B&Q

Founded in 1969 by Richard Block and David Quayle, the first B&Q store opened in 1969 in Southampton.

B&Q is the UK’s leading DIY and garden centre retailer, offering over 45,000 inspirational home improvement and garden products for the homemaker, occasional to serious DIY’er, and trade professionals.

B&Q, part of the Kingfisher group is the number one DIY retailer in Europe and the third largest in the world, with more than 60 stores opened internationally, including B&Q Beijing, which is now the largest B&Q store in the world.

The company is the biggest home improvement retailer in the UK, with 14.8% of the repair, maintenance and improvement market share. With over 115 large stores and 209 medium stores, the company is growing through new store openings and store revamps. B&Q employs over 38,000 employees across its stores, distribution centres and support offices.

The company consolidated its position as market leader in 2005 with the purchase of OBI’s stores in China, which have all been converted to the B&Q format. B&Q now has over 50 stores in China, and is one of the largest western retailers in China.

B&Q’s aim is to help people make their homes better by offering they need to improve their homes under one roof.

In 2007/08 25 large store revamps are planned, which is creating a new exciting departments and products. The programme to revamp the larger stores has gathered pace this year, with 11 stores now trading in the new format. This format features more roomsets to showcase key products such as kitchens and bathrooms, more ‘shop-within-shop’ areas dedicated to product ranges such as paint, lighting and flooring, and improved service.

B&Q are also accelerating range changes to include premium paints and more contemporary wallpaper, curtains and blinds as well as the introduction of new consumer and trade credit products.

Significant improvements in customer service have been made throughout all the stores. Service squads ( staff dedicated to customer service, equipped with radio communications) have been introduced in the top 240 stores. A B&Q-branded ‘Handyman’ trial was launched in two London stores, helping customers with small home improvement jobs including fitting lights and hanging doors. This is expected to be extended to a further 25 stores during the first quarter of 2007/08.

B&Q have a strong commitment to the community. In July 2004, they announced a four year partnership with the British Olympic Association, with the aim of supporting all athletes selected to represent Great Britain in the Bejing 2008 Olympic Games.

Working at B&Q means being part of the most successful Home Improvement operator in the country. B&Q provide opportunities to find job satisfaction at every level in the company. Your background isn’t important. What’s essential is that you have the right personality and the desire to make a difference to the company.

Opportunities at Store Support Office

Providing essential support to all the stores nationwide, there are more than 1000 people working behind the scenes at the dynamic Store Support Office in Chandlers Ford, Southampton. Located only an hour away by train from London, and close to Winchester, Salisbury and Chichester.

Relocation assistance is given to eligible colleagues who have to move home to take up their dream position.

Store Management Opportunities

Keeping the stores running smoothly day-to-day is no easy task. Whether you’re a Trading Manager, Stock Manager, Service Manager, General Manager or Human Resources Advisor, you’ll need to lead by example, inspire your team and most of all, deliver results. Keeping the customer at the centre of your day, you’ll find the job satisfaction and rewards are second to none.

Growing With B&Q

B&Q will provide you with all the training you need. Whether you work full or part-time, the company structured training programmes will help you learn and develop, enabling you to be successful in the role you do.

The company take the career progression of their people very seriously. The training and development offered reflects the business's strategic requirement of engaging and developing its people in order to develop a world class people capability. Wherever you work, you’ll enjoy all the training and development you need to succeed both personally and professionally.

A company University provides at the Store Support Office exists to set people up to succeed, to build capability, and to develop potential.

Diversity & Equal Opportunities

B&Q’s success is down to the many employees and customers that work and shop with them.

The company strongly believes that a diverse workforce creates a mix of talents that makes the company such a success. More than 1,200 B&Q staff speak over 60 different languages, with many being multilingual.

From products and working practices to store layouts and training, B&Q continue to promote equality of opportunity in everything they do, so there are no barriers for anybody who wants to be part of the B&Q team.

Rewards & Benefits

B&Q rewards its managers and their teams with an exceptional range of benefits, including:

• Competitive salary and annual merit reviews
• World Class management bonus scheme
• Summer and Christmas bonus, payable twice a year with a guaranteed minimum of 6% per annum
• Store Team Bonus
• Kingfisher Pension Scheme
• BUPA cover (Store and General managers)
• Life assurance
• Kingfisher Sharesave Scheme
• 5 weeks' paid holiday
• Kingfisher Discount Card - 20% discount in B&Q stores
• Range of preferential discounts on selected major products and services, e.g. BUPA, cars, motor insurance, holidays, etc.
• Wide ranging opportunities as B&Q continues to open stores across the UK, Republic of Ireland and internationally
• Strong commitment to training and developing people

Working at the Store Support Office you’ll enjoy the following additional benefits:

• An annual variable bonus linked to overall Company performance of 0-4%
• BUPA medical cover (grade 7 and above)
• Management Bonus Scheme (grade 8 and above)
• Executive Shares (grade 8 and above)
• Company car (dependant on role)
• Life insurance
• Active policy of promotion within B&Q
• Free park and ride facilities
• Subsidised restaurant

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