Our commercial team is based at our busy support office in Nottingham and supports our business by making sure we have the right products in store, at the right time, at the right price.

There's only one way to achieve this: by listening to our customers and identifying trends in their buying behaviour. If we understand what they want now, and what they'll want in the future, we can always exceed their expectations and fulfil our mission: To become the world's best Pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer.

It's important to get a well-rounded view of commercial life at Boots UK. So during the programme you'll take on at least two roles in the areas of Buying, Brand and/or Marketing. That way, you can get the most from your experience without having to specialise.

What does a Brand Manager do?

As an Assistant Brand Manager, you'll work on Boots own brand products and our exclusives range to maximise sales and profit in your category. It's a chance to gain real in-depth and broad knowledge and experience as you work closely with other functions, taking products from their initial concept right through to their introduction onto store shelves.

Developing, sourcing and delivering the products that our customers want takes creativity and intuition. Overseeing and developing the longer-term potential of own brand products, takes plenty of skill and foresight.

Much of this role is about understanding and listening to customers - ensuring that we always exceed their expectations. This is ideal for a positive, ideas person who can manage projects, work well in a team, and inspire others to achieve great things for the company.

What does a Buying Manager do?

As an Assistant Buying Manager, you'll have a deep understanding of your category and work on the product range to maximise sales and profit. You'll develop and manage supplier relationships, negotiating and purchasing to secure great products at great prices.

You'll really understand our customers - what they want now, what they'll want in the future, what we can give them that our competitors can't. It's about listening, analysing data, and identifying trends in their buying behaviour.

This role is suited to people who like building strong working relationships, working collaboratively to reach the best possible outcome for all parties and bringing others along as you work toward achieving your goals.

What does a Marketing Manager do?

As an Assistant Marketing Manager, you'll work on the communications our customers see both in and out of store; such as press and TV, online via boots.com or direct mailings. You'll support the marketing team by ensuring all communication is based on customer insight, reaching our target customers in an exciting and feel good way. You will ensure our Boots principles are applied to all communication streams such as in-store show material, Heath & Beauty magazines and store seasonal events.

You'll truly understand our customers - and their shopping trends, it's about keeping up to date with the current market and using various approaches to reach our customers.

This is ideal for a creative person who can work cross functionally, soemone that can listen to the needs of both customer and the business and deliver the best solution. Someone who has great project management skills and builds stong relationships with both internal and external parties.

How do they work together?

These roles work side by side in one product category. The Buying Manager will take responsibility for the buying and sales/profit of their category, which includes Boots brands and other non-Boots brands. Meanwhile, the Brand Manager will be responsible for the development of own-brand products like Extracts and Botanics and an ongoing contribution to the performance of the category. The Marketing teams will then work with both Buying and Brand to establish the best way to communicate messages/offers/launches to our customers.

Likewise, in 'Cosmetics' the Brand Manager looks after the sales and development of own brand products like No7 and 17. The Buying Manager is responsible for the buying and sales/profit of Rimmel, Max Factor and other bought brands. The Marketing Manager will then decide which products to include in seasonal events, what will feature in the Heath & Beauty magazine or on boots.com. For a big launch a TV communication may be created.

It's this kind of teamwork and collaboration that you'll find time and time again at Boots. It ensures seamless working and, of course, our competitive edge.