Inside Brakes
Life at Brakes centres around our Values and with an inclusive and diverse culture where everyone works together as one team to be the best we can be - there is no doubt that we have the right ingredients to make your career a successful one. So whether you are interested in driving, warehouse operations, logistics and supply chain, finance, food, sales or administration we’ll have the right opportunity for you.
Our values
INTEGRITY
Inclusiveness
Excellence
Teamwork
Responsibility
Committed to doing
the right thing.
Creating an open,
diverse and respectful
environment
In everything
we do
Working as one to help
our customers succeed
To our customers, associates, shareholders and communities
Our values are our DNA and are the thread that runs through our business, enabling us to deliver on our mission – “To be our customers’ most valued and trusted business partner”.
Career Development
Online University
Here at Brakes we are proud to have a whole online university full of training tools and courses - in fact, we have every tool required to take somebody from their first day of induction through to management level and beyond.
Achieve your potential
We are passionate about activating the power of our people by giving them all the knowledge they need to succeed! Whatever stage in your career you join us at, you will be supported to achieve your potential – Feed Your Ambition, Deliver Your Future!
But the learning doesn’t stop there! If you’re looking for development and breadth of experience, we can help you achieve your aspirations.
Learning Framework
With our extensive leadership learning framework and vast expertise, the opportunities really are endless. We are also passionate about creating opportunities for our less experienced colleagues - we have an excellent Warehouse to Wheels apprenticeship programme, committed to growing our own talent pool of drivers – we’ll teach you all you need to know about being a driver with real-life hands-on experience and you’ll not only gain a qualification, but you’ll get your LGV2 license too!
Graduates and Apprenticeships
Feed your ambition and deliver your future with an apprenticeship or as part of our graduate scheme at Brakes – earn while you learn and have fun along the way!
Apprenticeships
We love to grow our own talent and are committed to setting people up for success. We have invested heavily in our apprenticeship offer for both new talent and our existing colleagues. There is something for everyone at Brakes! Our apprenticeships include Supply Chain Practitioner, Warehousing, Business Administration, Infrastructure Technician and of course we also have our LGV driver apprenticeship, where apprentices will learn how to be a great Brakes driver! In addition to this we have a hugely successful ‘Warehouse 2 Wheels’ programme where our warehouse colleagues can train for their LGV license and learn to become a driver.
Benefits of being an apprentice with Brakes Group are endless – not only will you be part of a hugely successful company, but you’ll earn while you learn, receive supported training with a mentor throughout, you’ll be eligible to apply for student discounts, you’ll get Brakes colleague benefits, and we pay well above national minimum apprentice pay. Apply today and feed your ambition, deliver your future!
To view and apply for our current apprenticeships please click here
Graduate Programme
We’re proud of our graduate programme and see it as our way to grow our own future leaders. Our graduates get the opportunity to work within supply chain – seeing all aspects of the operation from depot
level and beyond. Placements include the opportunity to work in Warehouse, Distribution, Engineering and Environment, Stock and Product Supply.
We also have a finance graduate programme, so if numbers, budgets and keeping the business on track is more your thing, this could be the perfect option for you!
Our graduate experience offers structured learning and access to a whole realm of skills and courses including; Leadership Essentials, Business Improvement Techniques (Lean methodology), Finance, People Management and lots more!
“I enrolled on a Management Apprenticeship – what an amazing decision!”
Senior Business Analyst
I started at Brakes 18 years ago, fresh from school, and have had various roles within the Company. I moved into the Business Technology department 10 years ago, and the main reason I enjoy it, is the amount of variety that we have within our roles. I enrolled on the Management Apprenticeship scheme in October 2017, and what an amazing decision that was for me personally, and for my career within the Company! I have learnt so much, which has made me a better manager for my direct reports, as well as being a team member in the department.
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“I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship - it's been one of the best things I have ever done!”
Senior Business Analyst
It's 23 years since I started at Brakes as a Telesales Operator at Bishop's Stortford. So much has happened since I started! I am currently a Senior Business Analyst and my role is very varied - I never know what I will be asked to do next, it's always full of new and exciting opportunities. One of these new opportunities that came my way in autumn 2017 was the chance to complete an Apprenticeship in Management and since joining the course I haven't looked back! Not only am I learning skills that help me in my current role but it has also opened so many doors for me and exposed me to people and situations that I wouldn't otherwise have had the opportunity to see. The support has been amazing too, from colleagues in my own team right up to our senior leaders across the business, I know that if I need help or support I only need to pick up the phone. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone wanting to learn new skills and accelerate your career, it's been one of the best things I have ever done.
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“The graduate scheme is dynamic, as is Brakes, and opportunities are constantly arising!”
