Endless Opportunities with a Growing Global Business
Hello! thanks for stopping by! We’re Super Excited that you’re interested in joining our industry leading Grad Scheme.
Here you’ll find a little more information about Joining our Grad Scheme and the VetPlus Academy (An Evolving Concept here at HQ)
From your research and your Google Search you’ll know we are a Global Business, with a number of interests.
The group was founded in Lytham. Lancashire and is built up three Divisions VetPlus – a global leader in companion animal nutraceuticals, Agri Lloyd, an agriculture focused unit and Mill Farm Sports Village a multi-purpose leisure complex incorporating a fully owned football club with associated facilities.
You’re journey starts when you’re ready as our Grad Scheme runs all year round!
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a company at the head of its game, be involved in various projects, and learn about different areas of our business. If you are graduating in the next year, are projected a 2:1 or higher, are hard working, determined to succeed and want to be at the heart of a thriving business then our Grad Scheme is for you.
*Applicants must have achieved at least a 2:1 in their degree
Stories to share...
Alex Coop
Biomedical graduate Alex Coop joined the group as a graduate trainee area sales manager in January 2017 and, in 2023 following promotion to regional sales manager with responsibility for nine team members, he became the company’s first National Sales Manager for the UK with responsibility for the entire sales team.
He describes the cycle of training with vets, going out into the field and continuous assessment and mentoring as a highlight, offering him the business acumen, commercial knowledge and confidence to accelerate his career much faster than he ever thought possible.
Tangerine is built on relationships ahead of the sales process and Alex finds the partnerships he has been encouraged to nurture with vets and other clients have built a strong foundation for his career success.
He has come full circle, now getting involved in the training of graduates himself and acting as a shining example for what can be achieved with Tangerine.
Based in Leeds, he has spent time in the Singapore office, US and Spain and believes the international opportunities are a huge draw for incoming candidates.
He says: “I’m a largely different person to who I was when I joined the scheme because it’s really brought out my work ethic, taught me how to motivate teams, feel comfortable managing different personalities and given me a large support network for my career.
I have a really positive outlook and know I can build a strong future with Tangerine and VetPlus.”
Matthew Gilbert
Rising star Matthew Gilbert has travelled thousands of miles, moved countries and been awarded a number of promotions in his five years with VetPlus.
The Somerset-born biology graduate, who joined the VetPlus Graduate Scheme in 2018, is now Regional Sales Manager for the South of England.
The 25-year-old gives an insight into his role, discusses learning his skills from the top and shares why innovative VetPlus is such an exciting place to work.
What’s your role at VetPlus?
As Regional Sales Manager for the South of England, I look after a team of nine sales reps.
What does a typical week look like?
There’s not really a typical week as it changes fairly often. A week could involve anything from going out with the Area Sales Managers for a couple of days at a time to training up the new reps. We have a great 44-week training scheme that gives people an extensive education in the business, from learning the sales process all the way through to the commercial side of the business and integrating into a bigger team. It’s great to be a part of delivering that scheme to the people who come into the business.
What’s your career been like so far?
I did a biology degree in Leeds so I had to make a bit of a transition into sales. That was made easier because of the in-depth training provided by our chairman, David Haythornthwaite, himself, which I thought was really impressive and unique, especially for a global company. I had two and a half years in Carlisle before I was offered the chance to go to Dublin as Senior Area Sales Manager. It was the career progression that attracted me. I’m still young and I thought, ‘if I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it’. I then became Regional Sales Manager for Ireland before I was offered the opportunity to move back to England to take up my current role based in Bristol.
Do you have a favourite product in the VetPlus range?
It’s very difficult to get behind something that you don’t believe in so knowing that there’s so much innovation from our research and development team behind the products makes it a lot easier. It’s also really interesting to learn about the products and to teach other people about them too, whether it’s new starters, vets or the wider industry.
We have some really clever products, such as Vetsalve and Vetigel, and to know we’re making sure animals get the best care possible is really exciting.
What’s the best thing about working for the company?
The progression opportunities are something I’ve always loved about the company. I’ve progressed rapidly in my time here because of the opportunities available. There’s also a real flexibility in this role – your diary is your own and you have a real sense of ownership over the area you work in.
What advice would you offer someone thinking about a career with VetPlus/Tangerine?
If you’re a person that’s very self-motivated, the sales role is perfect because you’re trusted to manage your workload, and that freedom is great. Tangerine is also a great place to work if you’re looking to progress, whether that’s in the UK or internationally – we have roles all over the world, and we’re expanding, so there are endless opportunities for progression.
Declan Kelly
Candidates often come from all walks of life, bringing with them new perspectives. Criminal investigation graduate Declan Kelly worked as a personal trainer before joining the business as a trainee Area Sales Manager in March 2020.
Now Regional Sales Manager for the North, based in Wrexham, the 26-year-old shares his journey so far, his recognition within the business and how he is enjoying escaping the four walls of his former gym.
What’s your role at VetPlus?
I’m Regional Sales Manager for the North, which includes northern England, Scotland and Wales, with responsibility for eight Area Sales Managers.
What does a typical week look like?
It varies week to week, but generally one day a week is spent at home doing admin and the other four days are spent on field visits with Area Sales Managers or supporting them with sales meetings.
What’s your career been like so far?
I was looking for a new challenge when I joined VetPlus. I’d studied criminal investigation at university and then worked as a personal trainer but I was getting fed up of being inside the four walls of the gym, so I’d started looking at graduate schemes. I was attracted to VetPlus because of the progression. The person I ended up replacing had been in the role for two years before moving to Argentina so, early on, I knew there was lots of opportunity to develop with VetPlus. It also helped having him still in the business, because he could guide me if I needed it but also I knew that he’d chosen to stay here to grow with the business rather than moving on.
What’s the best thing about working for VetPlus?
It sounds like a cliché, but every day is different and you have to think on your feet a lot. The fact that you’re not stuck in an office every day is a big thing for a lot of people.
You’re able to manage your own diary and drive out every day to see clients to build up relationships. It’s also great to work for such a well-known, reputable company in this industry. You’re on a constant learning curve and we’re fortunate in getting a lot of training and support from other members of the team.
When you become an Area Sales Manager you spend a lot of time in the factory and research and development department, so you get to know all about the products and the innovation. As it’s a family-owned business, we all know David (Haythornthwaite), the Chairman, and Sam (Wright), Sales Director, and it’s great that they get involved with the staff.
What’s your most memorable moment with VetPlus?
I won Sales Person of the Year for 2022 and was promoted to my current role at the same time, which was a proud achievement. We also get ‘Champagne Moments’ for outstanding work, and I’d had one a few months before that for ‘continually smashing the plan’.
What advice would you give someone considering a role with VetPlus?
If you’re interested in developing your skillset and looking for something fast-paced where you’re not micro-managed, then I’d say come to VetPlus. You’re given a lot of trust in looking after your own area, but there’s also support if you need it. The financial benefits are above average too. If you’re prepared to work hard, you’ll do well.