About the role
HR Pathway Programme – Permanent (including approx. 36-month Apprenticeship Scheme)
Salary: Up to £28k + Pension + BUPA + ShareSave Scheme + 6.6 weeks holiday + Hybrid Working
Location: Southampton, Head Office
We believe anyone can improve their home to make life better. From our Southampton Store Support Office (SSO), we equip our stores, our people, and our business with everything it takes to help millions of customers create a home they’ll love. Join us in HR and you’ll play a big part in this.
At B&Q, we have a hybrid approach to working to increase flexibility in when and where we work. This is a full-time opportunity, Monday to Friday. For this role, you’ll need to work from our head office three days a week.
Key responsibilities
Our HR Pathway Programme is designed to deliver a dynamic experience and provide significant opportunities for career progression. You’ll benefit from structured on-the-job apprenticeship experience, comprehensive training and support, and will earn an industry-recognised qualification (Level 3 and Level 5, including CIPD Level 5).
The programme spans approximately 36 months and offers a broad range of relevant work experiences, as well as essential training in soft skills and professional behaviours across various HR disciplines.
You’ll gain experience in rotational roles such as:
- Talent Acquisition
- People Operations
- Business Partnering
- Learning & Leadership
- Employment Relations
During this time, you’ll develop strong communication, prioritisation, presentation, and partnering skills, while gaining a deep understanding of B&Q’s business.
After completing the programme, you’ll remain in an HR role and be encouraged to apply for positions at the next grade. The goal of this programme is to build our leadership succession pipeline, so we’re seeking ambitious candidates who can demonstrate strong judgement, drive, and influence.
We’d love you to help us improve the way we work, simplify processes, and contribute to building an environment where everyone feels they belong.
Who is this for?
This programme is for anyone who:
- Takes ownership of their development and is committed to learning on the job
- Is ambitious about building a long-term HR leadership career, aiming for WL2 roles and beyond
Please note: Our assessment day will be on Wednesday 28 January. Please only apply if you can attend in person on this day.
Required skills & experience
- Ambitious about building a career in HR
- Exemplifies B&Q behaviours with sound judgement and influence
- Ready for future leadership opportunities
- Committed to daily growth and development
- Confident, curious, and willing to challenge norms
- Excellent organisation and time management
- Delivers quality work under pressure
- Strong communication skills
- Collaborative team player, builds effective stakeholder relationships
What's in it for me?
As well as a competitive salary, our benefits package includes:
- Award-winning pension scheme
- ShareSave options
- 6.6 weeks holiday
- Payroll giving
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Shopping discounts
- Colleague wellbeing benefits
…and much more.
By the end of your development, you’ll have gained a professional HR qualification as well as key business and behavioural skills, which will be essential for your future success at the next level and beyond.
Equality and Inclusion
We want to ensure that all employees, future employees, and applicants to all Kingfisher companies are treated equally regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, colour, ethnic or national origin, culture, religious belief, philosophical belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
Find out more about us, including the benefits we offer and our community, sustainability, and inclusion projects at bandqcareers.com.
If you require any additional support or adjustments to help you make an application, please contact us at:
- ssorecruitment@b-and-q.co.uk
- recruitment@b-and-q.co.uk
We want to ensure that all employees, future employees and applicants to all Kingfisher companies are treated equally regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, colour, ethnic or national origin, culture, religious belief, philosophical belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.
If you require any additional support or adjustments to help you make an application, please contact us at recruitment@b-and-q.co.uk.
Training &
development
Learn & Develop at B&Q
When you join B&Q, we want you to be all you can be. From the minute you walk through our doors to the exciting moment you make that next career move, we're here to help you make the most of every opportunity. Thanks to our friendly learning system, Leo, we make sure you always have the support you need to take on every challenge and fit your learning around your life. Here, we know that the best way to grow is together.
Flexible learning with Leo
Leo is your every day, on the go learning and development partner. Helping you build the knowledge you need now and in the future. With Leo, you can access training and content, anywhere, anytime and on any device. You can even influence the type of training on offer by rating and recommending content, and letting us know what we can do to improve. Award-winning and featuring over 150 different learning activities - like short videos, articles, workshops and webinars - think of Leo as your 24/7 training pal, designed to help you make the most of your B&Q career journey.
Developing in role
Learning never stops at B&Q. Whether you've been in your role for one day or five years, there's always something to be curious about. It's why we're always creating learning opportunities and experiences that'll give you the chance to develop your skills. Like our First Line Manager programme: a course that helps our newest line managers build their confidence and management skills. Or our Leadership Development programme that challenges our more experienced leaders to reflect on and adapt their approach for our ever-evolving ways of working.
Building expertise and know-how
We believe anyone can learn the technical skills to do their job with excellence. It's all about attitude and behaviour here. So, if you're passionate about customer service and design, we'll teach you how to create beautiful kitchens. If you're someone who loves being outdoors, we'll help you learn about our garden ranges. And, if you're someone who just loves what we do but doesn't know where to start, we'll help you find the perfect role for you to grow into.
Accelerated Development Talent Programmes
Whatever goal you're working to at B&Q, we want to help you get there. We do this by designing a number of programmes which help you to practice your skills and learn new ones, gain valuable experiences, learn from others and jump on opportunities that are right for you. From leaders taking their first steps into management to those simply looking for a new challenge, we're there to make sure you achieve your ambitions.
Induction
At B&Q, we want every new colleague to understand our values, our customers, and how we work together to achieve our purpose. That’s why we’ve designed an induction programme that’ll give you real insight into our business, our culture and help you feel included from day one. For your first few weeks on the job you’ll work with your team and line manager, mixing online learning with practical tasks, to grow your knowledge a little every day.
Explore our
store support office
Facilities
In B&Q house, you’ll enjoy an onsite gym, a subsidised Costa, a canteen and restaurant, prayer room, plus open plan and cosy work spaces, an outdoor picnic area, and bike sheds for those who cycle in.
Sustainability
B&Q House has a biomass boiler, solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system. Our building also makes use of upcycled and recycled furniture and fittings, and features natural ventilation, heat retention and CO2 management, all via our very own weather station on the roof.
Ready to apply?
Step 1:
Apply via bandqcareers.com
Step 2:
We'll contact you for a phone interview
Step 3:
We’ll carry out a face to face or online interview (and we may request a 2nd interview if the role you're applying for is more complex).
Step 4:
We’ll contact you with feedback, and maybe even a job offer.
Check out our FAQs for more information about interviewing at B&Q.