Graduate development

If your initial application is successful, you will be invited to complete an online ability test. Candidates who achieve the required level will then be asked to complete a short competency-based telephone interview. The most suitable candidates will be invited to attend one of our assessment centres. Here, you will participate in a range of activities, such as interviews, personality profiling, group exercises and presentations.

Attendance at the event will include an overnight stay, where you will have the opportunity to meet line managers and recent Kimberly-Clark recruits. You will also gain a useful insight into your preferred functional area, discuss the positions available and discover a little more about our culture and values for yourself.

Successful candidates will receive a verbal offer and then confirmation in writing, along with a start date and any documentation you’ll need. Offers are subject to medical screening and satisfactory references.

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Graduate development

Graduate development

We believe that our graduate training programme is one of the best in Europe, both for the quality of the training and the breadth of the experience it offers.

As a graduate within the European region, you will spend your first two years gaining a broad foundation across your chosen function area. In most cases, you will move three times within that business area – always to a new job and often to a new location.

We will provide all the practical experience you’ll need, and support your studies for any relevant professional qualifications.

We offer a series of structured professional training courses on our Professional Development Programme.

For more information about career development in general, see the Career development and advancement section.

What is the application process for the European region?
Candidates in the European region need to complete our online Graduate Application Form.
Every application is reviewed and feedback will be provided at each stage of the process.

When does your graduate scheme start, and can it be deferred?
Our graduate programme starts in September. We do not usually change start dates, but the business has been able to accommodate early/late starters in exceptional circumstances.

What disciplines do you recruit into?
We usually recruit graduates into the following functions:

• Consumer Marketing/Customer Management (sales)
• Finance
• Engineering
• Kimberly-Clark Professional B2B Marketing
• Supply Chain

What happens during the graduate scheme?
Your first two years will be spent on a scheme of planned work placements, providing broad experience across your chosen functional area. You will have a ‘buddy’ to help you through your first year, and after a year, we’ll assign a more experienced mentor to you.

Will I be offered a permanent role after the scheme ends?
You are a permanent employee, making a real contribution to the business from the moment you start the Kimberly-Clark graduate scheme. At the end of the two-year programme (three years for Finance), you will progress into a new role that both you and your manager agree on. This position will be based on your abilities and preferences, as well as the needs of the business.

What is your longer-term vision for graduates?
We are looking for future leaders of the company, and we would expect graduates to move rapidly within the organisation. This is, of course, dependent on your performance.

What will my salary be?
Our starting salary for new graduates is in the region of £25,000. Our salary awards are influenced by individual performance, which is reviewed twice a year during the graduate development programme, and annually from then on.

What other benefits can I expect?
In addition to a competitive salary, you will receive:

• 25 days holiday.
• Private healthcare (optional).
• Pension scheme (optional).
• Share purchase plan.
• Study support.

Will I get the opportunity to work abroad?
Graduates often complete an overseas placement as part of their programme depending upon the availability of suitable assignments. Placements will be in mainland Europe.

Will I be required to relocate or travel as part of my role?
Graduates can expect to be relocated up to three or four times during their first two years with Kimberly-Clark. This will include various sites in the UK and potentially in Europe.
If we ask you to relocate, the company will pay for up to six weeks bed and breakfast accommodation in the UK, while trainees in continental Europe will stay in studio apartments.

Do you support work permit applications?
To be considered for our graduate programme, you will need to be permanently eligible to work in the European Union.