Job Profile: Ceri

Front End Manager

Tesco Mid Glamorgan

Attended Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen, a Welsh language school in Pontypridd, South Wales. Achieved 12 GCSEs and three A-levels: History, Politics and Sociology.

I was already working for Tesco when a Personnel Manager, who was on placement in my store, told me about the Tesco Trainee Management Programme. If it weren’t for her, I would never have known about it! The programme has allowed me to achieve something in six months that I’d been trying to achieve in two years through normal training. It instantly raised my profile and gave me the opportunity to show what I had to offer. I have friends who have done the Graduate programme and I have been appointed before them. Some have spent longer on the Graduate scheme and entered at the same time as I have – yet I have more hands-on experience and know more than they do.

“Within six months of starting the programme, I was signed off and appointed as Bakery Manager.”

My goals are to be signed onto the Senior team in six months, to be Store Manager in five years and to spend time working overseas and in Head Office. Tesco has given me the opportunity to have a career plan that is challenging but still achievable. They’ve provided an environment where I have been able to develop and test my leadership skills, and work with people from varying backgrounds and different age groups. 

The training is well structured and straightforward. There are goals and milestones to achieve and it’s very easy to track your own progress. You must invest time in yourself, be driven, self-motivated and eager to learn new things. Retail is very demanding, and it’s always important to remember the customer comes first. It helps that I currently work in my store; I believe it’s one of the best stores in Wales. There, we have a very strong Management Team, and I’m lucky to be being developed by one of the best Store Managers the business has. He drives the team forward, and ensures we understand we’re there to deliver for the customer and our staff.

 “I would definitely recommend the programme to my friends.”

I’d tell them that if they want a challenging, fulfilling career, with the opportunity to meet and work with many different people all over the world, then Tesco is the company for them. That’s probably the best thing about being here for me – the chance to work in different environments and countries.