We are 1st Executive
Our in-depth industry knowledge and total focus on delivering success to our clients has cemented our status as a leading provider of talent to the Procurement and Supply Chain sector.
Our Culture - What we do
Since our launch in 2003, our highly successful delivery and loyal client base has propelled 1st Executive to the forefront of Procurement and Supply Chain recruitment. Over 14 years, we have established respected, long-term relationships with the procurement functions of some of the worlds largest corporations: Shell, BP, Lloyds Banking Group, Balfour Beatty, John Lewis, Royal Mail, RBS, GSK, British American Tobacco, Barclays, KPMG, Coca Cola and Tesco, to name a few.
Our reach is global - clients approach us across multiple industries, whilst the roles we fill vary from Analyst right up to corporate board level.
Starting in any job after graduating can be intimidating but our induction and training takes this into account, introducing you to the business and all of our employees so you have a firm foundation on which to start your 1st Executive career.
We are often complimented on 'how friendly, inclusive and collaborative the environment is' by our graduates, and our culture is driven by this strength, ensuring that you are quickly integrated into the team not just in work but also socially.
We offer some amazing benefits which promote a healthy working environment, from fresh breakfast and flexible working hours to longer lunch breaks once a week. As a reward for achieving, you can earn an additional 12 days holiday per year, taking the total to 35 plus bank holidays - and you get your birthday off!
Beyond that, it is our continuous mentoring programme designed to ensure you are constantly learning and developing which makes 1st Executive such an inclusive environment.
Our quarterly sales meetings celebrate both team and individual performances, with awards available across all levels of the business. The top performers every quarter get an afternoon off to eat at one of the UK's top restaurants, and of course there is the annual 5*, all-expenses-paid weekend away! Previous trips have been to Dubai, Berlin, Monaco, Prague and more, all with the focus on celebrating and rewarding personal and collaborative success.
We have a proven track record of training and developing graduates into highly successful professional recruitment consultants, who go on to form the cornerstone of our growth. A number of our graduate trainees have become senior members of staff, including Directors, playing key roles in the success, growth and direction of the business.
Most of the training is conducted by the internal leadership team… not only around the recruitment process but also other areas of business.
After joining three years ago, I’m now a Senior Consultant managing a number of the key relationships within the business such as BP, Johnson & Johnson and CBRE.
Our Graduates - Who we are
I created a clear progression plan with my directors, which enabled me to be promoted within nine months to Consultant.
Rebecca's graduate story.
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Studied Graphic Design at University of Creative Arts in Farnham
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Joined January 2016 as a Resourcer
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Exceeded targets set and, as a result, was promoted to Consultant within nine months.
It matches what I wanted to do and how I wanted to approach the market and be different… I don’t want to be the same as everybody else.
Our Future - Where we're going
Gary Noble, Managing Director
1st Executive was started in 2003, but the story goes further back than that, as its founders met and planned their business together at university. Gary Noble and James Tucker identified a gap in the market where procurement and supply chain was becoming high on the strategic agenda in the FTSE 100 arena, and so 1st Executive was born.
We have two core principles which drive our success: total focus on ensuring the successful delivery of all requirements to clients, alongside an in-depth knowledge of the industry and access to the relevant networks that provide the best talent in procurement and supply chain.
Not happy with being the best in our sector, we are beginning a new marketing plan that aims to start conversations and cement our status as a thought-leader within the industry. This will include the creation of press releases, blogs, research papers and more, and our graduate talent will hopefully be a part of this in years to come.
1st Executive works on a three-year growth plan cycle, allowing us to work towards the same common goal across all levels of the business. Our graduate programme allows us to take on top talent that will become the future stars of the company.