2023 Retail Management Graduate Programme (Rolling Intake)

About Marks And Spencers

Marks and Spencer Group plc is a major British multinational retailer with headquarters in Paddington, London that specializes in selling clothing, beauty, home products, and food products. M&S was founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds. It currently has 959 stores across the UK, including 615 that only sell food products and through its television advertising, asserts the exclusive nature and luxury of its food and beverages. It also offers an online food delivery service through a joint venture with Ocado.

Your Role

Over your first 12 months, learn to manage an entire store or department, inspire a team of passionate retail colleagues, and deliver success across various areas – like Food and Store Operations. You’ll even enjoy the opportunity to see how stores are run, from the supply chain through to the shop floor. It’s a big responsibility, and you’ll make an impact from day one, taking on your first management role within six months. This might seem daunting, but they'll be with you every step of the way. This program is about preparing you for a future role as Deputy Store Manager or Store Manager in one of the multimillion-pound stores. Through this preparation, they’ll teach you to craft meaningful and unique customer experiences. They’ll show you how to empower your team to exceed targets and put M&S on the map within your community. If you’re fast on your feet, ready to collaborate on a large scale, and have an analytical, calm, and people-first mindset, you’re the future legend they’re after. Beyond your first year, you’ll already be able to effectively run a store or sales floor, opening up numerous career options including the potential opportunity to work abroad in one of the international businesses.

Training, Development & Rotations

The program has been hugely successful, with over 150 colleagues applying to the program from different areas across the UK. Over the next two years, successful candidates will have the opportunity to rotate through various placements within Food Group. They will also be supported with training and development to enhance their knowledge and experience, which will ultimately lead to permanent roles at the end of the program. They can’t wait to watch them grow and reach their full potential!

Compensation & benefits

Their salaries are competitive and reviewed every year. Graduate salaries at Marks & Spencer can range from £16,423 - £27,300 per year.

• Receive a 20% discount in-store and online for you and a partner or family member
• Minimum of 28 days’ statutory holiday per year, pro-rata if you’re part-time
• Reduce your salary to get an extra holiday (conditions apply)
• Discretionary bonus schemes depending on your role and business performance
• Save 3% of your pay into Pension Saving Plan; they’ll add 6% more
• Cover for twice your salary up to age 70 (double with Pension Plan)
• Save £5 – £500 monthly for three years with the option to buy discounted shares
• Invest £10 - £150 monthly from your gross salary to buy M&S shares
• Save on your and your family's health expenses, gym memberships, and activewear

Career progression

The people they recruit all have one thing in common; the desire to learn, grow and develop. Whether you join a graduate scheme, an apprenticeship, or placement or join a store – you will receive the guidance and support you need with limitless opportunities to shape the career you want.

Work-life balance

One of the best things about M&S is how different they all are. They want similar things, but the amazing array of backgrounds, abilities, genders, and orientations inspires individual ways of getting there. If you’re wondering if they’re a business that actually cares about diversity, then the fact 40% of the senior management team is female and they continually aspire to develop female future leaders is one example. Since 2004 employability program, Marks & Start, has supported over 20,000 individuals facing barriers to getting into work. The internal inclusivity networks help colleagues to form allies and ensure their voice is heard. They truly are a feel-good place to work and they guarantee equal opportunities and policies to back it up.

Company Culture

Across the 18 core culture metrics, Marks & Spencer is rated a B by the 49 employees that have left culture ratings. When evaluating the question “should I work at Marks & Spencer?” you should ask yourself if you prioritize CEO Rating, Perks And Benefits, and Leadership. If those culture dimensions rank highly for you, then Marks & Spencer could be a great fit to apply for a job, as those metrics rank in the top 5 culture dimensions for Marks & Spencer, with Marks & Spencer's CEO Rating being in the Top 20% for all similarly sized companies. This being said, Marks & Spencer does not score as highly for Diversity or Meetings.

About you

You don’t need a specific degree to apply for this program, but you’ll need a passion for retail, a customer-centric approach, and an interest in the commercial world.

How to apply

To apply for this position, click the “Apply on employer site” button on this page.

Sources

• wikipedia.com
• youtube.com
• comparably.com
• glassdoor.com
• jobs.marksandspencer.com