# Early Careers at NEXT | Graduates, Trainees & Placements > Explore Early Careers at NEXT with trainee and placement year programmes in Fashion & Home, Tech, Logistics and Retail. Full page: https://careers.next.co.uk/early-careers ### BE YOU. BE BRAVE. BE NEXT. Turn your ambition into a future career. Explore Early Careers at NEXT. ### Early Careers Page ### Come and grow with NEXT. Explore our Early Careers roles, whether you are a student, graduate or don’t have a degree. Be part of a brand that is forward-thinking and will help you shape your future. From our fashion roles in buying and merchandising to marketing and technology, we’re looking for the next generation to take on our Early Careers roles at NEXT. ### Our Early Careers set you up for success. From placement to permanent, from graduate to manager, our trainees count. The stats don’t lie. ### Early Careers Stories Our Early Careers roles enable you to shape your future career. But don’t just take our word for it. Hear from some of our Trainees past and present about their experiences at NEXT. Lucy The training scheme was amazing. The amount of training that's been offered, from the team but also one-to-one training courses, is just brilliant. Eve I know I can go to someone with an idea and almost always be told to go ahead and try it. I didn't expect that. They've taken us on and let us find our own niche. Duwaharan I think anyone who wants to do a career change, especially after graduating, should just go for it. Someone will hold that door open for you, and you'll flourish. Harrison There's lots of opportunities here. You'll perform for yourself but also the wider business as well. It's really dynamic and it's already given me so many transferable skills. ### Join our Programme Click below to explore trainee roles across our departments. Fashion & Home Whether you're a graduate or not, dive in, be brave and shape fashion and home at NEXT, the heartbeat of the brand. You’ll be a part of a team that is building ranges, developing new trends and growing the UK & Europe’s largest online clothing retailer. ### Role TRENDSETTERS START HERE. ### Merchandiser *Trainee* Where fashion meets numbers! If you’re passionate about product, love data, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this is your chance to make a real impact. As a Trainee Merchandiser, you’ll manage stock, track orders, and collaborate with suppliers worldwide. You’ll use insights to shape NEXT’s product ranges, working closely with our Buying and Design teams. As you grow, you’ll have opportunities to travel and deepen your global connections. With roles across Womenswear, Menswear, Childrenswear, Home, as well as over 1000 brands, you’ll be at the heart of our expanding team. ### Buyer *Trainee* At NEXT, our customers are always evolving, and it’s up to our Buying team to keep them excited. Working closely with Designers, Merchandisers, and Technologists, you’ll help create fresh, profitable collections every season. If you’re passionate about fashion and homeware, and have a sharp business sense, this is the role for you! As a Trainee Buyer, you’ll develop products, spot trends, and collaborate with global suppliers, making an impact from day one. With on-the-job learning and tailored training, you’ll gain the skills needed to thrive and grow into becoming a future Buyer with us. ### Testing title Body copy ### Master Your Craft ### Your Home at NEXT Relocating for a new role shouldn’t be a headache. Our Trainee House is a high-end, Victorian period property designed specifically to help you settle into Leicester. It’s more than just a place to stay—it’s a ready-made community where you can find your feet, explore the city, and make lifelong friends from day one. Welcome to the Product Academy—the launchpad for our Fashion and Home experts. Here, you’ll dive deep into the commercial and creative heart of NEXT. Through structured learning and hands-on experience, we’ll give you the toolkit to design, buy, and merchandise the trends that millions of customers love. Welcome to the Product Academy—the launchpad for our Fashion and Home experts. Here, you’ll dive deep into the commercial and creative heart of NEXT. Through structured learning and hands-on experience, we’ll give you the toolkit to design, buy, and merchandise the trends that millions of customers love. Welcome to the Product Academy—the launchpad for our Fashion and Home experts. Here, you’ll dive deep into the commercial and creative heart of NEXT. Through structured learning and hands-on experience, we’ll give you the toolkit to design, buy, and merchandise the trends that millions of customers love. ### General ### Where will I be based? The majority of our Fashion and Home roles are based at our vibrant Head Office in Leicester. We also offer a select number of roles in our London offices; these are advertised on our careers site as they become available for immediate starts. ### When will my journey start? We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all timeline. For our Leicester-based roles, we have varied start dates throughout the year, so we encourage you to apply as soon as you're ready. If you're successful, we’ll work with you to find a start date that fits. ### Application Process ### When do applications open? There is no "closing window" at NEXT. We recruit for our Early Careers opportunities in Fashion and Home all year round. To ensure you don't miss out, we recommend setting up career alerts so you’re notified the moment a new role goes live. ### What does the recruitment process look like? We want you to succeed! You can find plenty of insider hints and tips from our current trainees on our Early Careers social channels. Here is the standard roadmap: - **Online Application:** Submit your CV and a standout cover letter. - **Initial Screening: **Online assessments and a pre-recorded video interview. - **Virtual Interview: **A one-on-one conversation with a Hiring Manager. - **Assessment Centre:** An immersive, in-person day at our Head Office. ### Built From Within Your progression doesn’t end with the trainee programme, it’s just the beginning. With 80% of our managers having started their careers as Trainees, we