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Programme Programme length: 2 years
Did you know we are the world’s largest consumer co-operative? We’re an organisation that’s constantly changing, growing and investing. Which means you’ll be taking on a succession of projects right from the start. What’s more, you’ll be expected to drive them forward. And in true pioneering style, you’ll get to put your own ideas into practice. From major, long-term initiatives to small one-off projects, everything you work on will have a real impact on the business.
Induction
You’ll get off to a flying start with a two week long introduction to the business. You’ll meet various people you’ll be working alongside including managers, directors, and of course your buddy. They’ve already been through the programme and will help you along on your journey. As part of your induction you’ll also take on a mini project, helping you get to grips with the other business areas, while giving you the chance to build your network of contacts.
Customer Insight Project
Your first big project will focus on our customers. After all, they’re at the centre of everything we do. We’ll team you up with other graduates and give you a challenging customer issue to investigate. You’ll need to plan your approach as a team, manage your time and get to the heart of the issue. Then comes the hard bit: identifying recommendations and presenting to senior managers. It’s by no means a paper exercise. We really want to see your ideas, so we can use them to improve the business.
Business Projects
Next up is a sequence of real life projects, across a number of different business functions. In each and every one, you’ll be helping to shape our future through high-profile work – change initiatives that span the length and breadth of our business. There are all kinds of areas to get involved in, from marketing and buying, to human resources and strategic planning. Plus, rather than being passed from function to function, you’ll be able to choose the projects that you work on. In other words, you’ll shape your own experience and your own career in the process. Whether you’re launching a new product or helping to integrate an acquired business, you’ll learn how to lead projects, manage people and negotiate successfully. All the things you need to respond effectively to the huge challenges – and potential – of a growing, changing business.
This will mean tough but realistic personal objectives, along with valuable exposure to senior managers through delivering presentations and monthly progress reports. On the left of this page, you’ll find links to some past examples of projects our graduates have worked on. They’ll give you a real feel for the quality of work, and the level of responsibility, challenge and variety on offer. In fact, they’re sure to give you everything you need to become a future leader at The Co-operative Group.
Learning & Development Reviews
Learning is constant. So we make sure we review your performance and progress continually. You’ll have regular formal review meetings with your line manager, during which you’ll be encouraged to reflect on your experiences and performance. This will help you to plan the next steps, meaning you can focus on your future development needs.
Management Development Programmes
Starting with feedback from your assessment centre, your development path will draw together every aspect of your learning. You’ll embark on a structured development programme covering everything from commercial awareness to leadership skills. Put simply, it will give you everything you’ll need to take your career – and the business – forward. Better still, you’ll have a wide range of support including a mentor, a personal development budget and all the encouragement you need to drive your career.
6 month Business Role
To help launch your career, you’ll undertake a six-month business role within your chosen area. This will make sure you get the specialist skills needed to take on a management role at the end of the programme. Previous graduates have become Strategic Planning Analysts, Procurement Managers and Senior Marketing Managers, to name just a few. As you can see, the opportunities are varied and we’ll work with you to give you the right opportunities, whichever direction you’re headed.
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What makes someone a good addition to the business? When it comes to our graduates, it’s not just down to your academic achievements. As an ethical organisation, it’s down to the values, opinions and beliefs that make you who you are. After all, we’re looking for future pioneers within the business. To make an impact you’ll need to work hard and earn respect, so you’ll also need to be confident, tough, resilient and flexible. People who are ready to take on early responsibility and stretch the objectives of a project. That’s just who we’re looking for. And if we’re the right place for you, it’s the sort of challenge you’ll be looking for too. To get an even clearer picture, take a look below at the skills and behaviours you’ll need to succeed on the programme:
Confidence
A belief in your ability to deliver success; the resilience to deal with adversity; the courage to stand up for what you believe is right in the interests of the organisation.
Managing Self
The ability to recognise your capability levels, motives and emotions and the triggers for those. Also the ability to understand the impact this has on your own thinking processes, behaviour and performance. The commitment and determination to grow and develop as a result of this awareness.
Thinking
The ability to make sense of data/situations and understand what needs to be done, in order to make decisions and bring about business success.
Customer Focus
It is the genuine desire to understand customers*, their needs, concerns and behaviour and to anticipate, meet and, wherever possible, exceed their expectations. * Customer refers to the people who buy our products and services, as well as clients, patients, etc.
Achieving
The behaviour that drives leaders to get things done in an appropriate manner. It is underpinned by a desire to achieve and/or surpass standards of excellence and deliver business goals, initiating action and making timely decisions. It also involves a concern for pace, completion and delivery.
Influencing
The intention and subsequent actions to influence and engage others with your views and opinions in line with the Co-operative Group’s strategic intent and interests.
Team Leadership
The intention, desire and focus on choosing to lead, inspire and develop a group of people providing shared purpose, direction and co-ordination of actions. At the higher levels it is about engaging the hearts and minds and harnessing the different capabilities of others to create a strong team.
Collaboration and Teamwork
A desire to work collaboratively and supportively with peers, colleagues, co-team members over whom one has no hierarchical authority – underpinned by the belief that this will help the organisation achieve results.
Commercial Awareness
A combination of knowledge, understanding, perspective and mental agility, supported by helpful values
Co-operative Commitment
Empathises with the Co-operative model and values. Understands the day-to-day implications of the model and works constructively with that understanding to move the organisation forward. Is protective of the reputation of the organisation.
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