Buying Graduate in Nottingham

Location: Nottingham, Support Office

About The Programme: Our Graduate Programme offers an exciting opportunity to launch your career in Buying. From day one, you'll be placed in a hands-on role where you'll make a meaningful contribution to key business objectives.

Application closing date: 19 April 2026

Assessment centre dates: May 2026

Start date: September 2026

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This three-year scheme begins with a 4-week in-store placement, giving valuable first-hand insight into customers and the day-to-day operations of our retail environment. After this, you'll move into a category-specific role in our Nottingham Support Office, taking responsibility for the day-to-day management of an area. Over the course of the programme, you'll complete two role rotations, each lasting 18 months, to broaden your experience across two of our core business units: Beauty, Healthcare, and General Merchandise. You'll collaborate with internal teams and external partners to build and deliver category plans. The programme includes functional-specific and certified negotiation training to ensure you are set up for success. You'll be supported throughout by a dedicated line manager and a mentor, with opportunities to connect with senior leaders and take part in development sessions for personal and professional growth. The 3-year scheme offers a clear and structured development pathway, preparing you to progress into a permanent Assistant Category Manager or Category Manager role upon completion, subject to performance.

Key Responsibilities

• As you will be placed within a Category team, you will have a direct opportunity to influence category plans, performance and growth.
• You will build relationships internally and externally with our supplier base, negotiating sought-after products and brands and agreeing optimum promotional and marketing plans for your category areas.
• Demonstrate team management skills, organise and prioritise multiple processes to ensure category plans land in stores right first time.
• Implement the commercial strategy, work towards core budget targets, and manage the category Profit & Loss to achieve these targets.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to secure the best possible plans and review potential product and brand launches for alignment with Boots strategic priorities.
• Work with your Category assistant to support their development and progression.

What You'll Need To Have

• On track to achieve, or already hold, a 2:1 degree or above
• A strong desire to problem-solve and adapt in a fast-paced, changing environment
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Confidently challenges processes and data to drive efficiencies
• Works well as part of a team and builds effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Shows drive for self-development and continuous growth
• Has a genuine passion for our products, brand, and what we do

Rewards

• Pension membership (PRSA)
• Partial paid maternity leave
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Generous employee discounts
• Flexible benefits scheme

At Boots UK, we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer, creating a place where everyone feels welcome, supported and free to be themselves. We're committed to creating a brilliant Boots for our people so they can make a difference for our customers and colleagues every time.

If you apply, our team will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application or to arrange next steps. Where a role is advertised as full-time, we are open to discussing part-time and job share options during the application process. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you be at your best. We hope to hear from you soon.