GIST 2025 graduate opportunities

Company Company profile

At Gist, we pride ourselves in transforming supply chains, with a proven track record spanning 50 years. Our vision is to be our customers’ first choice for logistics, innovation, excellence and partnership.

Gist’s unique proposition lies in our expertise in transforming large-scale end-to-end supply chains for our food retailer customers – from farm to factory, production to distribution centre and delivery to supermarket, convenience store or restaurant.

Gist has a national network of strategically placed sites and the largest temperature controlled transport fleet in the UK. This winning combination enables Gist’s customers to reduce their environmental impact and deliver the best possible experience to their customers, every day.

Our reach extends globally. Through our control tower capability, Gist solves problems for customers in the increasingly complex and demanding world of global supply chains moving chilled, perishable, ambient and hazardous products by air, sea and land.

Gist invests in exceptional people, who are driven, enthusiastic and passionate about achieving the best in everything they do. Early responsibility, coupled with a supportive environment and hands-on training, ensures that our people reach their full potential and have every opportunity to make a difference.

The shared success of Gist is achieved through our people, who lead and energise their teams to deliver results.

Case studies

Name: Victoria Bartlett
Role: Operational Graduate Trainee
University: Cardiff University
Degree: Genetics

"The recruitment process was the best of any other graduate scheme I had applied for."

Description:

The recruitment process was the best of any other graduate scheme I had applied for. Also speaking to current Gist graduates at the time of the recruitment outlined key aspects of Gist that I valued. The scheme offers great flexibility and opportunity with in it during the 2 years with regard to location and different types of roles.

Use the people around who have the experience and learn from them, however also back yourself to make your own decisions and mistakes, as this is the best way to learn.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions whatever the situation.

Try and learn as much as you can by being proactive and don’t be afraid to enquire about other projects or departments to try and give yourself a more rounded idea of the site or sites.

Name: Reade Whiteman
Role: Industrial Placement Team Manager
University: University of Brighton
Degree: Business Management

"My daily role would see me manage a team of up to 40 people."

Description:

The responsibility and opportunities an Industrial Placement year with Gist offers is something very few companies can give you and is hard to come by at such a young age.

The broad experience I have gained has surpassed my expectations and is something I have truly relished. My daily role would see me manage a team of up to 40 people.

Being a 20 year old student, this has helped me to quickly and efficiently develop new skills and helped to mould me into the confident manager I am today.

Gist invests heavily in its Industrial Placement students and Graduates and this is emphasised through several training courses and social events organised throughout the year. It’s always great comparing work related stories with other Industrial Placement Students and Graduates from other sites around the country at the social events and these are certainly some of my many highlights of the year.

Training & profiles

Communicating for Results:
A one day workshop which outlines a formal communication approach to ensure you are communicating effectively.

It will help you to:
• Understand why communication is important to you and the organisation
• Understand how to deliver clear, purposeful and effective communication
• Use effective communication to support the culture within the organisation.

Leading in an Involved Environment:
• A one day workshop which explores leadership styles, how the CPRs are demonstrated, an introduction to the GROW model and how to create a coaching environment.
• Allows you as a Manager to lead in an involved environment by:
• Ensuring people are treated properly
• Enabling everyone to be fully involved
• Empowering others to influence their environment
• Encouraging people to make a difference

IMS and Compliance:
The purpose of the IMS/Compliance session is to set out the minimum standards for managing the various operations within the Gist portfolio so as to ensure legal compliance, best practice and robust management in all the areas covered by the modules.

3 Day SHEQ:
The course is provided by a specialist health and safety training provider and is designed to be as participative as possible within the constraints of the subject matter. At the end of day 3 there is a short multi-choice questionnaire

designed to assess the level of knowledge gained.

