Logistics Graduate Programme

Learn what it takes to be a leader in logistics

Kickstart your career with a two-year programme that develops your skills and knowledge. Explore three eight-month placements in different locations across our UK network. These rotations will give you exposure to several roles in logistics – from warehousing to transport and beyond. You’ll also be assigned a senior mentor who will support you and your flourishing career.

Apply now

Professional qualifications

We fund all Logistics Graduates to complete their:

  • International Certificate in Professional Competency (CPC)
  • IOSH Managing Safely
  • Fork Lift Training (and/or any other appropriate MHE)
  • Operator licence awareness training (transport placement specific)
  • An Apprenticeship! If your passionate about a specific topic or discipline we offer multiple apprenticeship programmes

What’s in it for you?

  • Starting salary of £28,000, rising to £29,000 after 12 months
  • A guaranteed role after the programme has finished
  • 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (with option to buy additional holiday)
  • Leadership & Management training
  • Access to our XPO University learning platform to support your development
  • A senior mentor working alongside you during your programme
  • Experience in a variety of areas like site operations, warehousing, sales, or HR
  • High street discounts, cycle to work scheme, workplace pension and other perks

What do we need?

  • Degree in any discipline
  • Willingness to travel across the UK throughout the programme
  • Eligibility to work in the UK without the need for sponsorship

What do we need?

  • Degree in any discipline
  • People willing to travel across the UK throughout the programme
  • Eligibility to work in the UK without the need for sponsorship

Applications close on
Thursday 31st October 2024.

Download brochure
Apply now

Hear what our grads love about working at XPO

Logistics
Graduate
Programme
Testimonials

Damien Oliphant

Account Director

Your current role and how you got there
  • Current role - Account Director for Saint-Gobain UK (Dedicated BU)
  • I’ve been in the business for over 23 years and had several roles and opportunities to develop with, from leadership & management courses to gaining my Transport Manager International CPC and I’ve also got a Prince 2 in Project Management
What does your current role look like?
  • I look after SGIS, which is Saint-Gobain Interior solutions UK and it’s our largest UK customer
  • I lead 600 + Full Time Employees across 19 locations with a fleet of 1200 + on the contract which consists of 350+ trucks and 850+ trailers
  • Our revenue forecast for 2024 is £100m +
What’s the best/most exciting part of your job?
  • The diversity across the working week - two days are rarely the same!
  • The people - I have a great team of talented people, who work passionately for XPO and our customer
  • Development - watching someone go on a personal journey and grow through the business gives me a great deal of pride
Top tips for future graduates at XPO
  • A strong work ethic & flexibility - be willing to work hard and see every aspect of each operational placement (days, nights, weekends, whatever is needed to fully understand how the operation works). Logistics isn't 9 - 5!
  • Ability to think fast & solve problems
  • Try to map out your career path by having a PDP (Personal Development Plan) - updating it every 6 months as a minimum. This will help give you structure and focus for learning 'on the job and off the job' as well as ensuring you're developing the key skills to be ready for new opportunities as they arise

Abbey Turner

Continuous Improvement Manager

Your current role and how did you get there?
  • I am a Continuous Improvement Manager within the dedicated Business Unit. After the graduate programme I began my career in Operations as a Transport Shift Manager and then went on to complete my Lean Six Sigma qualification alongside my role, and this kick started my CI/Project journey
What does your current role look like?
  • I am the dedicated CI Manager within the Decorative & Home Improvements sector, overall, the 4 contracts within this sector contribute a total of £90m revenue within our business. I am responsible for documenting and presenting change proposals to our customers, supporting the operational teams that drive the change and tracking our benefit weekly
What’s the best/most exciting part of your job?
  • The people! I get to work with a range of likeminded individuals daily, support a number of colleagues through large customer transitions or site-based project implementations, mingle with our existing customers & new business prospects and get to learn so much about different people/businesses each week
Top tips for future graduates at XPO
  • You don’t have to be good at everything, nobody expects that of you. Build strong relationships with peers/support functions and you’ll always have somewhere/someone to turn for advice & support who are experts in different departments
  • The mentor program is a great way to link with senior leadership that have also completed the graduate program to meet for a coffee and catch up at different sites

