Graduate Future Leader Operations ·

Lawsons Ltd.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive starting salary

25 days annual leave

Management Diploma

Employee wellbeing support

Staff discount

Job summary

Lawsons Group in the UK offers a two-year Graduate Future Leaders Programme starting September 2027. You’ll be based at a key branch, gaining practical experience across operations, sales, stock, and finance, with safety training and a business-based project for the Group Board.

You’ll receive mentorship, accredited training including a Management Diploma, and a structured path to future management opportunities while travelling between branches to build leadership credibility.

Qualifications

• To be able to start in September 2027, with potential paid pre-work.
• A minimum 2:2 honours degree, graduating Summer 2027 or earlier.
• Strong interest in leadership and business.
• Customer-focused and commercial mindset.
• Integrity, drive, ambition and discretion.
• Leadership and entrepreneurial potential.
• Interest in the builders’ merchant and construction sector.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Flexibility to travel between branches and attend training.
• Hands-on, intensive development programme.

Responsibilities

• Gain practical experience across branches covering operations, sales, stock, and finance.
• Complete IOSH safety training and learn safe working practices.
• Work on a business-based project for Lawsons Group Board presentation.
• Receive mentorship and accredited training with a Management Diploma.
• Develop leadership and management skills for future roles.
• Travel between branches to support training and development.

Skills

Leadership potential

Customer-focused

Commercial mindset

Integrity and discretion

Ambition and drive

Resilience

Travel readiness

Education

2:2 honours degree

Job description

Lawsons Graduate Future Leaders Programme – September 2027

Build Your Future Career with Lawsons

Lawsons Group is the UK’s largest independent supplier of Timber, Building, Fencing and Landscape supplies. Founded in 1921, we are a business controlled by a Non-Family Employee Benefit Trust with over 100 years of experience, 35 branches, 750 employees and an annual turnover of £175 million, operating across London and the South East of England.

As we continue to grow and invest in our people, we are looking for ambitious graduates to join the our Family and develop into the future leaders of our business.

Our two-year Graduate Future Leaders Programme is designed to give you a 360-degree understanding of our business through hands-on experience, formal training, mentoring and real responsibility.

The Programme

From day one, you’ll be based at one of our key branches and gain practical experience across the business, including:

Yard & Operations – learn about our products, branch operations, logistics and customer deliveries. You’ll also have the opportunity to obtain your Forklift Truck licence.

Sales & Customer Service – develop your commercial awareness and sales skills through counter sales, telesales, and customer relationship management.

Stock & Logistics – understand stock control, purchasing, deliveries and supply chain processes.

Finance & Commercial Awareness – develop your understanding of profitability, costs, and commercial decision-making.

Health & Safety – complete IOSH safety training and learn how to maintain a safe working environment.

Wider Business Exposure – gain insight into support functions including Finance IT, HR, Marketing, External Sales, Group Transport and Purchasing.

You’ll also complete a business-based project, giving you the opportunity to make a genuine contribution to the business and present your findings and recommendations to the Lawsons Group Board of Directors.

Your Development

Throughout the programme, you’ll receive:

• An experienced mentor and regular development conversations
• Accredited training and professional development
• Management Diploma
• Exposure to senior leaders across the Lawsons Group
• Opportunities to work on projects with real business impact
• A structured pathway towards future management and leadership opportunities

Could You Be a Future Leader?

We’re looking for graduates who are ambitious, curious, resilient and ready to get stuck in.

You’ll need:

• To be able to start in September 2027, though some paid pre-work experience may be available before the programme starts.
• A minimum 2:2 honours degree in any discipline, graduating in Summer 2027 or prior.
• A strong interest in building a career in leadership and business
• A customer-focused and commercial mindset
• Integrity, drive, ambition and discretion
• Leadership and entrepreneurial potential
• An interest in the builders’ merchant and construction sector
• A full UK driving licence
• Flexibility to travel between branches and attend training and development sessions
• The confidence and resilience to embrace a hands-on, intensive development programme

We’re not looking for someone who simply wants a graduate job. We’re looking for someone who wants to become a future leader.

What We Offer

Competitive starting salary, with a salary review ahead of Year 2 – starting salary is £32,000

25 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays and an additional Celebration Day in the month of your birthday

Learning & Development

A structured two-year development programme, accredited training, mentoring and a Management Diploma.

Wellbeing

Inclusive company pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and comprehensive staff wellbeing support.

Employee Benefits

Staff discount, access to Online GP services and our exclusive My Reward recognition platform.

Career Development

Genuine opportunities for progression within the Lawsons Group

Our Application Process

We want to get to know you throughout the recruitment process. The stages are:

1. Telephone Interview – October 2026 An initial conversation to learn more about you, your experience and your interest in the programme.

2. Team Interview – November / December 2026 Meet members of the Lawsons team and explore your suitability for the programme in more detail.

3. Assessment Day – early February 2027, London Our final stage will be an in-person Assessment Day in London, giving you the opportunity to meet more of the team and demonstrate your skills, potential and approach.

Why Lawsons?

100+ years of history. A future full of opportunity.

At Lawsons, you’ll learn our business from the ground up — understanding our customers, products, people, and branches before developing your management and leadership skills.

You’ll be given the opportunity to learn, contribute, take on responsibility, and build a long‑term career within a growing, family‑run business.

Closing date is 31st October 2026!