"I'm in this Graduate Programme to learn from the very best.”

The Graduate Programme at Toyota is not for everyone. It’s for ambitious young professionals who are not afraid of responsibilities and want to excel in their job. Just like Andrea, who’s enrolled in the programme as a buyer. “I was surprised by how many opportunities I got right from the start.”

What's included in the Graduate Programme?

"Actually, I'm already working as a buyer full-time, but next to that, I have some additional trainings that are for graduates. This includes in line training, which is a 1,5-month experience in a Toyota manufacturing location. Soon, I will actually work on assembling cars. So, that’s very interesting. Then I have some classes where they teach graduates how to perform activities, how the Toyota Way works ... Like I said, all this combined with great responsibilities as a buyer.”

Can you give some examples of these responsibilities?

“On an average day, I have several calls with suppliers to tackle existing issues, to negotiate price increases or decreases, or to discuss potential ideas for cost optimalisations and improvements of the car parts. Next to that, I have some strategic tasks like deciding who is going to be the supplier for a certain part in the future. I travel to meet with the suppliers in person, go to their factories and so on. To me, that’s the most interesting part of my job.”

In what way is this programme at Toyota different from other companies, do you think?

“First of all, buying in automotive is a big deal. There’s a lot of value connected to it. And when it comes to this sector, Toyota is best in class, the biggest and most competitive in the world. I really feel like I’m learning from the best. Next to that, I was surprised by how many opportunities graduates get right from the start. This is not like an internship. I can constantly do new things, such as leading meetings with directors and suppliers or inspecting their factories. I like that the learning curve is steep, because that is why I am here in the first place: to become an excellent buyer.”

Move forward with Andrea. Discover our Graduate Programme! 👇