Returning to work can be daunting. But a returner-friendly employer can make the world of difference.
Every month, Back To Work Connect spotlights Irish companies that offer the most support to returnees, so you can find your perfect back-to-work fit.
This month we’re profiling Applegreen
If providing excellent customer service, developing your skills, and working for an Irish success story matter to you, then Applegreen may be the perfect place to restart your career.
Applegreen: Company background
Chances are you’re already familiar with Applegreen. You’ve undoubtedly seen their familiar logo while on a long drive.
From humble beginnings in 1992, Applegreen started with the opening of its first service station in Ballyfermot, West Dublin.
From there, under the stewardship of Chairman Bob Etchingham and CEO Joe Barrett, Applegreen expanded in Ireland, the UK and the US, growing year on year, with currently 600+ stores globally and 16,000 employees.
The company is proud to be the leader and innovator in convenience roadside retailing in the Republic of Ireland, the UK and the US and believes its success stems from collaborating with international partners while ensuring locally-led high-performing teams operate in each region.
Currently, Applegreen partners with over 70 brands, including M&S, Burger King, and Chick-fil-A, to name a few.
Customers and communities are at the heart of everything Applegreen does. The company is committed to providing high-quality products, excellent customer service, and a convenient shopping experience.
Their Drive Change initiative focuses on sustainability initiatives (such as reducing carbon emissions and minimising waste) so they have an environmental mission too.
Why work at Applegreen?
Fitting your work schedule around your busy life may be one of your biggest concerns as you make your return to the world of work. Good news: Applegreen offers flexible working hours and does its best to work around employee’s schedules.
They also offer training and development programmes so you can grow your skills while working for the company. They have nine programmes in total, in fact, from Customer Service and Barista training to obtaining a Bachelor of Business in Retail Management Practice.
One of their core values is valuing and developing their people and they put great emphasis on training their colleagues, so you can be assured you’ll receive the support you need to upskill.
Speaking of support, Applegreen fosters a supportive and inclusive work environment where colleagues feel valued and respected – making for a positive experience for anyone transitioning back into employment.
You’ll have plenty of opportunity to advance your career while working at Applegreen too, with a wide range of career development opportunities on offer.
Whether it’s a role within their stores, a role in the food departments, or even at head office, there is always an opportunity for Applegreen colleagues to progress.
Additionally, Applegreen offers an EAP called ZestLife to support the well-being and mental health of its colleagues.
What to expect
Wondering what a typical working day looks like at Applegreen? Well, it will depend on your role.
If you’re in a shop-related role, you can expect to:
• Achieve daily sales targets
• Support day-to-day operations of the business
• Provide excellent customer service
• Manage stock rotation
• Ensure the shop floor is clean and tidy
• Assist in stock-taking procedures
If you’re in a food-related role, you can expect to:
• Support day-to-day operations of the business
• Ensure the shop floor is clean and tidy
• Ensure all food safety policies are met
• Prepare food
• Follow and enforce Bakewell manual training contents
• Look after stock control and management
• Create the best food experience possible for customers
• Work closely with management to achieve weekly and quarterly targets
What employees love about working at Applegreen
The best way to gauge a potential place of work? Ask the people who already work there. Applegreen employees love the workplace culture.
An Applegreen site manager says, “I have made great friends in the company and get to play golf with them on occasion. We even went to Spain recently and it’s great for networking and building relationships.”
Applegreen employees are also big fans of the learning opportunities on offer.
Another Applegreen site manager says, “I have taken part in two courses in Applegreen, Supervisory Management and the Management Development Programme. They both really helped when taking on new staff with training and development.”
Careers at Applegreen
Great news for anyone re-entering the world of work: Applegreen hires for lots of different roles, so there should be something that piques your interest. They include:
• Shop roles – Sales Assistant, Night Shift Operator
• Food roles – M&S, Burger King, Bakewell, Subway, Chopstix, Costa, Lavazza
• Food Operations Manager
• Site Manager
• Site Director
• Regional Manager
• Head Office roles across all departments – HR, Marketing, Trading, Food, Coffee, Finance etc
Want to boost your odds of getting hired? While specific skills and attributes are required for different roles, there are several qualities Applegreen typically looks for in an employee.
They like employees who are customer-focused, driven and able to take initiative. You should also have excellent communication skills and enjoy working within a team.
Interested in a career at Applegreen?
If you’d like to know more about the roles Applegreen is currently hiring for, check out our returner-friendly jobs board.
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