Sabrina Higgins

Training and Development Manager

Your current role and how did you get there?
  • I’m currently the Training and Development Manager, supporting the growth and development of our 6000+ colleagues
  • When I finished the graduate programme, I moved into a Transport Shift Manager position for a large DIY retailer. Soon after I took an opportunity with the Central Training Team and my Learning and Development career started
What does your current role look like?
  • I have the privilege of supporting people on their individual journeys, whether that be undertaking an apprenticeship, going on leadership & management training or joining our business on a graduate programme
  • I’m also involved in talent management, identifying talent in the business and creating events and opportunities for them to grow their careers
What’s the best/most exciting part of your job?
  • The people I work with. I’ve been at XPO nearly 12 years, so the relationships I have forged since joining is what makes work so enjoyable
  • Working with colleagues to realise and then reach their personal and professional goals when things click into place, knowing I’ve been lucky enough to be part of that journey, is immensely satisfying
Top tips for future graduates at XPO
  • Take advantage of all the opportunities presented to you, the more you can learn the better
  • Forge good relationships and take time to get to know colleagues, including your mentors

Harry Wallace

Current Graduate

Your current role and what have you done since joining XPO (your roles, customers worked for, any training courses you’ve loved etc)?
  • Unlike your typical grad job, your job won’t be set from day one, instead you’ll rotate around the business and gain understanding of the unique opportunities, challenges and demands of our customers. I’ve had experience fulfilling team leader, shift manager, IT implementation and service delivery management roles which put me in good stead to make thoughtful and evidenced decisions further into my career
What’s the best/most exciting part of being on the programme?
  • Responsibility from day one while being able to gain accredited qualifications such as your warehouse & transport CPC
Top tip for other graduates coming into this business, wanting to be successful
  • You will meet literally hundreds of people on your placements, each colleague having unique experiences and insights – be open and learn from them

Jonathan Kittridge

General Manager

Your current role and how you got there?
  • My role at XPO is General Manager, this is on the Akzo Nobel contract
  • After I finished the graduate programme, I had a number of operational roles, including leading on several high profile customer implementations
Provide some size and scale of your current role (people, fleet, size of customer etc)?
  • My role looks after £25million turnover in a Transport Operation and runs 24/7
  • We’ve recently expanded to Ireland with a £5m turnover in Warehousing and Transport Lanes
  • I lead 140 people with a fleet of 100 vehicles, 100 trailers delivering approx. 700 deliveries per day
What’s the best/most exciting part of your job?
  • Every day is different, one day I’ll be designing new solutions for a change in service, and the next I’m engaging with drivers in a town hall
  • Being able to support AkzoNobel in their future strategy and being an integral part of their supply chain operations
  • Growing the teams around me to develop further
Top tip for graduates to be successful
  • Be a sponge, ask every question (there’s no stupid ones) and listen to every answer. Never assume you know it all
  • 5 Why’s, always look for the root cause or the real reason we do something and not just take it on face value

Frequently
Asked
Questions

How much time will I spend out of the placement?

During your logistics programme you can expect to spend approximately one day a week out of your placement attending training.

Who organises my accommodation?

The training and development manager is responsible for booking and paying for suitable bed and breakfast/hotel accommodation for the first two weeks of the placement. During this time we’ll help you find suitable longer term accommodation.

What happens if I work a Bank Holiday?

If you work a Bank Holiday, you will be owed a day off in lieu.

How often will my performance be monitored?

You’ll have a regular, monthly performance review.

Am I entitled to claim expenses?

Yes, all Graduates will be able to claim business expenses that are incurred as part of the Logistics Programme. This will include any travel costs (fuel, train tickets, taxi fares) in relation to centrally arranged training programmes, placement pre-visits and attending business meetings.

What should I do I have any concerns?

If you have any immediate concerns regarding your wellbeing or the programme, these should be raised to your HR contact and the Training and Development Manager. We recognise for some that this could be the first time moving away from home, so it may take a little while to settle in and feel confident.

Back