Magna Park

So What is Magna Park and What makes Magna Park so different?

Magna Park, Milton Keynes (just off Junction 13 of the M1), is not a traditional warehouse; it's a new, 730,000 sq ft semi-automated site. With 52 decant stations, 44 packing stations, 33 picking stations, 8.4km of conveyors, 250,856 bin storage stations - not to mention two bin-stacking and de-stacking robots - you're going to have to see it to believe it.

As a brand new concept in distribution, it's a first for us and a chance to look at different ways of working using the most futuristic technology. Not only could you be part of Magna Park from the beginning, but since we're planning to open at least ten new stores in the next decade there will be some fantastic opportunities to grow within our supply chain operation.

You'll be working in a modern, bright, and clean environment with excellent facilities, but you can also enjoy a great work/life balance. We believe in flexible working at John Lewis, which is ideal if you have kids to look after or dependants to care for or people with busy lives. In fact, you can work as few as 16 hours a week or as many as 37.5. Click on the questions below to reveal more information.

Who are we looking for?

We want to build a diverse, multi-cultural team of Partners at Magna Park. This means enthusiastic, committed and flexible people who can provide a high level of service to John Lewis department stores. Many of the roles don't need warehouse experience, as we'll give you comprehensive training. So you don't need to know how to drive a forklift truck - and nor will you need to be able to lift heavy boxes all day. Thanks to our automation supplier, products will be brought to your workstations, where you will be picking and repacking them into trays (totes) or boxes.

We'll be operating the site using a Continuous Improvement methodology. As part of the team, you'll be able to have your say in developing and refining our operational processes. If we have any process issues - which we fully expect to since we're a start-up - then we'll look to you and the team to refine the processes for us.

What are the benefits?

Where do we start? There are so many benefits to be enjoyed with John Lewis...

Partner Free Time

Holiday and leisure facilities - we have four locations around the UK exclusively for Partners with one year's service to take a holiday with their families and friends at a subsidised rate.

Clubs and societies - there's so much going on, including football, netball, golf, skiing, sailing, squash, riding and gliding. Our many subsidised societies include drama, photography, music and art.Nov-08 onwards

Ticket subsidies - Partners can get a 50% subsidy on theatre, opera and concert tickets up to a maximum of £60 per year. We also have corporate membership of English Heritage, National Trust the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and the Royal Academy of Arts.

Education subsidies - we give generous financial support to Partners who want to continue their education or learn new skills.

Bursary for the Pursuit of Excellence - support and financial help of up to £5,000 per year is given to Partners who are currently performing, representing or competing at national or international level.

Working for a charity - you can apply for a full or part-time volunteering secondment with a UK registered charity for up to six months as part of the Golden Jubilee Trust (GJT) Scheme.

Partner Health

OHA, physiotherapist and chiropodist - these are available to all Partners.

Life Assurance - we will pay three times your annual salary to your beneficiary.

Partner Rewards

Pension - The John Lewis Partnership is one of the few companies that still offer a non-contributory, final salary pension scheme after five years' continuous service.

Bonus - the visible advantage of being a Partnership is the annual bonus (the annual bonus for 2007 was 18% of starting salary), where we distribute a proportion of profits equally to Partners as a percentage of salary.

Subsidised dining facilities - the site will have subsidised dining facilities with a menu that offers lots of choice.

Store discounts - after three months' service, all Partners are entitled to a 12% discount on most purchases from John Lewis and Waitrose, increasing to 25% on many more products after a year's service.

Special help in time of need - in cases of particular need, we will help Partners with a loan or grant.

Voluntary benefits and discounted deals - we have negotiated a range of benefits for Partners, such as discounted private healthcare and a car purchase scheme, plus a number of one-off deals with hotels, amusement parks and so on.

Paid holiday - all Partners have 22 days' holiday a year, rising after three years. Management Partners, including graduate trainees, start with 25 days' holiday. Holiday increases for all Partners after 10 and 15 years.

Childcare vouchers - Partner Childcare offers Partners a discount on nursery places and the opportunity to make savings on the cost of childcare through salary exchange.

What are the hours?

Magna Park will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 363 days a year. Shift patterns are currently being put together, but we will be offering a variety of full and part-time positions over a range of functions. This means you will be able to work anything from 16 to 37.5 hours a week.

What training and career development do we offer?

There will be plenty of opportunities for you to get on and make the most of your potential through Horizons - a framework that offers an integrated approach to learning. Horizons comprises:

Induction - this will introduce you to your new colleagues, your new workplace and the Partnership.

Technical development - we will provide operational training to help you learn your role. This varies from classroom-based activity to team coaching and 'buddying', supported by comprehensive training materials and an extensive training team.

Leadership and career development - our Leadership Development framework has something for all our Partners, whether they want to be the next MD or just be the best in their role. We have a 'pick and mix' approach to learning to suit your individual style, programme guides and loads of resources including books, DVDs, online learning, activity packs and courses. Annual appraisals, regular coaching and personal development plans will identify your individual needs.

Career development is available whether you work full or part-time. What counts is your desire to get on and ability to pass an assessment centre to move up to the next level.

When will Magna Park open?

Magna Park will open for business early in 2009 - but we've already started recruiting. Our aim is to get experienced people on board now and throughout the year, and give them the opportunity to influence the development of the site.

What opportunities are available and when?

The following timeline shows when we will start recruiting for each position - we will be recruiting for some roles over a period of time. Job descriptions will become available to view closer to the time and you can apply online once the vacancy becomes live via www.jlpjobs.com. In order to search for vacancies at Magna Park, please select the following search criteria:

Area of our business - John Lewis Distribution
Region - Central England
Location - Milton Keynes

Alternatively, please feel free to register your interest by downloading the application form below and returning to the address given. We will bank your application and contact you nearer the time should we wish to invite you to attend an assessment centre.

Click on a role below to download a PDF version of its job description.

Date	Role
Jan-08 onwards	Operational Process Managers (Warehouse Shift Managers)
Jan-08	Control Room Manager
Jun-08 onwards	Trainers
Jun-08 onwards	Learning & Development Coaches
Jun-08	Resource Planning Manager
Jun-08 onwards	Process Section Manager (Warehouse Team Leaders)
Jun-08 onwards	Control Room Section Managers
Jun-08 onwards	Infrastructure Delivery Administrator
July-08 onwards	Head Chef
July-08 onwards	Direct to Customer Process Manager
July-08 onwards	Business Protection Partners
Sept-08 onwards	Product Flow Partners
Sept-08	Catering Section Manager
Aug-08 onwards	Catering Partners
Sept-08 onwards	Stock Section Managers
Nov-08 onwards	Warehouse Partners
Dec-08	Business Protection Section Manager
Jan-09 onwards	Administration Partners (Variety of Roles)
Jan-09 onwards	Stock Partners
Feb-09	Receptionist
Feb-09	Call Centre Partners

If you wish to apply please download the Application Form and return to:

Recruitment Co-ordinator

John Lewis plc
Cavendish Road
Stevenage
Herts
SG1 2EH