Buying Graduate

About the programme

Our programme offers a unique blend of learning, combining face-to-face and digital modules with practical 
on-the-job experiences to support personal and professional development. The programme will help you to develop skills, knowledge and provides all the stretch and challenge needed to accelerate a career at Boots.

There is an opportunity to gain a true breadth and depth of experiences and take real accountability from day one, with ambitious goals, high challenge and in return you will receive all the care, encouragement and support you need.

About your role

Your Buying scheme starts with a 4 week placement in store to immerse yourself into the daily workings of our stores environment. After this you will spend 3 years rotating around the Buying function across different category areas. Your roles will be based within the Nottingham Support Office and will cover a variety of departments including Healthcare, Beauty, and General Merchandise.  

The programme will include functional specific and certified negotiation training to ensure you are set up for success. We will also provide quarterly training to develop you and your leadership skills. You will have the opportunity to be involved in wider projects to both display your newly learnt skills; spending time across different areas within buying and providing exposure to the wider senior leadership team.  

You will have the opportunity to work across some of the most exciting brands and products; identify the latest trends and bring the best of Health & Beauty to the market. With the opportunity to work across our broad range of category areas from Cosmetics & Skincare right the way through to Baby and Vitamins, our assistant buyers have a true passion for product.

What you'll do  
You will build relationships both internally and externally with our large supplier base, working collaboratively to negotiate the most sought-after products and brands in the market whilst ensuring you agree the optimum promotional and marketing plans for your category areas. Demonstrating your team management skills and organising & prioritising multiple processes that ensure your category plans land in stores right first time.

You will also implement the commercial strategy working towards core Budget targets and managing the category Profit & Loss to achieve these targets.  

You will work with the marketing team to secure the best possible plans and reviewing potential product and brand launches and deciding if they align with the Boots strategic priorities. 
Work with your Category assistant to support their development and progression.  

What you’ll need to have

• Must be on track or have achieved a 2:1 degree (or higher)

It would be great if you also have

• Strong attention to detail and the desire to solve problems and see them through to resolution
• Strong organisational and time management capabilities and an ability to deliver to tight deadlines 
• An ability to cope with change in a fast-paced environment
• An ability to challenge processes / figures and deliver efficiencies
• An ability to work well as part of a team, and be able to build effective and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• A drive for self-development and growth
• A passion for products, our brand and what we do

Our benefits

• Generous employee discounts
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Flexible benefits scheme including option to buy additional holiday, discounted gym membership, life assurance, activity passes and much more.
• Access to corporate discounts and offers, including travel, retail, entertainment and more.
• Access to free, 24/7 counselling and support through TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Boots Retirement Savings Plan 
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay and gift card for anyone expecting or adopting a child 

We have a great range of benefits in addition to the above that offer flexibility to suit you - find out more at boots.jobs/rewards. Exclusions may apply, eligible roles only. 

Why Boots

At Boots, we foster a working environment where consideration and inclusivity help everyone to be themselves and reach their full potential. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, passionate about embracing the diversity of our colleagues and providing a positive and inclusive working environment for all. As the heart of everything we do at Boots, with you, we change for the better.

What's next

After submitting your application, you will be invited to complete an online assessment. If your application is successful following this, our recruitment team will be in touch to invite you to an assessment centre and to answer any initial questions you have. If you have not been successful on this occasion you will be contacted by email. 

If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you to be at your best.

Boots is a Ban the Box employer and will consider the suitability of applicants with criminal convictions on a case-by-case basis.