AkzoNobel

The Graduate Development Programme. Your development is as important to AkzoNobel as it is to you. We see you as a future senior business manager and can offer you the opportunities to challenge you to achieve that vision. Your individual programme will be unique and defined by your roles and supported by your ambition and motivation. Far from telling what to do, we expect you to take the initiative and drive your career yourself. This programme has been developed to provide graduates with an understanding of AkzoNobel and a network of contacts throughout the company. Each training event aims to enhance your business based knowledge and your management and team working skills. That’s why our 60,000 employees—who are based in more than 80 countries—are committed to excellence and delivering Tomorrow’s Answers Today. As a graduate at AkzoNobel/ICI, we see you as a future senior business manager and can offer you the opportunities under the Graduate Development Programme to challenge you to achieve that vision. However, this doesn't mean simply plugging you into a generic training scheme. Your individual programme will be unique, defined by your roles and supported by your ambition and motivation. Vacancy Description AkzoNobel Paints business manufactures paint and decorative products to help people transform their surroundings at home and at work. Brands include: Dulux, Cuprinol, Glidden, Hammerite, International, Polycell, Sikkens and many more. The Research and Development teams, based in Slough, Berkshire, are responsible for the development of Decorative paint products for the International Paints businesses and for the continuous improvement of existing products. We have a number of opportunities for R&D Graduates in the UK Paints business. Your key accountabilities could include: developing new and improving existing products; working closely with the Marketing teams to understand customer needs in order to develop the right products for the marketplace; liaising closely with external bodies such as raw material suppliers; evaluating competitor products; introducing factory personnel to new products and supervising factory trials. You will be in a real job from day one and you will be expected to make an important contribution to the work of the team. As well as AkzoNobel/ICI technical training in Decorative paint technology, in the first 2-3 years you will attend structured courses under the Graduate Development Programme to develop your business awareness. In addition, you will receive project management and career development training. Within the UK, we have a number of the biggest brands in DIY and are brand leaders in all of the markets we compete in. Our brands include Dulux (the UK’s number one paint brand), Cuprinol, Glidden, Hammerite, International, Polycell, Sikkens and many more. The Sales Team is at the leading edge of our business, and is key to driving our future growth through delighting our customers with tailored solutions. Our Sales Team operates in a dynamic environment dealing with some of the UK’s largest retailers and therefore each day will be exciting and varied. Our customers range from trade distributors for professionals to “big box” chains like Home Depot, Homebase, Bricomarché, B&Q, OBI and Praktiker. Vacancy Description As a Customer Business Development Graduate, you will gain experience across a number of functional areas within our Sales Team, including, account management, category management, sales operations, as well a placement in our consumer marketing team. In our graduate scheme, you will be given real responsibility from day one and the opportunity to make a difference to the Paints business, with involvement in accounts which vary from the top retail names to strategic regional retailers, & local high street retailers. You will be responsible for developing successful long-term customer relationships, with your own key contacts. You will have the scope to challenge the business and deliver creative solutions to exceed our customer’s expectations. To be successful in your role f to work across our commercial team, and develop your network cross functionally with our colleagues in Supply Chain, Finance and Marketing. Our approach to graduates in the Sales Function takes consideration of your aspirations and development areas to create a truly flexible career path. Y

Specific Requirements To be considered for these roles you must have achieved a minimum 2:1 degree or equivalent* in Chemistry (ideally Polymer Chemistry). You must also have achieved a minimum 280 UCAS points or equivalent*. A PhD is desirable but not essential. Relevant work experience would be an advantage. You must speak fluent English. Another European language (French, German or Polish) would be an advantage. We are looking for creative and innovative graduates with energy and drive who are highly motivated. You should be proactive and have excellent organisational and interpersonal skills. You should also be a good team player with the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines. To be considered for these roles you must have the permanent right to live and work in the EU.