If you want to take your first career steps in an environment that’s truly inspiring, always changing and constantly looking to push boundaries, this is the place to be.
A more challenging role
The procurement division are constantly coming up with innovative approaches to add value to the society, including facilitating e-auctions for goods and services. They are responsible for a wide range of commercial interventions across a spectrum of differing categories of expenditure often running into millions of pounds. They support the provision of services such as car fleet service, professional services, furniture, travel, printing, mail and building maintenance to name just a few!! There is therefore the chance to be involved in contract negotiation and the sourcing of new suppliers for a huge and diverse range of products and services.
As a new entrant to our procurement graduate programme you can look forward to comprehensive training, plenty of scope for development and exposure to a very wide range of business areas – offering an experience that few other careers can match. There will be plenty of encouragement and we will provide support for you to gain a Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply qualification.
During your 2 year development programme, you’ll undertake 3 placements that cover a period in the Procurement Operations function as well as time in 2 of the Sourcing functions. This might include being involved in strategically important technology transformation activities, supporting one of our award winning marketing campaigns or helping the Society manage its 3rd party relationships through effective risk mitigation programmes.
Our sourcing functions manage buying activity by grouping together related products and services such as IT, Employee Services or Stationery across the group. Procurement Operations handle all the “back office” processes. These include managing change around process, systems, and technology, and adding value by providing spend analysis and policy compliance reporting.
Whatever part of Procurement you find yourself in, you’ll be working in close liaison with business stakeholders and suppliers to source the very best products and services that deliver cost savings and add value to that all-important bottom line.
A more talented person
A graduate, you’ll have earned a minimum 2.1 degree in either maths, economics, statistics, IT, finance, banking, law, engineering or physics, together with at least 260 UCAS points (excluding General Studies).
As well as the minimum qualifications, we welcome people who are creative thinkers, innovative in both outlook and approach. You’ll need to be a great communicator too, adept at building effective relationships with people both inside and outside of Nationwide.
Combined with commercial awareness, you’ve also have lots of drive, commitment and a real determination to succeed. That might be evidenced by excellent academic achievement, related work or life experience that shows how you’ve gone above and beyond all expectations.
Our placement locations
All applicants need to be flexible and prepared to relocate if necessary as the placements could be UK wide. Chances are, the majority of your placements will be in our head office in Swindon. An hour from London and surrounded by the beauty of the Cotswolds and Wiltshire Downs, Swindon started life as a small market village. Now a bustling town brimming with shops, restaurants and bars, it holds on to its heritage in the parks, gardens, museums and galleries that enrich the surrounding areas.
Affordable housing and a lower cost of living makes it popular with those wanting to move from the city. And with plans to regenerate the town in full swing, there’s never been a better time to join them.
An employer you’ll be proud of
Our mutual status means we’re here to benefit customers, not shareholders. Our commitment to customers, not shareholders, has always been what sets us apart from our competitors. And now, more than ever, our reputation for being open, honest and trustworthy is helping us go from strength to strength. In fact, it’s made us the world’s biggest building society as well as a major local employer.
Underpinning it all is a commercial operation that never stands still. We’re always thinking ahead, aiming higher and sharpening our competitive edge. That’s why we invest in people who are not only proud of what we stand for, but who also have the talent and drive to boost our performance still further.
The rewards you deserve
If you put a lot in, it’s only fair you should get a lot out. Help us continue to offer customers the best possible experience, and we’ll give you all the support, recognition and rewards you deserve. As well as a great working environment and plenty of scope for development and growth, you can expect a generous package that includes pension, life assurance, healthcare and bonus scheme.
For further information on all our graduate programmes and to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.nationwide-jobs.co.uk/graduate-schemes
