What are the entry requirements?
We are ideally looking for graduates with a 2:1 degree, or equivalent. However, we would like to hear from you if you have a 2:2 degree and relevant work experience. We focus on commercially aware graduates who can demonstrate some proven and relevant work experience. Graduates will need to be able to converse in an additional European language to English. DEWALT graduates should ideally have some technical knowledge or understanding. We would also like to hear from you if you graduated several years ago and have experience.
What sorts of entry roles are available?
Five first year entry positions currently exist in European Marketing. Whichever role/division of the business you enter into, you will gain exposure to all aspects of European Marketing and product development. You won’t just be shadowing, you will be doing a “real” job and taking ownership.
Tell me about these areas of the business
Consumer Accessories
The central aim of Black & Decker Accessories is to make it as easy as possible for the consumer to identify and purchase the products they want. So, with a range of over 2,000 lines, category management is at the heart of what we do. In this role you will learn about the development and launch of new products, the creation of in-store merchandising, customer presentations and all the commercial aspects of accessories. It’s an exciting opportunity to be fully involved in the complete circle of marketing from first ideas to product presentation and sales analysis.
Brand and Communications
We’re the team responsible for ensuring that every form of communication that goes out from Black & Decker represents the brand correctly – maintaining the consistency of quality and service that our consumers expect. This covers a broad spectrum including marketing communications, packaging, Point of Sales Material (POS), website, TV ads and press advertising. In this role you’ll learn the importance of branding, and how influential a strong brand is in the consumer’s purchasing decision. So you’ll be involved in briefing agencies on concepts and development of creative executions for packaging and POS and the wider advertising picture. It’s an opportunity to become immediately involved in active major international launches, and every element of the marketing mix.
Consumer Power Tools
Put simply, the function of this particular sector of our marketing activity is concerned with driving sales, profitability and key account promotions across all markets for Consumer Power Tools. Which means that the successful candidate for this post will gain a thorough understanding of all processes related to the commercialisation of products - encompassing promotions, sales, brand, manufacturing, marketing and the supply chain. This role will give you a great degree of autonomy on making a wide array of strategic decisions on tasks and challenges relating to cross-functional teams. The opportunity here is to gain experience of real responsibility in the marketing of a famous market-leading brand.
Automotives
A relatively recent addition to the Black & Decker portfolio of product offerings, the Automotive range has rapidly grown in importance and is now the number one focus for the Consumer Division in 2008, with new products due for introduction throughout this year. In this role you will develop skills in the whole process of product development: industrial design and engineering, manufacturing and supply, and branding and communications. It also involves strategic planning to determine growth tactics, and consumer research to analyse potential purchaser attitudes. With all of this comes a rare opportunity to work with our global teams and travel within Europe, as well as to our base in North America and China.
DEWALT Service
DEWALT is an unrivalled global brand name in the professional power tool industry, with products and services marketed in over 100 countries worldwide. We make massive investments in new product development, and have manufacturing operations in 11 countries along with global distribution channels. The success of DEWALT has been achieved not only by producing quality tools and accessories, but also from the exceptional level of service we offer, both to business partners and end users. The role you will be asked to play is within our service division, helping to project manage and market a particular category of our spare parts range. It’s a brilliant opportunity with the prospect of moving on to another DEWALT division after six to 12 months.
What is the environment like at the European Headquarters?
Black & Decker’s Headquarters for European Marketing is based in Slough, Berkshire in the UK, where European strategies are set and plans formulated which are then implemented in local countries. The Office is friendly and informal and made up of employees from all over Europe. Everyone works extremely hard and is focused on achieving results – however there is an excellent social side and a real team working spirit.
How does the recruitment process work?
There are several stages to the process including an on-line application, a telephone interview and psychometric test, followed by an assessment centre. All of the stages are fair and measured and you will receive clear guidelines before each part of the process begins.
Black & Decker’s Assessment Centre will be on 10th and 11th April.
Roles begin in September 2008
Why should I apply in a nutshell?
Scope, variety, challenge and responsibility. This really sums it up! Black & Decker’s graduates are highly regarded and highly visible throughout the business. Your results really do get you noticed!
Please visit our web site to apply by 3rd March 2008.
