Ultimate Products proudly announces that it has made over 30 promotions in its office and distribution centre (DC) operations in Oldham, Greater Manchester. Promotions have been made across a range of teams including finance, ecommerce, buying, and sales. Those promoted include the company’s new group financial controller, ecommerce director, head of quality assurance and DC Supervisor.
All but six of the office staff promoted started their career at Ultimate Products on the company’s Graduate Development Scheme, which turns 10 this year. The scheme, which is one of the largest in the North West, welcomed its first graduates in 2012 and, by 2018, had given jobs to over 100 university leavers.
Some 166 alumni of the scheme are now employed by Ultimate Products, 50 of whom hold a ‘senior’ or ‘head of department’ position – with two occupying the role of director. Ultimate Products is actively looking for further graduates from this year’s cohort of university leavers to join the business.
The DC promotions, meanwhile, follow the decision by Ultimate Products to end its use of employment agency labour during peak periods, and instead employ all warehouse workforce on a full-time basis. Being employed by Ultimate Products directly entitles warehouse operatives to a range of benefits including guaranteed 40-hour working weeks, paid holiday allowance, company share scheme participation, and private healthcare after five years. The company is currently recruiting for a number of DC positions.
Simon Showman, ceo of Ultimate Products comments: “It always fills me with pride to be able to announce job promotions for our team, who work so hard to make our business the success it is today. These promotions are testament to the talent we have and demonstrate the many opportunities for career progression at Ultimate Products.
“I could never have imagined what a success our Graduate Development Scheme would be when we set it up just 10 years ago. The energy and dynamism our graduates bring has been pivotal to our growth over the years. To then see our graduates go on to occupy, and thrive in, senior positions reflects the quality of learning and development that our scheme offers.”
The company employs a ‘recruit local’ target, which encourages those recruiting to prioritise candidates from OL, M24 and M35 postcodes. As a result, 45.9% of Ultimate Products’ workforce are from the Oldham area, up from 9% in 2016.
Simon continues: “Our warehouse operatives in Heron Mill are the backbone of our business. We would be nothing without their outstanding efforts. I am delighted that all warehouse colleagues will now be direct employees of Ultimate Products, with the wide array of benefits that affords. Our commitment to Oldham is unwavering, and I am immensely proud of our efforts to support local people with job opportunities.”
Top: Ultimate Products promoted members of staff include: Michael Gizauskas, Lisa Couser, Elisha Harrop, Bethany Fielding, Abby Hilton, Sarah Robinson, Ewan Holden, Eva Navarro, Olivia Cuthbert, Gaynor Monks, Victoria Webster, Verity Parkinson and Lewis Naylor.
