Operations Degree Apprentice
Job Reference Number: 324962
Location: Swindon
Hours: 36 hours per week
Qualification: Degree in Management and Business (BA, BSc, or BBA)
Start Date: September 2025
Salary: £24,082
Working Hours
As an Operations Degree Apprentice, you will be required to work a variety of shifts to gain full exposure to our 24/7 operation. This will include working early shifts, late shifts, and night shifts, as well as some weekend working.
To help you gain a full understanding of how our operations work, you’ll experience a range of shift patterns, including:
Early shifts (starting from around 6am)
Late shifts (finishing as late as 10pm)
Night shifts (range from the hours of 10pm – 6am)
This will help you develop a well-rounded view of our 24/7 parcel operation, and you’ll always be given plenty of notice for your shift schedules.
About the Apprenticeship
Over three years you will learn all about the different parts of our pipeline and gain skills in:
Logistics & Supply Chain Operations - How Royal Mail’s parcel delivery network works — from collection hubs to depots to final delivery. Tracking and optimising parcel flows, using technology and operational processes. Understanding delivery routes, fleet management, and vehicle scheduling.
Operational Management - Day-to-day management of teams in depots, hubs, and delivery offices. Learning to manage KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) like on-time delivery rates, parcel volumes, and customer service scores. Exposure to shift planning, resource allocation, and contingency planning.
Commercial & Financial Acumen - Understanding the financial side of operations — e.g., cost per delivery, budgeting, and profitability of delivery routes. Analysing performance data to find cost savings and efficiency improvements.
Customer Service & Client Relationships - How Royal Mail deals with B2B (business customers) and B2C (consumers). Handling customer complaints, tracking issues, and providing solutions to improve service levels
Leadership & People Management - Managing teams of drivers, warehouse operatives, and office staff. Developing communication, leadership, and conflict resolution skills. Understanding employment law, health & safety, and HR policies in a logistics environment.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation - Learning how Royal Mail adopts new technology, such as route optimisation software, vehicle telematics, and automated sorting systems.
Sustainability & Environmental Practices - Understanding how Royal Mail is working to reduce its carbon footprint. Learning about alternative fuel vehicles, route efficiency, and sustainable packaging initiatives.
About You
Communication Skills - Ability to communicate clearly and confidently with team members, managers, and customers. Comfortable delivering updates, reports, and presentations. Strong listening skills to understand operational challenges.
Problem-Solving & Analytical Thinking - Ability to assess operational issues and identify practical solutions. Confidence to analyse data, spot trends, and recommend improvements. Logical thinking when dealing with unexpected challenges in a fast-paced environment.
Teamwork & Collaboration - Ability to work effectively within teams across depots, hubs, and customer service departments. Willingness to support colleagues and share ideas. Understanding how different functions (operations, customer service, transport) work together.
Time Management & Organisation - Ability to balance work responsibilities, university study, and personal development. Strong organisational skills to prioritise tasks, especially during peak periods. Capability to manage deadlines for work projects and degree assignments.
Leadership Potential - Eagerness to take on responsibility and lead small teams or projects. Confidence to engage and motivate others. Willingness to develop coaching and feedback skills.
Attention to Detail - Ability to follow operational processes accurately. Ensuring compliance with health & safety and quality standards. Thoroughness when analysing performance data or preparing reports.
Adaptability & Resilience - Willingness to work in a fast-moving environment with changing priorities. Ability to stay calm under pressure, particularly during peak periods. Openness to feedback and continuous improvement
Customer Focus Understanding the importance of delivering excellent service to Royal Mail customers. Willingness to learn about customer expectations and the role of operations in ensuring satisfaction. Proactive approach to resolving issues and ensuring parcels are delivered on time.
Numeracy & Data Analysis - Confidence working with numbers, particularly when tracking KPIs or analysing performance data. Basic understanding of spreadsheets and an interest in learning data tools
IT Literacy - Comfortable using email, online systems, and operational software (training provided). Interest in how technology supports modern logistics operations, from tracking systems to automated sorting.
Customer Focus Understanding the importance of delivering excellent service to Royal Mail customers. Willingness to learn about customer expectations and the role of operations in ensuring satisfaction. Proactive approach to resolving issues and ensuring parcels are delivered on time.
Desirable Attributes
Curiosity about how large-scale logistics networks operate.
Drive to succeed and progress into leadership roles.
Interest in sustainability and how Royal Mail can reduce its environment impact.
