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What it means for you

For graduates fresh out of university, kaizen means constant development. Nothing stands still here - and graduates are hugely important to that. We really value the injection of energy and ideas they bring.

If you enjoy taking a practical, problem-solving approach to your work, you could go a long way here. You'll be part of a collaborative culture - a business that's always looking to the next challenge. It's only through our people's determination today that we can continue our progress tomorrow.

There are currently no vacancies available

About the programme

We typically take on graduates in four areas: Business Operations Management (Logistics), HR, Finance and engineering.

Wherever you join us, you'll experience working life on the shop floor where we produce our Auris and Avensis models. It's demanding - but we think it's the only way to understand our unique culture and the world-famous Toyota Production System.

We place great emphasis on learning by doing - usually through structured, on-the-job training. So, over the course of our programme, you'll find yourself tackling live projects and taking on real responsibilities in your chosen field. Our graduate programme lasts just over 2 years, it is assessed and designed to help you reach the standard needed to move into a specialist position at the end of the programme.

You'll be well supported - by your managers and a personal mentor. That said, we'll expect you to take charge of your own development. Curiosity and new concepts drive our business forward - so we encourage our graduates to broaden their own horizons.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

We're looking for individuals who will share our values and believe that there's always a better way.  So, if you thrive on analysing problems from different angles to develop solutions and take a practical approach to your work, you could go a long way with us.  You will also have a consistently strong academic record, with a minimum 2:1 predicted/ recently achieved at degree level.  Additionally, for Engineering and Finance positions you will need to be studying a relevant degree. For HR and Business Operations Management, most disciplines are acceptable but business related degrees are preferred.

Introduction

You'll begin on a week long induction learning the fundamentals of the business and how we operate.  This will include information on our policies and procedures, a tour of the Burnaston factory and detail on what your programme with entail.

Development

Your development programme will last for just over 2 years and commence with an introduction to Toyota which will involve a 5 day induction held at the Burnaston Plant.

These courses range from Toyota specific skills such as Problem Solving, Plan-Do-Check-Action and Report writing to developing skills in Presentation and Communication, Personal Planning and Team Working.

Some of these courses will require you to complete a work based assignment, focussing on a chosen topic relating to your role and embedding the theories learnt on the course.  These will be presented to a member of the L&D team and your placement Supervisors

Line Training

You will also participate in six weeks line training in one of the Burnaston Production areas. We won't pretend otherwise, during this time on-line you will be doing a repetitive and physical job as well as following a rotating shift pattern, but the skills and experience you develop will prove invaluable to you throughout your programme and thereafter

Secondment

You will have opportunities for a secondment to an area beyond your chosen specialisation, which will broaden your understanding of the business further.  These positions could be within TMUK or even at one of our European plants

Assessment

The Graduate Development Programme is assessed and requires a certain standard to be attained prior to progression to a Specialist or Engineer position which is achieved at the end of the programme.  You'll have regular reviews with your Supervisor as well as formal reviews with L&D. You'll be well supported - by your managers and a personal mentor. That said, we'll expect you to take charge of your own development. Curiosity and new concepts drive our business forward - so we encourage our graduates to broaden their own horizons

Introduction

You'll begin on a week long induction learning the fundamentals of the business and how we operate.  This will include information on our policies and procedures, a tour of the Burnaston factory and detail on what your programme with entail.

Development

Your development programme will last for just over 2 years and commence with an introduction to Toyota which will involve a 5 day induction held at the Burnaston Plant.

These courses range from Toyota specific skills such as Problem Solving, Plan-Do-Check-Action and Report writing to developing skills in Presentation and Communication, Personal Planning and Team Working.

Some of these courses will require you to complete a work based assignment, focussing on a chosen topic relating to your role and embedding the theories learnt on the course.  These will be presented to a member of the L&D team and your placement Supervisors

Line Training

You will also participate in six weeks line training in one of the Burnaston Production areas. We won't pretend otherwise, during this time on-line you will be doing a repetitive and physical job as well as following a rotating shift pattern, but the skills and experience you develop will prove invaluable to you throughout your programme and thereafter

Secondment

You will have opportunities for a secondment to an area beyond your chosen specialisation, which will broaden your understanding of the business further.  These positions could be within TMUK or even at one of our European plants

Assessment

The Graduate Development Programme is assessed and requires a certain standard to be attained prior to progression to a Specialist or Engineer position which is achieved at the end of the programme.  You'll have regular reviews with your Supervisor as well as formal reviews with L&D. You'll be well supported - by your managers and a personal mentor. That said, we'll expect you to take charge of your own development. Curiosity and new concepts drive our business forward - so we encourage our graduates to broaden their own horizons

Areas you may work

Engineering

Engineering at Toyota isn’t about nuts and bolts. It’s much more about having imagination plus the dedication to keep developing the best processes and products.

We encourage our engineers to look at things from every angle to find better ways of working. That’s always been the Toyota Way – as our founder Sakichi Toyoda put it: “Inspiration comes from many places.  We need to have our eyes, our minds and our hearts open to things we interact with every day, so open your window to the world.”  You can see that commitment reflected in cars like the Auris Hybrid. It’s what makes Toyota an outstanding place to work for inquisitive and ambitious engineers

Business Operations Management (Logistics)

Everything starts and stops with Logistics.  Join us here and you’ll be at the centre of our manufacturing operation bringing the world-famous Toyota Production System (TPS) to life.

