What support is given to you?
One of the best things about the graduate program is the extensive support network you will receive. The graduate program itself is run by the Talent team who is always your point of contact during your graduate journey. The graduate program for each function is supported by a functional sponsor who will provide advice and guidance tailored to the function that you are in. When you do commence the graduate program, you are assigned a buddy who is either a previous or current graduate in your function. Your function will also partner you with an accelerator coach who is a senior leader within the business and will assist you with navigating your career journey at Coles. During my time rotating in different teams, I’ve been paired up with someone in the team who becomes your day-to-day mentor. Additionally, you will receive support from your line manager, the broader team as well as the leadership team. There are always opportunities and events to connect with other team members and leaders within the business.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
What I love the most about my role in People & Culture is the fact that I service the business. I have always enjoyed connecting and learning about people, and through this role, it has been interesting to be able to support business decisions and projects through a ‘people’ lens. I am always putting team members at the forefront in every facet of my work, so it has been extremely rewarding to see the impact that I make at an individual level. When you do see a project or initiative launch, it is a constant reminder that your work and contribution do have a significant impact on the business.
Why Coles?
I chose to apply for Coles because of how many opportunities there are to develop your career. Within People & Culture, there are so many teams that specialise in different areas of HR which you won’t necessarily get in many other organisations. Coles is very supportive in providing opportunities for team members to move laterally so that they can broaden their knowledge and skills in different areas of the business. During my graduate program, I have completed rotations that cross over with the Digital and Supply Chain functions and am now completing a rotation in the Legal and safety team.
What is the coolest experience you’ve had in this function so far?
One of the coolest experiences I’ve had so far would have to be being involved in the launch of the Redbank Automated Distribution Centre in Queensland, one of the largest automated grocery warehouses in Australia. I was heavily involved in creating, designing, and putting together the recruitment process for the site. As part of this, I had the opportunity to fly to Queensland and set up the recruitment process in person. I was able to meet the people who ran the site, tour the facility and see how an automated warehouse operates. It’s always interesting to see how a facility like the Redbank ADC fits in the bigger picture within the Supply Chain and the Supermarket network. To not only see the work you’ve done come to life in person but also see the candidates that you interviewed to commence their role at the site was really special. It’s also really cool to be on a project that receives so much media attention, and even have the Prime Minister visit the site for the launch.
Does Coles support flexible working?
Yes, Coles does support flexible working. Unless there are specific work commitments, you will always have the option to work from home or adjust your working day to meet appointments outside of work. In my personal experience, my day has been extremely flexible as long as I can meet my deadlines. Coles is supportive of a work/life balance, and flexible working is demonstrated by everyone including leaders within the business.
What advice would you give to other grads?
As cliché as it sounds, my main piece of advice for other graduates is to be confident in who you are and try to be your most authentic self. Throughout my time at Coles, I have had opportunities to work with different people who have different personalities, skill sets, perspectives, and opinions. It’s easy to be intimidated and compare yourself to others. However, you will come to realise that there’s a diverse range of personalities that thrive well at Coles. To succeed and do well within and beyond the program, you should own who you are. If you have already been successful in securing a graduate position, the business has already identified that you bring something different to the table. There is no point trying to fit into a different mould or being a copy of someone else.