Inventory Analyst Review

Overall, I found my placement at Jaguar Land Rover very enjoyable. This year I have worked with some amazing people that have been nothing but helpful and supportive to me and my development. The role has been challenging and I have faced different problems on a day to day basis which has kept my role interesting throughout the year. Some days are a bit slow and mundane but I guess you get this with every job.

I could not feel more valued by my team – this has been a highlight for me. As soon as I joined I felt welcomed and valued. I was not treated as a placement student that would only be around for 12 months. I was given a real role that had real responsibilities.

Over the year I have been given a lot of support and guidance particularly from my immediate team and supporting teams. This was mainly informal (as I sat next to my manager she would give me guidance and support as and when I needed it). I know that other students within the business had more formal support through weekly meetings with their mentor and manager. Overall – I would say the support has been really good.

My days often vary, towards the start of the week I usually am very busy and by Friday it plateaus. At the start of the year I found it very difficult to fill my days. As the months passed I have tried o gt involved with as many ad-hoc projects as possible which increased my workload. I often had to stay late to meet deadlines.

From day one I was given a high level of responsibility. Initially I was tasked with managing stock levels and stock turn within the largest European warehouse as well as the global repatriation of parts. As the year progressed I was given an additional warehouse to manage as well as a variety of ad-hoc projects such as building, implementing and managing a tracking system that would affect circa 100 people.

Over the year I have developed my informal skills more than my formal, such as excel skills, problem solving skills, presenting skills and managing conflict and change skills mainly through just fulfilling my role. Throughout the year I have completed 12 courses that have been invaluable to my role and transferable to my studies. For example my degree in in international business my manager encouraged me to complete as many international courses as possible such as learning about differing cultures etc. I would say that if you are looking to join JLR you should make it very clear that this is your intention and your manager will help you develop a training plan.

On the whole the atmosphere is okay. I have found at times it can be a little childish and political but this is rarely and situation dependant. Everyone around me is really nice and friendly! Everyone makes the effort to say hello and good morning etc in the corridors. It’s not a depressing place to work.

It could have been organised a lot better (and it will be for the next cohort of undergraduates). The general induction was on the first day however my actual departmental induction was a week after my placement started which made it very irrelevant. My team were ready for arrival ( they had a laptop setup for me etc I know that this wasn’t the case for many of the undergraduates). The general set-up could of and should have been a lot better.

Like previously mentioned, over the course of the year I completed lots of different courses to develop my skills. The company never restricted me on going on courses in fact it was very much encouraged to do as many as possible. JLR’s course catalogue is very extensive you can do anything from learning about the cars to Microsoft skills. They also offer the employee learning scheme where they basically sponsor you to learn a new skill outside of the office. I choose to do horse riding and quad biking.

I 100% want to return. I have found my year with the company invaluable. JLR really do look after their staff which makes it’s so nice to work for them. My role has been interesting and fast moving. The graduate scheme is highly respected and the opportunities within JLR are amazing. Also if you succeed on your placement year then you do not have to go through the application process again which takes the pressure off the final year of Uni.

YES. I had an exceptional cohort of undergraduates. We went out to Leamington / Coventry and Birmingham all the time. We also did all sorts of things like rent a cottage in the Cotswolds for the weekend/ festivals. I also went out with my team for a couple of meals! You get what you put in, I put myself out there and organised a few departmental meals.

I lived at home and commuted to Whitley everyday (I had no problems). From what I know about the area Coventry is pretty cheap in and Leamington is very expensive but also a lot nicer. Going out wise Coventry is relatively cheap particularly Kasbah and Leamington is cheap mid-week as its studenty and Birmingham it depends where you go!

The nightlife was really good! There is a good combination of events / clubs and bars in Coventry, Leamington and Birmingham.

JLR do offer a variety of additional activities outside of work like the Jaguar Challenge weekend where you go to Wales for the weekend and you camp and do activities with people from around the business. Sadly how my placement fell it was full booked when I joined. My department has also held a variety of themed nights such as a poker night.