don’t just offer jobs; we build leaders. With clear development milestones at every level, your next step is always within reach. ### What does your path look like? ### Explore our open roles Are you ready to take it on? Explore our Fashion & Home Early Careers roles below. ### Benefits ### Tips & Support ### Trainee Buyer / Merchandiser **12 – 18 months** This is where you master the foundations. Spend your first year and a half soaking up knowledge, learning the "Next Way," and showing us your potential. You’ll be right in the action, supporting the team to bring incredible ranges to life. ### Assistant Buyer / Merchandiser **3 – 5 years** Ready for more? Now you’re taking ownership. You’ll manage specific product ranges, support our new trainees, and start making commercial decisions that impact our bottom line. This is your time to grow the scale and reach of your area. ### Buyer / Merchandiser Taking it up a notch. Strategic thinking is key here as you plan multi-million-pound ranges for our customers. You’ll be a leader in the business, managing and developing your own team while spotting the next big global trends. ### Buying Manager / Merchandising Manager Your time to lead. You’ll oversee multiple teams and categories, ensuring every product we deliver is on-trend, high-quality, and arrives at the perfect time. You aren’t just managing ranges—you’re shaping the future of NEXT. A salary of £29,900 Bonus and Sharesave schemes Wellbeing support from day 1: Digital GP, wellness hub, (gympasses) and medical cover Discount on NEXT product and brands Restaurants / Coffee Shop / Juice Bar Product Academy Training Trainee House - Discounted accommodation for 6 months Early Careers Ambassadors / Social events paid for by NEXT Campus Perks - juice bar, coffee shop staff shop! Logistics Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of our global Logistics operation? Our popular Logistics Management Graduate programme is back! As our operation grows and becomes more technologically advanced, we are looking for the next generation of senior management within NEXT Distribution. ### Roles WHERE INNOVATION MEETS EFFICIENCY. ### Graduate Programme *Management* Gain a deep understanding of our Logistics network, from suppliers to transport. You will lead your own team, drive innovation through continuous improvement projects, and explore our full product cycle. We support your evolution through dedicated mentoring and leadership training. ### Apprenticeship Programme *Management* This 3-year program, based at our warehousing complex in South Elmsall (Pontefract), West Yorkshire, offers an exciting immersion into the world of NEXT and our partner brands. You'll gain hands-on experience in various areas of the business, from picking to projects, through rotational placements and masterclasses. ### Know Your Network: A Unique Perspective While most graduate schemes keep you in one lane, our Know Your Network (KYN) experience opens up the entire business. As a Logistics Management Graduate, you’ll step outside the warehouse for a unique "backstage pass" to every corner of NEXT. From the fast-paced environment of our Contact Centres to the strategic hub of Head Office, you’ll see exactly how your role in logistics impacts the wider customer journey.This isn't just a tour! It’s about building a cross-functional network from day one. You might find yourself on the retail floor understanding customer demand, or with the Engineering teams seeing our automation in action. The experience gives you a holistic view of a FTSE 100 giant that few other programmes can offer. It’s the perfect way to turn a logistics role into a total business education. ### Peak Celebrations Our Logistics team moves millions of items, but we always stop to celebrate our wins. Our Christmas parties are the highlight of the year, a chance for the whole network to come together, let loose, and celebrate a successful peak season. ### Progression Our Logistics Management Graduates are making a huge impact across the network from day one. Take the success of our 2024 operational intake: they are already driving change at our high-tech E3 site. By blending hands-on people management with cutting-edge business development and technology projects, we ensure your progression is as fast-paced as our global distribution operation. ### Explore our open roles Are you ready to take it on? Explore our Logistics Early Careers roles below. ### Benefits Salary from £25,500 per annum plus annual bonus scheme £450 Seasonal Uniform allowance Access to NEXT Sharesave scheme 25% discount on NEXT merchandise Up to 70% discount at our staff shops Health & Wellbeing benefits Onsite Doctor Aviva Digital GP, a personal GP service Aviva Digicare App, providing a wide range of health support Tech Think of us as a Software House and not a support function. Whether it’s the technology that powers our stores, our automated warehouses or our leading sites and apps, it’s all looked after by over 1,500 talented tech professionals. ### Roles CODE YOUR FUTURE. ### Developer *Placement* As a Placement Developer, you won’t be making coffee; you’ll be a key player on real projects. You’ll be working on the same systems that millions of people use every day—from our websites and mobile apps to our in-house systems. This is your chance to learn from the best. You'll work alongside a brilliant team of tech professionals, soaking up new skills while we listen to your fresh ideas. We primarily use Microsoft Technologies (C#, .Net, Azure), but we also have opportunities with Mainframe Technologies (Cobol, CICS, JCL, DB2). ### General ### Where will the roles be based? We have tech roles based across both our Head Office in Enerby, Leicestershire and Elmsall, South Yorkshire. Your location will depend on which Tech Domain you're recruited in to. ### What Tech stack do you use? We operate under a C# / .net framework. We also code in Mainframe in many of our domains. ### Application Process ### What do you look for in candidates for Tech Placement opportunities? We recruit for attitude, train for skill. If you have a can-do attitude, loads of energy and a hunger to learn, you'll love it here. Let's take it on! ### What