store voice' in some business development programs and learning about project management myself. Working at the centre gives you a chance to influence the broader business – but it's important to remember that everything we do at the centre is about setting up our stores to meet our customers' needs.

From Operations I then went to Supply Chain, initially to set up The Orange Team - the stores' first point of contact for questions on supply or commercial issues. This was still a developmental role and over the next four years I did a number of roles as Development Manager and then Strategy Manager. That was a really stretching but exciting role, I was developing new skills and was centrally involved in the creation of the Supply Chain strategy. It was a tough but rewarding period.

One thing about B&Q is the chance to work in different areas of the business. After my time in Supply I moved to Finance as Business Planning Manager. This role was all about turning the three year B&Q strategy into a business plan for the current year. It involved lots of work with the Board, understanding their priorities and influencing them to reach a common view. It's hard to imagine a job that would give a better view across the whole company.

And now, I'm back in Operations as Director of Retail Planning and Productivity. It's a great role, bringing together my experience of Operations with what I've learned about Planning. It also needs all the skills I've developed along the way - communication and influencing are very important, not to mention resilience!

When I joined B&Q in 1998 I would not have imagined the route my career has taken. One of the things about working for a big, market-leading company is the opportunity to experience lots of different things - either in stores or in the broader business. Whatever role I've done I've always been glad that I spent the time I did in stores. After all, our business is all about people - our customers and our teams.

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Jo Bevan – HR Manager

I joined B&Q in September 1994 on the graduate scheme and have never looked back. I really enjoyed the culture of B&Q from my assessment centre and it lived up to all my expectations. I was given the opportunity to train in two stores in Eltham and Eastbourne. My managers in both stores were really supportive and really helped me develop and progress. I was given real hands on experience and was managing my own area in the store within 6 months. My store learning was also supported by a comprehensive development programme where I met with all the other trainees too. I did a postgraduate qualification in retail management in Manchester University and also had soft skills training to help me manage a team of people. I was also given a real project to benefit the company. This development was really useful as I took on the role of Assistant Manager in Newhaven store within 12 months. As the only Assistant Manager at the store when the store manager was out I had full responsibility for the whole store. This was an amazing experience and taught me so much about managing a business. You need to be able to motivate and lead a team, manage profit and loss accounts and constantly drive improvements in the store. You cannot afford to be off your game at any point.

I then moved to Enfield Warehouse and took on a new role in HR. I had no experience in HR but B&Q allowed me to move into a very different field and grew and developed me in the role. This set me up for the rest of my career with B&Q. I got a job in the field in HR looking after new stores and revamps and then came into the office about 13 years ago. B&Q relocated me here and I love living in Southampton. Since being here I have been allowed to do lots of varied roles in HR. I have worked in management development, reward, generalist HR field and now HR in the office. I love the way B&Q will allow you to work in different roles and will give you the correct training to set you up to succeed. I am now an HR Manager and look after Supply Chain, Central Operations, TradePoint, Multi-channel & Installations. I have daily contact with the board directors for these areas so I can really influence their strategies. I really feel at the heart of the business every day. I would not want to work for another company.