BUYING & MERCHANDISING APPRENTICESHIP
#SCHOOL LEAVER PROGRAMME
Salary: £24,500
Closing Date: 31/01/2025
Apply now
Spot the trends before they arrive and learn how to match customers with the products they love. This programme will put you right at the heart of our Clothing and Home team.
About the role
We’re committed to helping you build a strong foundation in the business, offering a blend of on-the-job experience and structured learning at the Fashion Retail Academy. From day one, you'll be fully immersed in our world, working on real projects that shape the future of fashion and homeware at M&S.
What you'll be doing
Working in fashion is fast-paced and ever-evolving. Season to season, our goal is to delight customers with new must-have clothes and homeware collections. Behind-the-scenes, we’re constantly innovating, looking for greener, smarter, and speedier ways to get things done. If you’re excited to be right in the thick of it and making an impact, this is the programme for you.
Over the course of 18 months, you’ll rotate through our Buying and Merchandising departments, gaining hands-on experience and deep insights into each area. By the end of your rotations, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to pursue a career in Buying or Merchandising. You’ll play a key role in developing new ranges of clothing and home products, engaging with suppliers across the globe, and learning from experienced colleagues as you sharpen your creative and analytical skills.
On a day-to-day basis, you’ll be analysing data to pinpoint trends, predicting customer needs, and ensuring stock is exactly where it needs to be at the right time. You’ll also provide vital administrative support across teams, all while working towards a Level 4 Buying and Merchandising Apprenticeship. By the end of the programme, you’ll be fully equipped to step into a Buying or Merchandising Admin Assistant role.
What you'll need
You’ll need GCSEs in Maths (4-9/C-A*) and English (4-9/C-A*) and must not have already completed a Level 4 qualification or above in Fashion Retail, Buying or Merchandising. Additionally, you should have been a resident in the United Kingdom for at least the previous three years before the start of the programme or have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
What we look for
We’re looking for individuals with a genuine curiosity, a love for numbers, and a natural eye for detail. You should have a strong interest in the commercial world and a real passion for fashion. We value people who are eager to learn, resilient when faced with challenges, and always striving to do better. If that sounds like you, then you could be a key player in building the next era of retail at M&S.
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Being an in-person business
We're at our best when we're close to customers, and for many of us at M&S, that means working in store every day.
To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected. It also means we can solve problems as soon as they arise, learn and grow as a team, build trust, and get closer to our colleagues.
Example career path
- Buying Admin Assistant
- Assistant Buyer
- Junior Buyer
- Buyer
Learning & support
Your development is our priority. We’ll give you the opportunities to do some incredible things early in your career, but we’ll always make sure you have the support you need to seize those opportunities. From mentoring to on-the-job training, we’ll make sure you’re ready to unleash your potential and ignite your career.
Benefits
How to apply
We’ll provide reasonable adjustments during the interview process. Just tell us what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to accommodate you.
Application form
Your first step will be to complete our online application form and tell us more about who you are and why you want to work with us.
You can only apply to one graduate or school leaver programme during this recruitment cycle that starts in October 2024.
Online assessment
We’ll invite you to take part in an online assessment, where you can find out more about M&S whilst we find out more about you.
Assessment stage
If your online assessment is successful, you’ll be invited to an assessment centre alongside your peers. The recruitment process for store-based roles will also include an opportunity to attend your final interview in one of our stores.
Buying & Merchandising Apprenticeship
- Location
- Salary: £24,500
- Closing date: 31/01/2025