Junior Product Manager shares experience at Hillarys' Trainee Management Programme

Could you be our next Trainee Management Programme recruit?

 

If you’re driven, curious, collaborative and have an eye for detail, we want to hear from you! In this article, we speak to Lewis Taylor in the Product team, who started his career here on the programme.

 

 

Whether you’ve just finished studying, not sure what you want to do next or looking to take a new step in their career, this could be a great opportunity for you. And if you think you could be one of our future managers or leaders, then what are you waiting for? The programme opens up an extensive range of training, giving you the opportunity to get a flavour for different areas of the business, with a view to specialising in the future.

 

Lewis’ story

“I started here at HD Group UK back in October after being a successful applicant for the Management Designate Role,” says Lewis. “This was something that was introduced to me during my time at Sheffield Hallam University whilst studying BA Product Design. 

“A careers fair talk took place, and the role was something I found in my spare time on the back of using sources recommended at this talk. It was a three-stage process: answering online questions and completing an application form, having an online conversation with the Head of the Contact Centre, and then a face-to-face interview with her alongside the Head of UK Sales and Installations. 

“The application process was smooth and I was delighted to have been given to opportunity. I was told that joining this programme would allow me to explore all parts of the business should I be interested and show progressive passion and hard work throughout the role.

 

“I joined the designate programme and was instantly introduced to the Contact Centre. I learnt how to do a range of tasks, from understanding how to book appointments, take quotes from customers and action them to achieve the sale, as well as supporting Advisors and their BDMs in reallocating areas so that all customers could have access to an appointment.

“We were introduced to a network of people, from Directors to and Area Sales Managers. With the knowledge I was learning, I was also enrolled onto the advisor training courses. This is where I learnt more about the products we sell, including how to measure, fit and repair products. All this information seemed a lot, but it’s all paid dividends.

“From this, I was then introduced to Account Management, and had to undergo training in order to work with self-employed Advisors, as well as managing customer accounts. This brought new challenges each day, some harder than others, but it all helped me to manage my expectations of what I wanted to achieve.

 

“Showing interest and initiative, I wanted to explore how the Product team worked. Upon visiting, I was engaged immediately by everything the team did and found it fascinating. I was then made aware of a role that the team were recruiting for, and four months into my role, I decided to apply for this internally. 

“After preparing similarly to my first interview, I was successful and taken into the Product team. This is something that I have wanted to do since beginning my journey at university, and I am forever grateful to have been given this fantastic opportunity in an ever-growing business such as HD UK.

 

“Within my role now as a Junior Product Manager, I look after Wood, Faux and Bamboo Venetians across Retail and Trade, as well as starting a new process for Internal and External Communications to help the business work as collaboratively as possible, and increasing the efficiency between all stakeholders who have an interest throughout the business.

 “The programme is something that I will be forever grateful for, and would recommend to any university graduate who is eager, determined and passionate about progressing within work. I’ve gained such knowledge of the business which has enabled me to feel more comfortable when dealing with complicated tasks, and I have managed to find my dream job in Product. The opportunities from this can be endless, but it starts with you.”

 

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