Waitrose Retail Management Graduate Scheme

Waitrose Retail Management Graduate Scheme

Waitrose Retail Management Scheme

The Waitrose Retail Management Scheme is best suited to graduates who can cope with the pace and intensity of food retail – a world where lines are always changing, seasonal produce is valued, and local suppliers get involved. Succeeding here is about being totally connected to the shop floor and responding to our customers’ needs with speed and intelligence.

How this scheme is structured

After an intensive induction, you’ll be assigned to one of our branches. Here we’ll give you an overview of the systems, procedures and roles that can be found in every section of the store. About four months later, you'll take up your first management role as a trainee Section Manager. This will see you running checkouts, managing a large team and ensuring customers get served with speed and excellent service. After three to four months, you’ll be ready to deal with the day-to-day operation of a Waitrose branch as a Duty Manager.

Real accountability

You'll then progress to the level of acting Department Manager, with real accountability for the performance of several selling sections. Throughout, you’ll have the chance to take on extra projects. Within 18 months, you’ll be formally appointed in this role – with full responsibility for the performance and profitability of a £multi-million turnover operation. But this will just be the beginning. As part of our long-term strategy, we’re looking for graduates to progress to Branch Manager within a few years. The very best can then move on to our most senior roles in the future.

What we look for from you

Food retail is a fast-moving business that throws up new challenges and unexpected occurrences everyday. So, along with a genuine appreciation of fine food, you’ll need the ability to think laterally, analyse situations quickly and find the best solutions to problems. Natural leaders who can inspire confidence in others will thrive on this scheme – we believe in empowering people, not just telling them what to do. Of course, your commercial awareness underpins everything. Academically, you’ll need a degree level qualification at a 2:2 grade or above, plus GCSE-level Maths and English at grade C or above.

Skills Required:

Please see above.