Graduate Trainee in
General Management
“I studied languages at Newcastle University and am now on the general management graduate scheme. On this scheme I spend up to four months in different departments of the business, and have so far worked in retail, HR, property and procurement. I was attracted to this scheme as I can ‘try’ different departments before I decide where I would ultimately like to work, which gives me a breadth of experience.
All graduates start with four months in retail and I was really apprehensive about this as I had absolutely no retail experience. However, the people were so welcoming and supportive I had nothing to worry about. My retail experience is proving invaluable now as I move to different departments, taking the contacts I made in retail and the understanding of store operations and processes with me.
Currently I am in procurement where I’m working with our procurement buyers to drive cost savings by reviewing our suppliers. The department is very fast paced and every day I have to build on the customer service skills I developed in retail, liaising with new and existing suppliers to manage services and indirect goods.
I’m from Cambridge but after my retail placement I moved to Nottingham as it’s the nearest large city. I live with six others in a house share so I now have a good group of friends outside of work.”
