The John Lewis Partnership occupies a unique position in British retail, we’re run by and for the people who work here – our Partners. With the significant number of new department stores we are planning to open, the opportunities to have a successful management career in ourbusiness are increasing.

The John Lewis graduate training scheme is an excellent opportunity for graduates looking for a fast track career into senior management within one of the most successful retailers in the UK. Graduates who make the most of the opportunities we offer have gone on to senior positions in our business. Currently two forme graduate trainees sit on the Partnership’s Board of Directors.

Our training programme for graduates begins with a focus within our stores. Graduates start in their first training branch, initially learning the basics of how we provide our customers with excellent products and service. Within a few weeks, graduates are given responsibility for leading and managing others. After 6 months, and following a month long secondment in our central offices, graduates move to a second training branch to continue their development, aiming to demonstrate their readiness to manage their own selling department.

Department Managers in John Lewis have the responsibility for the sales and profits of a selling department in one of our stores, (upwards from £4 million sales turnover a year) and the success and happiness of the people working there. Attaining the post of a Department Manager is the short term focus of our graduates, who are expected to be ready to take on this role within 12-18 months of joining. Graduates can then progress their careers into senior management positions in our stores or in other areas including Buying, Distribution, Merchandising, Personnel and Finance.

To succeed as a graduate trainee in John Lewis, you need to be passionate about working in retail and have the drive to move your career forwards. You need to be able to deal with a challenging pace of development and show both commercial awareness and an ability to motivate and inspire those around you.

Number of graduate vacancies per year
20 graduates in 2008

Work locations
UK-wide

Salary and benefits
£21,500 plus impressive benefits package

Application procedure
Online application form

Deadline
Late November 2007