Supply Chain Ops Graduate
After only Six months into the Operations and Supply chain graduate scheme, I’ve already gained an insight into the overall warehouse operation and taken part in projects that directly impact our operatives on the shop floor, as well as the service to our customers. I’ve also had the great opportunity to spend time with, network and be mentored by senior managers in the business, something unique to the Brakes graduate scheme. This investment from my superiors was made clear even at the assessment centre. It was a relaxed day that really showcased the values of Brakes (and the incredible food truck), and gave us, as applicants, plenty of chances to demonstrate a range of our skills throughout the whole day, from team work, to communicating and presenting, all before our interview.
The graduate scheme is dynamic, as is Brakes, and opportunities are constantly arising to get involved in different areas of the business as well as exciting new projects. Throughout the rest of my time on the programme, I hope to spend time in Distribution, Supply Chain and Engineering and I look forward to developing my skills and understanding of the business in order to put me in a good position to take on a permanent role.
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"I'm feeling really positive about developing further within the business!"
Supply Chain Ops Graduate
I joined Brakes a graduate, fresh from Uni - the assessment centre was well organised and I was made to feel at ease, encouraged to relax and present the best version of myself to some really key people. I really enjoyed the day and it gave me a fair chance to make an impression in different situations. On the programme, I’ve rotated through structured placements which allowed me to be part of teams in multiple departments and sites with the chance to develop leadership skills, from working with colleagues on the shop floor, to making an impact on projects at head office. I’ve had exposure to very real operational environments where I’ve had a direct impact on the service we provide to our customers. I’ve learnt the value of building a network and creating positive relationships which has really supported me as I’ve navigated through different parts of the business. There has also been regular development activities to allow me to understand more about my strengths and weakness and how to be an effective leader. Over the 2 years, I have enjoyed learning about how our business works, and what challenges our colleagues face in trying to deliver the best for our customers which has set me up in a great position for my current role which focuses on continuous improvement, but I’m still learning and feeling positive about developing further in this business!
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“It’s brilliant that our Apprenticeships are open to both new and existing colleagues”
CUSTOMER CARE MANAGER
I've worked for Brakes since 14th January 2002, where I started as a depot-based Customer Care and Admin operator. I got the opportunity to become involved in H&S, ECF, Comms Champions and our Meals & More charity. I've learnt so much over the years and my confidence has grown so much, I am now a Customer Care Manager with a team of 11. To help in my development and add to my skills, I took on an even bigger challenge in 2017 - I applied to complete an Apprenticeship in Management and I can honestly say I've not looked back! It’s brilliant that our Apprenticeships are open to both new and existing colleagues! I love working for Brakes and I love coming to work to face the challenges of the day, the support and encouragement you get from everyone is fantastic. I love that you can pick up the phone to a senior manager and know you will be helped with your query. The opportunities just keep on coming!
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Brakes Perks
We love to show our appreciation for our Teams and being part of Brakes and Sysco certainly has its rewards.
Along with structured training and real career development, additional benefits include:
Generous annual leave allowance
Work hard play hard! Along with excellent leave allowance you’ll have the option to purchase up to 5 days extra…beach anyone?
Recognition awards, incentive programmes and annual pay review
We know how hard our teams work, that’s why we love to reward achievement and recognise hard work
Staff discount on Brakes products
We don’t just want you to enjoy working with Brakes products – we want you to enjoy eating and using them too! That’s why we offer massive discounts on our staff sales.
My Brakes Staff shop
A range of discounts on everything from holidays to cinema, to restaurants, shops and much more! Go on, treat yourself…
Free parking
No need to worry about finding a parking space that’s affordable and safe, as most of our depots and working locations have free parking
Subsidised cafes
Being the best is hungry work! You’ll find a tasty and affordable selection of food and drinks at our onsite cafés, restaurants and vending machines
Long service awards and life event gifts
We reward you for your loyalty and will give you a special gift to congratulate your life events such as getting married or having a baby
Employee assistance helpline
All Company employees can access a free, confidential Employee Assistance Helpline. The service provides confidential support on legal, personal and professional issues
Apprenticeship Courses
To help you continue to grow and develop, we offer a number of Apprenticeship courses for our colleagues
Talent Spot
Bring your friends! Recommend your friend to work with us and earn up to £1000 *Terms and Conditions apply
A great work environment dedicated to your health and wellbeing
We are proud to have implemented a long term mental health wellbeing programme in conjunction with Time to Change and the Mental Health Foundation. We carry out a number of initiatives throughout the year including ‘Tea and Talk’ and ‘Curry and Chaat’ events, not to mention mental health training for all line managers
A company committed to CSR
Sustainability, responsible sourcing, green fuel, Meals & More charity, plastic reduction 2zero20 campaign and much more!
More
We also offer Pension , Cycle to work scheme, Company sick pay and Life assurance
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Our values are our DNA and are the thread that runs through our business, enabling us to deliver on our mission –