Accident Investigation, Level 1:

To enable delegates to understand:
• The causes of accidents
• When to report accidents
• The steps for conducting an effective initial accident investigation
• How to conduct initial interviews

Absence Management, Disciplinary and Grievance, Performance Management Training with Human Resources

Application procedure

Please apply to the live roles listed on graduate-jobs.com before the 28th February 2020.

FAQs

Q: What qualifications do I need to apply?
You need to have achieved, or be predicted to achieve, a bachelor's degree in any degree discipline by the time you start with us.

Q: Can I apply to more than one programme in the same year?
All of our schemes are very different, therefore we would recommend researching which scheme you feel you would be best suited to before applying. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at graduates@gistworld.com and we will be happy to help.

Q: Can I apply to the Gist Graduate Scheme if I graduated more than two years ago?
Yes you can, as long as you meet our entry requirements for the Graduate Scheme.

Q: Can I apply if I haven’t graduated yet?
You can apply for our Graduate Schemes before you graduate, however you will need to have obtained your degree prior to joining us. We also offer Industrial Placement Schemes in Operations Management for those students whose universities have sandwich courses.

Q: I do not have a driving license - can I still apply?
You can apply, but please be aware that you will need to possess a full UK driving license by the time you commence employment with us.

Q: When does the Graduate Scheme start?
Our UK Graduate and Industrial Placement schemes start in September, so if you are applying to us in September 2018 then you would join us in September 2019.

Q: What does the recruitment process look like?
Following application screening, you will be asked to partake in a competency-based video interview with a member of our HR team. If your video interview is successful, candidates applying to our Operations Management Scheme will then be invited to attend an insight day at one of our operational sites, which will involve a tour and a Question and Answer session with some of our current graduates. You will also have a competency-based interview with one of our operational managers. The final stage for all candidates is an assessment centre at our Head Office in Basingstoke, which will consist of speed interviews, a presentation and a group exercise.

Q: Will I need to take any online tests as part of the selection process?
There are no online tests as part of our recruitment process.

Q: What support do you offer for relocation?
We will provide accommodation for you in a hotel close to your site for up to two weeks prior to or from your start date at that site. We will also put you in touch with a Buddy before you join Gist, who will be a current graduate with experience of your site who can help to advise you on the best places to live.

Am I guaranteed a place on the Graduate Scheme if I have completed my Industrial Placement with Gist?
Similarly to the Graduate Scheme, we create a tailored development plan for our Industrial Placement students. We will make an informed decision as to whether our Graduate Scheme is suitable for an Industrial Placement student following regular performance reviews and discussions between the student, their Line Manager and the Graduate Recruitment and Development team.

Q: What is the process for obtaining a role at Gist once I have completed the Graduate Scheme?
At Gist, we offer a tailored development programme throughout the scheme, including regular performance reviews with your line manager as well as aspirational discussions with the Graduate Recruitment and Development team. As you come to the end of the scheme, you will be given plenty of guidance and support around how best to continue to further your career with Gist.

Q: What benefits will I receive whilst on the Industrial Placement scheme?
If you have a successful year with us, you will have the opportunity to be fast-tracked onto our Operations Management Scheme. Graduates who are returning Industrial Placements will undertake a shortened graduate scheme which is reduced in length from two years to eighteen months, enabling rapid progression within Gist.

You will receive a salary of £19,000 with 25 days holiday; there is also a discretionary performance-related bonus scheme, pension scheme and healthcare.

You will be allocated a buddy a few months before you start, to help you get settled into life at Gist. You will also be allocated a mentor from our senior management team who will be there to offer support and guidance on your career development within Gist.

We know that moving could be worrying and stressful– we give you time to find the right place and pay for up to two weeks in a hotel near your new site

Whether it’s personal or professional, the Employee Assistance Helpline offers counselling, financial and legal advice as well as an online health portal

• 25 days holiday
• Discretionary performance-related bonus scheme
• Pension scheme
• Healthcare
• Gist 4 Me - offering great discounts across retail and leisure outlets

What's the GIST 2019/20 graduate starting salary?

£26,500