Finance Specialist Graduate Programme

Finance Specialist Graduate Programme

Location: Nationwide

Salary: £30,500 base salary

Additional Payments: £500 joining fee and a £3,000 Finance Annual Skills Premium paid in monthly installments. The premium recognises the strong numerical and analytical capabilities required for the scheme and the commitment to achieving a professional qualification through CIMA.

Duration: 3 years

Start date: September 2027

Who are DHL Supply Chain?

We're the people behind some of the world's biggest brands, keeping products moving, businesses growing and customers happy. As part of DHL Group, the world's leading logistics company, we combine innovation, technology and brilliant people to deliver solutions that make a real impact. Join us and you'll discover opportunities to learn, grow and build a career without limits.

What is the programme?

This structured programme will provide you with the knowledge and skills to become a Finance Specialist. You'll complete the CIMA Professional Qualification alongside the programme, offering a grounding in the basics of management accounting, financial accounting and business. While you'll specialise in Finance, you'll spend time understanding our operations firsthand, working closely with colleagues across warehouse, transport and customer environments to help deliver solutions that support the day-to-day running of the operation.

What will I be doing?

Year 1: Foundations

• Placements across core finance functions, including exposure to operational environments every year

• Exposure to billing, Record-to-Report (RtR), financial controls and governance.

• Build an understanding of DHL Supply Chain operations and how finance supports business performance.

• Develop commercial awareness, analytical skills and stakeholder management capability.

Year 2: Development & Stretch

• Placement within controlling or a wider finance specialism.

• Gain experience in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and performance reporting.

• Turn financial data into meaningful business insights and recommendations.

• Partner with operational and functional stakeholders to support decision-making.

Year 3: Consolidation & Specialism

• Complete an advanced placement aligned to your preferred finance pathway.

• Gain exposure to areas such as financial planning and analysis, commercial finance, procurement finance or specialist finance teams.

• Take greater ownership of key processes, projects and stakeholder relationships.

• Apply financial insight to strategic decision-making and business improvement initiatives.

What skills do I need?

We're not expecting you to have everything figured out from day one. We're looking for people with the potential to grow and develop throughout the programme.

• Numerical Reasoning: You're comfortable working with numbers and enjoy using financial data to understand performance and support decision making.

• Problem Solving: You can think logically, analyse information and identify practical solutions to business challenges.

• Attention to Detail: You take pride in producing accurate, high-quality work and can spot inconsistencies that others might miss.

• Commercial Awareness: You're interested in how businesses operate and can identify financial risks, opportunities and emerging trends.

• Analytical Thinking: You enjoy interpreting data, drawing insights and using evidence to support recommendations.

• Digital Curiosity: You're interested in technology, automation and finding smarter ways to improve processes and ways of working.

• Communication: You're able to explain financial information clearly and build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

What are the entry requirements?

• Achieved, or be on track to achieve, a 2:1 degree in a relevant discipline (listed below)

• Willing and able to relocate within commuting distance of your placement.

• Hold a full UK driving licence or be able to travel independently to multiple sites when required.

• Have a genuine interest in supply chain, logistics and finance operations.

• Candidates must have the unrestricted right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme.

We're particularly interested in graduates from disciplines such as:

• Accounting & Finance

• Finance

• Economics

• Mathematics

• Statistics

• Data Science

• Actuarial Science

• Quantitative Finance

• Financial Mathematics

• Business Analytics

• Operational Research

• Other STEM degrees with a strong numerical or analytical focus

What's in it for me?

• 25 days' holiday, plus bank holidays

• Bonus eligible (April each year)

• Eligible for £500 joining payment to help support relocation and settling into your new location, plus eligibility for a further relocation allowance of up to £500 in your second year, subject to terms and conditions

• Eligible for a pay increase 6 months after joining, through our annual salary review process, paid in April each year

• Eligible for our Holiday Purchase scheme

• Generous pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution and 4% employee contribution

• Free 24/7 confidential GP service

• Hundreds of retail, leisure and lifestyle discounts

• Financial wellbeing support, including savings schemes, affordable loans and free mortgage advice

• Mental health and wellbeing support

• The opportunity to join employee networks: Ability, Ethnic and National origin, Religion, Gender, LGBTQ+, and Generations

• Exposure to senior leaders and a strong network of graduates and early career professionals

• Structured development opportunities, including internal development programmes

What is the application process?

1. Online Application & Assessment - Complete a short application form, upload your CV, and complete a situational judgement assessment (approximately 1 hour).

2. Video Interview - Record your responses to a series of interview questions, with up to three attempts per question.

3. Assessment Centre - Attend an in-person assessment centre to showcase your skills and potential.