EAE Business School and Uniqlo: Alliances give rise to opportunities!
20 de November de 2020
20 de November de 2020
EAE Business School continues striving to build an employability ecosystem that enables students from all the School’s programs find professional opportunities. Without a doubt, one of the key figures in this ecosystem is the Japanese clothing company, Uniqlo.
A few days ago, Geri Guyon, the Head of Talent Acquisition and Talent Development at Uniqlo, and Melany Cabrera, a Uniqlo Manager Candidate, led an interesting online conference in which they presented the exciting UMC Program (Uniqlo Manager Candidate Program) to the whole EAE community. Moreover, they also highlighted the benefits of the company’s close relationship with one of Europe’s leading schools.
Are you keen to know more about the UMC Program? Let’s find out!
Not only does EAE Business School search out professional partners that enable students to make progress in their professional career, but it also strives to build alliances that enhance and strengthen the values that contribute towards achieving a fairer, more sustainable world.
Geri Guyon led the presentation and, in her introduction, she spent a few minutes talking about the company. “For Uniqlo, sustainability is extremely important and, although we still have a long way to go to achieve it 100%, we have three key pillars that help us work towards our goal every single day: People, Planet and Community”, she told the participants.
Moreover, Guyon explained that Uniqlo forms part of the Fast Retailing Group and that it currently ranks in third position in the Fast Retailing Global Ranking. “The company operates in several countries, including Japan, China, Italy, Denmark, the USA, Russia, Australia and Spain”.
After giving an overview of the company’s context, the recruiter went on to discuss the Uniqlo Manager Candidate Program. Guyon explained that this intensive experience runs for 12 months and provides an excellent opportunity for talent from EAE Business School to work and learn in a global clothing manufacturer with great projection at an international level.
“On the UMC Program, everything we do is designed to ensure learning and enable the participants to make their way up fast through the positions in the company. To achieve this, the program is divided into 3 main stages”, she explained.
Sales Associate (Month #1 - Month #3)
For the first 3 months, the participants will find out all about the foundations of the company and the work we do here. They will learn how to approach customers and all our basic operations.
Supervisor (Month #4 - Month #6)
Once the participants know how to deal with customers, they start taking on responsibilities related to management. Throughout these months, they will supervise and lead small teams within the store division.
Assistant Store Manager (Month #7 - Month #12)
From the seventh month onwards, participants on the program move onto a higher stage in which the take charge of a large share of the store’s operations. At this point, they take responsibility for maximizing sales, stocktaking and managing the whole team.
Melany Cabrera, who is currently on the program explained that “it is hard in the beginning because, if you have not worked in retail before, it is difficult. However, I had great trainers and that really helped. You get guidance virtually, but also in the store, which is a great help”.
Once participants have completed the first 12 months, they can continue at the company and, depending on their results and willingness, they can steadily make their way up the Uniqlo pyramid:
Guyon then explained that they recruit people from all university programs, but she admitted that graduates from the supply chain area are better prepared. “It can be even seen as an advantage not to have any experience when you join the program”, she emphasized. “It is better to start from scratch and lay the foundations properly”.
Lastly, Guyon gave an overview of the selection process to join the UMC Program:
Finally: Offer.
There are two start dates scheduled for the program for 2021, at the end of February and the second at the end of August.
What about you? Are you ready to apply for Uniqlo’s UMC Program?