At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Marketing Graduate Programme and shape how we connect with customers and promote our products.
- Company: Sysco GB, a global leader in foodservice wholesale distribution.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, discounts on products, and support for professional qualifications.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in a creative environment while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 2:2 degree or above, passion for food, and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture where your unique talents are celebrated.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Welcome to the Sysco GB Merchandising Graduate Programme! We’re a global leader in foodservice wholesale distribution with over 76,000 colleagues across 10 countries. Our purpose is to connect the world to share food and care for one another, supplying expertise, products and partnerships that power every corner of the industry.
Our Marketing Graduate Programme is your opportunity to help shape how we tell our story, connect with customers, and champion the products that chefs and caterers rely on every day, all while building your career in a creative, fast‑paced, and commercially driven environment. You’ll gain hands-on experience across the full marketing mix, working directly with brand, digital, content, and customer insight teams. This is a programme for communicators: people who can think creatively, work collaboratively, and express ideas with clarity and confidence. You’ll be balancing multiple priorities, applying insight to shape decisions, and developing the judgement needed to deliver marketing that drives value, differentiation, and customer engagement.
We’re looking for curious minds and strategic thinkers who enjoy solving problems through creativity, data, and bold, customer‑focused ideas. If you’re ready to unlock your potential, influence real outcomes, and help bring our brands and products to life across the UK, this is the place for you. Your journey starts here - let’s make it extraordinary.
The Sysco GB Graduate Programme is designed to give you an exciting and inspiring start to your career. You’ll gain hands-on experience, take part in structured learning, and receive personalised mentorship to help you transition into the workplace and develop the skills and confidence needed to grow as a future leader. Through key business rotations, you’ll work on real projects, collaborate with a variety of teams, and gain valuable exposure to senior leaders.
As part of Sysco’s Marketing Graduate Programme, you’ll rotate through key placements helping you understand how each part of our team works, how they connect to internal & external stakeholders, and how we communicate, promote and deliver value to our customers every day. Whether supporting customer campaigns, shaping brand propositions, analysing loyalty data or helping strengthen our digital presence, you’ll contribute to real projects that influence customer engagement and commercial performance.
You’ll Be Gaining Experience In…
- Customer experience & customer marketing – Understanding customer journeys, shaping targeted communications and supporting campaigns that drive loyalty and retention.
- Commercial & pricing strategy – Learning how pricing, margin and merchandising insight influence marketing decisions and value perception.
- Promotions, loyalty & analytics – Using data to evaluate campaign performance, optimise promotions and strengthen loyalty programmes.
- Brand & proposition development – Helping build brand stories, craft product propositions and support content that inspires and informs our customers.
- Digital & e‑commerce – Supporting digital campaigns, online content, and platform optimisation to drive customer engagement and conversion.
- Cross‑functional communication & presentations – Bringing insights and ideas to life for stakeholders across the business.
You’ll also be fully supported to complete relevant technical training/certificates that support your placement journey. This is your chance to make an impact, learn from industry experts, and kick start your career towards becoming a Marketing Executive within one of our teams.
Key Info
- This programme is based at our head office in Ashford, Kent
- Placement rotations will be a combination of onsite and hybrid working models
- 39hrs a week, Monday – Friday
- Some travel required (includes graduate workshops, Marketing or business events)
What you’ll need to succeed
- A minimum of a 2:2 or above Bachelors degree (or equivalent)
- Right to work in the UK by the start of your employment
- Keen interest in pursuing a career in Merchandising/Procurement
- Genuine passion for food
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment & independently
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Proactive, adaptable, and eager to learn
- Initiative and a growth mindset
The Application Process
If you’re interested in joining us – apply now! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and if you meet our entry criteria you’ll be asked to complete a short online assessment. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete a strengths-based video interview. If successful at this stage, the final step will be an invite to join us onsite for an interview/assessment exercise. Support and guidance will be provided throughout the process and further information about each step can be found here.
What we offer
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Support to undertake your CIPS Professional qualification (optional)
- Pension + life assurance
- Heavily discounted staff sales on Sysco products
- Cashback/discount platform
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Volunteering hours
Additional Information
At Sysco GB everyone is welcome. We don’t want you to ‘fit our culture’ we want you to help define it and we actively celebrate the unique talents of each and every colleague. We don’t just look at your CV, we’re more focused on who you are and your potential. As part of our values, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone has a voice, is appreciated and has the same opportunities. We work hard to ensure that everyone feels part of our business, as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone belongs and thrives at Sysco GB and we recognise that Sysco GB can only thrive when everyone feels they belong. We’ll do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our resourcing team who will be happy to support you.
Marketing Graduate in Ashford employer: TargetJobs UK
Contact Detail:
TargetJobs UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Marketing Graduate in Ashford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about asking for a chat. They can give you insider info about the company culture and what it’s really like to work there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching Sysco GB’s recent projects and campaigns. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute your own ideas. Plus, it’ll help you stand out from the crowd!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! You’ll need to express your ideas clearly and confidently, so think of examples from your experiences that showcase your creativity and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the latest updates and opportunities there.
We think you need these skills to ace Marketing Graduate in Ashford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: Make sure to highlight your genuine interest in food and the foodservice industry. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at Sysco GB!
Be Creative in Your Approach: Since we’re looking for communicators who can think creatively, don’t hesitate to showcase your unique ideas and perspectives in your application. Let your personality shine through!
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Mention specific experiences that relate to marketing and how they’ve prepared you for this graduate programme.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining us at Sysco GB!
How to prepare for a job interview at TargetJobs UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Sysco's mission and values. Understand their role in foodservice wholesale distribution and how they connect with customers. This knowledge will help you articulate how your skills align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Since the role is all about creativity and communication, come prepared with examples of past projects where you used innovative thinking. Whether it’s a marketing campaign or a group project, be ready to discuss how you approached challenges creatively.
✨Be Data Savvy
Sysco values analytical skills, so brush up on how data influences marketing decisions. Be prepared to discuss any experience you have with data analysis or how you've used insights to drive customer engagement in previous roles or projects.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of projects you'll be working on, or how success is measured in the programme. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.