This is your chance to learn about concepts like jidoka and just-in-time first-hand from the company that pioneered them.  TPS is a lean manufacturing system designed to eliminate waste, reduce costs and keep lead times down. It was developed between 1948 and 1975 out of two concepts. The first is called jidoka (which loosely translates as “automation with a human touch”) – this means that when a problem occurs, production stops immediately, preventing defective products. The second concept is just-in-time, in which each process produces only what is needed by the next, and so on, in a continuous flow. Where Toyota has led the way, other manufacturers have followed. You’ll find that many universities teach TPS today as a proven operations management system

Human Resources

Our approach to people management is different.

One of Toyota's Guiding Principles is to foster a respectful, reflective culture where individual creativity and teamwork can flourish. That makes HR a visible, valuable part of our operation. To keep our products progressing and our processes evolving, it’s essential to develop our people. Our HR specialists are influential experts, and most employment issues are their business. To succeed in HR, you’ll need to be a team player yourself – as comfortable and confident on the shop floor as you are with your senior managers.

Finance

Finance isn’t a back office function at Toyota.

You’ll soon see that a key part of your role is to go and see things for yourself and adopt a dynamic and practical learning method. You’ll spend time on the shop floor and understanding the way we work from a manufacturing perspective. A key part of our role is to develop breakthrough initiatives to manage costs per vehicle by working closely with other departments. Whether you are in cost management, general ledger, accounts payable and received, purchasing, or investment, you'll tackle real commercial projects and discover how finance can add real value to the production process.

More information

Salary and Benefits

Your Development at Toyota Manufacturing UK

During your development programme, your salary will increase at set intervals. Once you become an Engineer or Specialist, your salary will be reviewed annually, with appropriate increases determined in line with your performance and contribution to the business.

Your contribution will also be recognised by an excellent package of benefits.

Current starting salary: £28,350 gross per annum plus overtime. Upon successful completion of the graduate programme, this will increase to just over £34,000 gross per annum.

  • Paid overtime
  • 25 days paid annual holiday
  • Bank holidays
  • Relocation assistance
  • Free workwear
  • Subsidised restaurants
  • Pension
  • Life assurance
  • Private healthcare
  • Attractive car schemes
  • Company sickness benefit
  • Workplace nursery

Graduate numbers are based on business requirements and do vary from year to year. Typically Toyota Manufacturing UK select 10-15 Placement Students per year across both Engineering and Non-Engineering Divisions.

Typically the first week of September every year.

Degree qualified business/engineering related, interest in working within the vehicle manufacturing sector, mature approach, confident, flexible, enthusiastic, team players. Prepared to use their own initiative and implement changes.

Either Burnaston, Derbyshire or Deeside, North Wales.

Unfortunately, we can only accept applications for our graduate development programme from candidates who are legally entitled to work in the UK. We will ask to see proof of your eligibility to work in the UK when you visit our site at the assessment centre/interview stage of the recruitment process. Typically, this is in the form of a UK or European Economic passport or similar supporting documentation as detailed on our application form.

UCAS points will be taken into consideration and a strong academic record is required.

The current starting salary is £28,350 gross per annum plus overtime. This increases in increments during the 18 month programme. At the end of the programme, you will become a Specialist or Engineer and subject to performance your salary will increase to just over £33,000 gross per annum.

No, whilst we appreciate additional effort undertaken to achieve a post graduate qualification, our selection decision is based on the results of the recruitment process, which is tailored to meet our specific requirements. (achievement of 2:1 for a Degree is required).

From an early stage you will be doing a real job with real responsibility. The scheme involves a high degree of on the job training which is supported by off the job events and courses.

If you are successful at the on-line aptitude testing stage, you will be invited to attend an on-site assessment centre at the Burnaston Plant.

There is the potential for travel to Japan or anywhere within our European operations. Opportunities are based on business requirements, for the Graduate Development Programme it is likely that you will be based primarily within the UK.

Relocation support is available under certain circumstances. Your individual entitlement to this allowance would be confirmed during the recruitment process, based on a standard criteria.

Yes, Toyota Manufacturing UK provides financial support for further education, for example CIPS, ImechE, CIPD. To be eligible you must work with Toyota Manufacturing UK for a minimum of 12 months, as we believe in the first 12 months that you will already be on a steep learning curve. Toyota Manufacturing UK will pay for your course costs upon satisfactory completion. Prior agreement with your Manager to undertake the course is required. All studies must be completed within your own time.

Core training courses include:- Plan-Do-Check-Action, Problem Solving, Report Writing, Communication & Presentation Skills, Introduction to Kaizen, Health & Safety and Personal Planning.

Yes during your on-line training and secondment activity, also in general the nature of work at Toyota Manufacturing UK is often teamwork. You will therefore have the opportunity to work with multi-disciplinary teams with members from other departments.

You will have quarterly reviews with your Section Manager and a representative from the Learning and Development Department.

Yes, you will be allocated a Supervisor and Mentor from day one who will support you as you progress through the Graduate Development Programme.

The closing date for Graduate Applications will be 31st December 2017.

You will attend a 5 day Company Induction with all the new Graduates and Industrial Trainees and then join your department for a more detailed welcome.

At the end of the Graduate Development Programme (subject to satisfactory progression through the assessed scheme), you will become a Specialist or Engineer. Thereafter progression is based on individual performance where you will be compared to other graduates who have joined Toyota Manufacturing UK as well as direct entry Specialists/Engineers.

There are mid scheme increments and these will graduate to a salary of £33,340 gross per annum at the end of the 18 month programme.

Our people

Jo Hems. Specialist, HR Division

Peter Curtis, Engineer, Assembly Division

Tony Walker, Deputy Managing Director

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