Commercial Manager / Project Manager Review

The overall placement with Marks and Spencer has been fantastic; you're given real opportunities from day one, with reasonability but not accountability. Opportunities to try a range of roles and working environments are regular and hard work is rewarded with more chances to show your talent. This placement year has had highs and lows, but that’s to be expected. You are pushed hard from the start and whilst training is given in a very structured format, some “can you swim” mentality is carried throughout the company.

Having worked in Head Office and a range of stores I have worked within multiple teams this year and found that there is a strong bond between colleagues at all levels of the business. Managers (on the whole) were approachable and treated you with respect and the way that direct reports communicate with you shows you're valued and respected when you earn it.

Due to the nature of the role I undertook in the office I spent alot of time "self managing" my time and role, however during my time in stores I felt supported, could look for guidance from a range of stakeholders and learnt how to manage / influence this during my year

Retail is an inconsistent business - its nature is to trade in peaks and troughs. Some days on the shop floor, you would work your socks off & work extra hours to ensure success (the scheme isn't for the light hearted - you do have to put the hours in!) but other days you may have time to breath & reflect on your success/achievements.

The project that I managed during my time in the office was very unique, and after proving myself as trustworthy & building a strong relationship I was given complete control of the events. During my time in store it was a similar story, the more you deliver the more you're entrusted to be reasonable for. One great thing about the scheme is whilst you're reasonable, you're not accountable - mistakes can be made, but of course you try not too!

The benefits of my learning’s can already been seen in my academic successes of my placement year project, my communication skills have improved because of the training received and I have built a strong set of managerial skills. I also carry a very different view on many of the competencies that M&S breed into you as a manager and have matured hugely from the process. Every chance you get within M&S is an opportunity to learn a new skill or improve those you already carry. This isn't a scheme for the faint hearted, and as with many major retailers you do have to work hard & long hours - but the hard work is rewarded and recognised. P.s. You’ll never look at customer service or retail stores the same way again!

The atmosphere differs hugely between teams and enviroment, whilst the majority are fun places to work - some are harder to settle into and can be testing.

The placement appeared to be well planned out from the start however I think a more pragmatist approach is taken to most schemes, where they are adapted to the individual. You are used as a resource on your region and this has involved changing stores and roles at two or three days notice, which for me living at home has been fine – for those who moved on the scheme, it did cause issue!

Training courses are made available to cover a huge number of key skills and these are both fantastic places to learn and great fun (as you get time with other grads & BPP's). You are expected to take onboard a huge amount of information in very quick sessions though.

I'm currently waiting to confirm an offer with the business but they have invested a huge amount of money in my training and they do look to ensure they benefit from the skills you have gained.

A good balance and few "friends for life" made during the year.

Lucky to be located close to home so living costs were great - socialising is a good use of a respectable pay packet.

Lived at home - N/A

The Christmas party was smashing, other than that no real "organised" social activities.