"I’d already worked with Somerfield for the best part of 10 years - in school, at University and after graduation, so I knew them well by the time I applied for the Retail Management Programme. I also applied to Aldi, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, but this is the best decision I have made in my career and I have absolutely no regrets. I was very impressed by the induction and the importance placed on the programme by the company board. The HR team and senior management have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome - not just for the first week, but throughout my time here.
The training and development really is second to none. We were given all the time and attention we needed and I constantly felt I was pushing against open doors, with all levels of the business only too happy to help and support my programme of development. I was fortunate to be invited to help rewrite our new Reach folder - a huge challenge that’s seen us roll out a new training and development tool across the company. I’m also proud that I went into a store to complete part of my accountability as Trading Manager - and ended up running a store taking £150k a week for 18 weeks, when the store manager was on long-term sickness leave.
Most recently, I’ve been appointed as the Senior Trading Manager for a dual site store, meaning I effectively run one store while the store manager runs the other store in town. It’s been a huge challenge that’s really tested all the training and development I’ve received over the last year. It’s only when you take control of the running of a store or department that you realise whether you actually know what you’re doing! Fortunately, the Programme gives you the expertise you need. It’s very hard work, the hours can be long - but the Programme is very enjoyable and the end result is hugely rewarding."
"I applied for a number of Retail Management Programmes, including those at Aldi, Asda, Morrisons and Tesco, but I chose Somerfield because I could see how quickly the company was changing and how promising the future was. I haven’t been let down! It’s very fast-paced, change is the norm - and the Training & Development Programme was truly comprehensive, allowing me to plan my own training, put in the hard work that I wanted and progress as quickly as I could.
The results are beginning to pay off as I became the first Graduate to get onto the Store Manager Designate programme. I’m aiming to run my own store over the next two years and then maybe go for the Regional Manager in Training programme. Whatever direction the future holds for me, this is the place for graduates who want something that’s fast-paced, fun, very customer-focused - and genuinely rewarding. If you’re mobile and prepared to grab the opportunities that come your way, you should seriously consider the programme at Somerfield."
Our special combination of formal introduction, development workshops, personal mentorship and project work to solve real business issues will see you develop your communication and influencing skills, learn how to prioritise commercially and effectively, put your creative problem-solving skills to the test... and demonstrate how to manage the change that is constant in a fast-paced business such as ours.