What we do

SME Graduate employment is the specialist graduate recruitment agency for SMEs.
Permanent roles; fixed-term contracts; undergraduate / student and graduate internships; and sandwich placements.
SME Graduate Employment works with small to medium sized businesses across the UK. Covering most industry sectors, and a wide range of job types.

You may not know what a Transport Planner does, but it’s a very important job, and one with great prospects. Picture a housing scheme, or retail park. Now think of the ways that people get in and out of it. For example, there are bus, pedestrian, and cycle lanes (very important for sustainability). The job is related to the planning application process and designs for these routes. You’ll be working on a range of projects and preparing transport assessments for new developments. There is plenty of work with data; interpreting it and producing reports to clarify impacts, and likely transport patterns. Then using special software to design junctions. And you'll be outlining designs of sustainable transport improvements. You will be in regular contact with outside partners, including planning consultants, architects, surveyors, clients, and developers. You’ll get to see the developments you are working on as there will be the occasional site visit (you’ll be going with people to start with). TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT… Some of the above may not mean anything to you, but don’t worry: full training is provided. It’s a small business, so you’ll be learning on the job. You’ll always be learning and adapting, as the policy base changes both at local and national level. If you would like to work towards Chartership then the business will support you. WHAT YOU’LL GET… Starting salary is around 24,000, maybe a bit more if you have some relevant experience. WHAT YOU’LL NEED You’ll need to have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Good Excel skills are also needed, as you’ll be managing and interpreting data. If you've used GIS or AutoCAD that would be a bonus (you can learn it if not). There is some flexibility on degree type, though the preferred ones would be Geography, Maths, or Civil Engineering. Of course anything Transport Planning related would be ideal. WHERE YOU’LL BE DOING IT Nottingham city centre; close to tram, train, and bus routes. Some of the team cycle, and there is space to store your bike, together with shower and changing facilities. WHAT TO DO NEXT Send your cv asap and if you're a good match we can discuss the job and business in more detail.

Graduate Transport Planner

Do you love looking through data, spotting patterns, and identifying trends? The business has some very good administrators, but there is a need for someone to do a bit extra in terms of analysis. Which is where you come in. You’ll be working across three areas of the business (customer service, procurement, and logistics) and will get to know more about them. Graduates have done very well with the business before, and been given responsibility. You’re able to look at data and identify trends and patterns, and make recommendations. The business is a world leading manufacturer of a specialist range of chemicals, and they send a lot of them abroad. So export is a big area for them, and one example of an area you can look at is the costs of transport. You could potentially save the business a lot of money through finding ways to make savings. There will be loads of other things you can look at, and you’ll be helping the Business Services Manager with a range of projects. WHAT DO YOU NEED... A Chemistry degree is ideal, as you will have an idea of the chemicals they make, and you’ll be able to use your analytical mind and logical thinking. Other degrees will be considered though, especially ones that are business or logistics related. You will need to be good with analysing data, looking through it yourself and spotting patterns; this is more of a business role, not IT, so you won't just be relying on using computers to do the analysis. WHERE YOU'LL BE DOING IT... Location is Leek, and commutable from Macclesfield, Stoke, and Ashbourne and you will need to be already based nearby, or easily able to relocate due to connections in the area. WHAT TO DO NEXT… If you fit the profile then please send your cv asap. We will then speak more about the role and business, and how it may match what you are looking for.

Graduate Data Analyst

The business designs and builds machines that are used in the production process by a range of manufacturers. For example, automotive, including Formula 1, and Cybertrucks. There are other industries, too; including medical, aerospace, food and beverage, and construction. The machines make their manufacturing process quicker, and more streamlined. And each one is different, according to the clients needs. Which is where you come in. You’ll be designing these machines. They can be very complex, so you’ll start by designing small fixtures, then building up bit by bit until you are designing the whole machines. Some will be in 3D. The business likes people to be multi-skilled, so in time you’ll get to learn other new things, too. IT’S A GREAT PLACE TO WORK They are a good bunch of people, and you’ll be given plenty of support from the team while you are learning. You will be learning on the job, and will be able to contribute from an early stage. It’s interesting work, and they will build your role around you and where your strengths and interests are. People have different priorities and responsibilities, so there is some flexibility on start times. There are around 50 people working there, and over the last 30 years only a handful have left. This really shows how happy people are there. Graduates have previously done very well there. WHERE YOU’LL BE DOING IT The office is in south-west Birmingham, close to areas including Harborne, Cradley Heath, Halesowen, and Rowley Regis. WHAT DO YOU NEED... You should be a recent graduate, and your degree should have an element of Mechanical Engineering. And you should have CAD design skills. WHAT TO DO NEXT… If you fit the profile then please send your cv asap. We will then speak more about the role and business, and how it may match what you are looking for.

Graduate Engineer designing Automation machines

The business designs and builds machines that are used in the production process by a range of manufacturers. For example, automotive, including Formula 1, and Cybertrucks. There are other industries, too; including medical, aerospace, food and beverage, and construction. Each machine is different, according to the clients needs. They make their manufacturing process quicker, and more streamlined. James was the last graduate to join the business; in his time there he has learned loads of new things, and is now one of the key people in the business. The business has just sent him on an expensive course to learn Siemens plc programming, and is now the only person in the business with this accreditation. He has even designed machines using a 3d package. He can programme and integrate robots, and programme plcs. You’ll be learning all of this. IT’S A GREAT PLACE TO WORK They are a good bunch of people, and you’ll be given plenty of support from the team while you are learning. You will be learning on the job, and will be able to contribute from an early stage. It’s interesting work, and they will build your role around you and where your strengths and interests are. People have different priorities and responsibilities, so there is some flexibility on start times. There are around 50 people working there, and over the last 30 years only a handful have left. This really shows how happy people are there. WHERE YOU’LL BE DOING IT The office is in south-west Birmingham, close to areas including Harborne, Cradley Heath, Halesowen, and Rowley Regis. WHAT DO YOU NEED... You should be a recent graduate, and your degree should have some focus on Robotics, Plc programming, or Automation. WHAT TO DO NEXT… If you fit the profile then please send your cv asap. We will then speak more about the role and business, and how it may match what you are looking for.