Graduate Business jobs in Manchester

Are you graduating in 2026 (or have recently graduated) and ready to take the first step in your career?

Don’t wait – kick‑start your professional journey by applying to Ultimate Products’ Graduate Development Scheme 2026.

What makes our graduate scheme unique?

We’re proud to be a Great Place to Work® accredited employer, and our graduates are a huge part of what makes that possible. We’re committed to creating an environment where people feel supported, challenged and empowered to develop successful long‑term careers.

At Ultimate Products, our graduate programme is designed to give you a strong grounding in your chosen discipline, supported by structured training, regular reviews, mentoring and tailored development plans. With a dedicated Learning & Development focus and clear progression routes, you’ll be given the tools, exposure and responsibility needed to grow quickly and confidently.

It’s fast‑paced, but you’ll never be left to figure things out alone. With support from your team, mentors and the wider business, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact from early on – while continuing to develop both professionally and personally in a business that’s officially recognised as a Great Place to Work®.

The UP Story

Ultimate Products is a branded consumer goods business designing, developing and supplying innovative homeware products to over 300 major retailers across the UK and Europe.

Our portfolio includes more than 3,000 products across 15 well‑known brands, including household names such as Salter, Russell Hobbs and Beldray. Our products are stocked by leading retailers including Tesco, B&M and Morrisons, and are trusted for their quality, innovation and on‑trend design, backed by over 260 years of combined brand heritage.

Operating across 38 countries and with an annual turnover in excess of £165 million, we continue to grow at pace. With ambitious long‑term growth plans, this is an exciting time to join the business, offering graduates the opportunity to build their careers within a fast‑moving, expanding organisation.

The Opportunity – Buying Graduate Pathway

As part of the Graduate Development Scheme, you’ll join our Buying function, working at the heart of a fast‑paced, international consumer goods business.

Buying at Ultimate Products is responsible for bringing innovative, on‑trend products to market at the right price and quality, across a wide range of product divisions and brands. Our Buying teams work closely with Brand, Design, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance and Sales, as well as our overseas offices and supplier base, to deliver commercially successful ranges for major retailers.

From early on, you’ll gain hands‑on experience supporting the end‑to‑end Buying process and developing a strong commercial understanding of how products move from concept through to customer. Typical exposure may include:

• Supporting Buying teams across different product categories and brand portfolios
• Analysing consumer and market trends to inform product and range decisions
• Working collaboratively with Brand and Design teams on packaging and product requirements
• Liaising with overseas offices and suppliers on samples and product development activity
• Producing accurate customer quotations and supporting commercial decision‑making

This is a challenging, fast‑paced role designed to stretch and develop you, offering excellent long‑term career opportunities for graduates looking to build a future in Buying within a growing consumer goods business.

Buying‑Specific Experience Requirement

Due to the nature of the Buying role and the level of responsibility involved from an early stage, we typically require applicants to have completed at least 12 months’ relevant work experience, such as a placement year or internship in Buying, Merchandising, Product, Supply Chain or a related commercial role.

If you do not yet have this experience, don’t worry we still want to hear from you. We offer opportunities to join the business in other departments, where you can build relevant commercial experience with a tailored development plan designed to support progression into a Buying role within approximately 12 months, subject to performance and business needs.

What We Look For

We’re looking for graduates who are motivated, ambitious and excited about building a career within a growing consumer goods business.

You will ideally have:

• A degree (2:1 or above) in any discipline
• 12 months’ relevant work experience (as outlined above)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail
• Confidence, resilience and a proactive approach
• The ability to build relationships and work collaboratively
• The ability to commute to our Oldham office

Your attitude, drive and willingness to learn are what matter most – we’ll support your development every step of the way.

What’s In It For You?

• We Care About Your Progression
• Comprehensive structured training and a personal development plan
• Regular mentoring and performance reviews
• Ongoing salary reviews as responsibility increases
• Free external training courses from recognised providers
• Save As You Earn share save scheme
• Salary sacrifice pension contribution of up to 10% in addition to standard pension

We Invest in Our People

• Modern £1.6m state‑of‑the‑art office in Oldham
• Private BUPA medical and dental care
• Employee wellbeing sessions and 24/7 support via Employee Assistance Helpline
• Community, Environmental and ESG committees
• One full paid day per year for charity work
• Free minibus to and from the local tram stop
• Prayer room and prayer‑friendly working hours
• 3pm finish every Friday
• Company football and netball teams, plus a book club

We Celebrate in Style

• Annual company‑funded Christmas parties
• £250 contribution towards a wedding cake
• Colleague of the Year awards
• £250 retail credit when you buy your first home

Pay: £26,000.00-£30,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Employee mentoring programme
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Free flu jabs
• Paid volunteer time
• Private dental insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Referral programme
• Shuttle service provided
• Transport links

Work Location: In person