time of year do you recruit for your Tech Placement Scheme? We open for application between October and November. Assessment Centres usually take place in December and you'll. know if you've got the job by Christmas! You'll start your place the following Summer. ### Beyond the Code Life in Tech isn't just about the sprint; it’s about the community. From our annual Christmas Party to local team socials and gaming nights, we make sure there’s always a chance to unplug and connect. ### Work Where You Work Best At NEXT, our Tech teams embrace a hybrid approach that gives you the best of both worlds. We believe that being together in person is vital for your early career growth, it’s where the best "whiteboard moments," pair programming, and spontaneous mentoring happen. You’ll spend key days in our offices, immersing yourself in our culture and collaborating directly with our senior engineering experts. When you aren’t in the office, you’ll have the flexibility to work remotely, allowing you the head-space to dive deep into complex code and focus on your delivery. We provide all the tech and tools you need to stay connected, ensuring that whether you’re at home or at a desk in Leicester, you’re an essential part of the team. It’s a balanced way of working designed to support your development and your lifestyle. ### What does your path look like? ### Explore our open roles Are you ready to take it on? Explore our Tech Early Careers roles below. ### Benefits ### Tips & Support ### Trainee Your journey into our Software House starts here. Working with C#, .Net, and Azure, you’ll be immersed in real-world sprints from day one. You’ll learn the foundations of high-scale engineering while being mentored by the best in the business. ### Senior Now you’re the expert. You’ll take ownership of complex features and play a key role in the architectural decisions that power our global platforms. You’re not just writing code; you’re optimizing performance and mentoring the next generation of talent. ### Lead A strategic powerhouse. You’ll oversee the technical direction of entire projects, ensuring our systems are robust, scalable, and cutting-edge. You are the bridge between big-picture business goals and technical execution, driving innovation across the team. ### Management Lead the evolution. Whether you’re a Technical Lead or an Engineering Manager, you’re now shaping the department. You’ll empower your teams to deliver world-class tech, managing people and processes to keep NEXT at the forefront of retail innovation. Starting Salary of £25,294 Bonus and Sharesave schemes Join our Sharesave scheme - able to save up to £250 a month Pension 3% Employer / 5% Employee 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays Discount on NEXT product and brands Restaurants / Coffee Shop / Juice Bar Free car parking and free staff buses Wellbeing support from day 1: Digital GP, wellness hub, (gympasses) and medical cover Finance At NEXT, Finance is more than just managing figures; it is the engine that fuels our innovation and shapes our future. We are looking for people to join a dynamic team where you will transform pressure into progress, making the strategic financial decisions that drive our global success. ### Finance Trainee *Placement* As a Finance Placement, you won’t just be crunching numbers; you’ll be at the heart of our commercial decision-making. You’ll work on real-world financial analysis and reporting that impacts our global operations; from high street retail to our massive online presence. This is your chance to learn the "NEXT way" of business from the best in the industry. You’ll join a collaborative team of experts who value your fresh perspective as much as your accuracy. Whether you are interested in Commercial Finance, Group Reporting, or Audit, we provide the platform to kickstart your professional journey. ### Benefits Fully funded ACCA or CIMA qualifications Starting Salary of £29,225 Annual Bonus and Sharesave schemes Pension: 3% Employer / 5% Employee 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays Significant discount on NEXT and partner brands On-site Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Juice Bar Free car parking and free staff buses Wellbeing: Digital GP, Wellness Hub, and Medical Cover ### A Balanced Approach to Finance We believe that the best financial insights come from collaboration. Our Finance teams operate on a hybrid model that blends the flexibility of remote work with high-impact days at our Leicester Head Office. For an Early Careers professional, being in the office is where you’ll build those vital relationships with stakeholders and receive face-to-face mentorship from our senior leaders ensuring you feel supported as you navigate your first steps in the industry. When you’re not in the office, your home-office days provide the perfect environment for deep-focus tasks, whether that’s technical reporting or dedicated study time for your ACCA or CIMA qualifications. We provide a seamless tech setup to keep you connected to the team, giving you the autonomy to manage your workload and your studies in a way that works for you. It’s a modern way of working that priorities both your professional output and your personal wellbeing. ### More Than Numbers We believe our best work happens when we’re connected. Whether it's post-exam celebrations, early careers focused events, or our legendary Christmas parties, our Finance team knows how to balance hard work with a great social calendar. ### Explore our open roles Are you ready to take it on? Explore our Finance Early Careers roles below. DRIVE THE BUSINESS. ### Roles ### Duke of Edinburgh at NEXT *We are dedicated to supporting growth for everyone, regardless of background or education.* Following the success of our first group, we are launching our second DofE Gold Award cohort in September 2026. This initiative offers a proven journey of transformation through team-building and development for colleagues aged 18-23. Discover how young professionals across NEXT are building leadership skills and pushing boundaries at our latest Duke of Edinburgh residential. ### Jobs at NEXT *Are you ready to take it on? Explore our Early Careers roles below.*