If you join the Greggs family, there’ll be lots of possible development opportunities for you, whether you join us in the shops or the bakeries.

There are three main development programmes available within Greggs of Scotland in order for Retail staff to progress to Assistant Shop Manager level.

Shop Support Programme

Aimed at - Internal / External individuals who wish to have additional responsibility within a shop but don’t feel ready to or want to take on a management role. This could be seen as the first ‘taster’ of management for people who wish to progress longer term

This programme last approx 4 months and will ensure trainees have the ability to hold the shop for a day in the absence of shop management. All training is completed in the shop by the shop manager.

Many see this a first step into management, Others, who perhaps because of personal circumstances cannot commit to a management role, want this additional responsibility without progressing further.

Shop Supervisor Programme

Aimed at – Ideal for those who wish to progress to management but have no proven management experience or for those who don’t feel ready to take on the 'fast track' option.

This programme is designed to develop staff who have the potential to develop into shop management over a 9-12 month period. This programme is coordinated by the Training & Development Manager for Scotland and comprises of a combination of hands on practical experience as well as monthly classroom session to validate learning.

At the end of this programme trainees should be in a ready to apply for the position of Assistant Shop Manager.

Shop Retail Management Programme

Aimed at – Internal or external people with some proven Supervisory / Management experience.

The Shop Management training programme is a fast track programme developing the knowledge and procedural skill of the trainee. This modular programme last 12 weeks covering areas such as Customer Service standards, Stock Control, Ordering, Food Safety Standards and shop staff training and development. Trainees are supported through the programme by a Shop Training Manager and the Divisional Retail Training Manager.

At the end of the programme trainees move to their own shop - taking up the position of Shop Assistant Manager.

The training doesn’t stop there. Throughout the next year and beyond there are many developmental courses such as ‘Dealing with People’ Food Safety’ and ‘Shop Personnel Procedures’

Once Assistant Managers have built their knowledge and skill they may apply for a shop manager position.

There are also further opportunities for development beyond Shop Manager level.

Training Shop Manager

A Training Shop Manager takes responsibility for training new Assistant Managers – these can be internal or external trainees. They liase closely with the Training Manager to continually monitor the progress of the trainee and act as their mentor to guide and support them through their training.

Centre of Excellence Shop Manager

As well as having the same responsibilities as Training Shop Managers for new trainees, Centre of Excellence Shop Managers take responsibility for ensuring their shops are always operating to the highest standards. They also assist in delivering additional training to new employees within their local area and take on additional responsibilities as required.

On a regular basis the Centre of Excellence Shop Managers are audited to ensure they are continually meeting Company procedures and standards and attend a variety of training courses, e.g. Presentations skills, to build their strengths and skills to support the management trainees.

In addition to the development programmes available to our retail staff, there are also training opportunities available to our bakery staff.

Apprenticeship in Craft Bakery / Production

The Apprenticeship is a 3-year programme, leading to a Modern Apprenticeship in Food Production.

The Apprentices attend college on day release programme and work in the production team. The first 2 years of the programme involves:

• Following a structured training plan – covering all aspects of production
• Attending college on a day release basis
• Taking part in the Apprentice competition with prizes being awarded (apprentices from Greggs throughout the country attend)
• Building a portfolio for assessment

During their final year, Apprentices work in the Bakery developing the skills they have acquired.

At the end of the programme Apprentices are expected to progress into a Bakery Operative position and beyond.

Training for Bakery staff or Team Leaders

All Bakery staff follow an initial induction programme covering all aspects of Bakery production and then go into their own department and go through the necessary specialist training.

In addition, Team leaders follow a Supervisory Skills programme to further develop their management skills.

Graduate Schemes

Greggs Plc offer a Graduate Management Trainee Schemes in Food Technology, Production, Personnel and Retail. For further details call 0800 214383 for West Coast vacancies and 0800 316 4443 for East Coast vacancies.

“The proof is in the pudding!”

If you join the Greggs team, there’ll be lots of opportunities for your career to progress within the company. As an accredited Investors in People, Greggs offer our staff attractive training and development opportunities. Indeed throughout our shops and bakeries there are lots of people who have progressed within the company, for example:

Jim McCausland began his career in Greggs working weekends at our Glasgow bakery. He then was accepted as an Apprentice on our 3-year programme. On completion of this Jim became a full-time Bakery Operative and after 3 years was promoted to a Team Leader position. In 1993 Jim achieved a new position of Bakery Skills Trainer and was responsible for developing and delivering bakery in-house training. Jim was keen to develop within Greggs and went through various internal and external training courses, sponsored by Greggs. Jim is now Product Development Manager for Greggs Glasgow Bakery – dealing mainly with quality control issues.

Liz Scott started with Greggs as a Shop Manager in 1997 in the Tranent shop. In 1999 Liz became a Centre of Excellence Manager helping to train new Shop Management Trainees coming into Greggs business and played a big part in the success of our shop management team. In 2001 Liz became an Area Support Manager and is now assisting her Area Manager in managing 14 shops in the Edinburgh area.

Peter McNeill began his career in Greggs as an Apprentice on our 3-year programme in 1997. On completion of this Peter became a full-time Bakery Operative in 2000 and after 1 year was promoted to a Team Leader position.

Yvonne Dempsey started with Greggs as a Shop Supervisor when she was 16 years old. After 2 years Yvonne was promoted to Assistant Manager of our shop in Motherwell. For over 5 years Yvonne was Relief Assistant Manager working amongst a number of different shops and then became the Shop Manager in the Larkhall shop. In 2001 Yvonne became an Area Support Manager and is now an Area Manager managing 9 shops in Lanarkshire.