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Career Development


Attracting talent is just the start. At TJX, we believe our Associates are one of our most valuable assets and, as such, it is our responsibility to train and mentor them for success. Our senior leaders consider teaching and mentoring an absolute priority to support the career development of our Associates.

Our training happens throughout the organization and in a variety of settings, including in our stores, distribution, processing and fulfillment centers, and corporate offices. Some is formal, through courses offered in our classrooms and online, and some is informal, like in huddles or side by side on the job. No matter the location, the vital parts of any training we undertake are open communication and relationship-building among our Associates. Coupling these with our core values of honesty, integrity, and treating each other with dignity and respect, guides our career development efforts.



Development Programs


At TJX, we have career development programs under our Global Leadership Curriculum that are aimed at developing all Associates’ potential to enjoy fulfilling careers. Whether in our stores, distribution centers, or at one of our corporate offices, we find development opportunities for our Associates to meet or exceed their own expectations. We believe that at every level, from hourly Associates to management and beyond, Associates can progress and grow in their position. Our Global Leadership Curriculum supports Associates across TJX by offering a consistent development experience focused around TJX’s defined leadership competencies. These core and elective courses help Associates gain skills useful for succeeding at our Company and includes courses in communications skills, change management, strategic planning, and more. In 2019, the Global Leadership Curriculum had Associate attendance of nearly 13,000 across all of our divisions.

In addition to our Global Leadership Curriculum courses, we offer other learning and development opportunities. Globally, our Emerging Leaders program is designed to help high potential Associates at the managerial level prepare to expand their leadership roles. The process consists of targeted assessments, review of feedback, and the creation of an individual development plan.

Emerging Leader Action Learning is a three-month learning journey for high potential U.S. and Canadian Associates who have completed the Emerging Leaders program. The experience is a pragmatic, hands-on, project-based learning approach. Participants are placed on cross-functional teams and mentored by executive sponsors as they deliver results on a real-life TJX business initiative. Participants are given an opportunity to hone informal influencing skills by navigating through various business functions. Teams present their findings, ideas, and recommendations to an executive panel at the close of the program.

More senior-level Associates may participate in our Leaders Developing Leaders (LDL) program, a 10-month global development program designed to accelerate leadership readiness. The program offers a variety of opportunities, including gaining exposure to different leaders, TJX businesses, and business units. Participants receive feedback on their leadership style and interactions throughout the process, with the goal of incorporating those learnings into their leadership style. The first phase of the program is project-based where participants are assigned to teams to research and address a current business issue or opportunity. They learn how to navigate the organization through the development of their problem-solving and strategic planning skills, while deepening their understanding of the business and themselves as leaders. The team develops and presents a strategic plan to senior management, working collaboratively with other managers from a broad range of functions and geographies. Many of the project recommendations that have come from these LDL teams have been implemented in some capacity, including, for example, the layout of lighting fixtures for sale in the new Homesense U.S. stores.

In Canada, the Manager in Training Program (MIT) is an accelerated program that provides training for new and existing Associates who show strong potential to perform Store Management roles and responsibilities. The six-month program exposes these Associates more deeply to our business practices and helps them develop their leadership skills and competencies. Since the inception of the MIT program, the volume and success of internal promotions has increased significantly.

In Europe, we offer Associates a suite of training to provide skills and off-price knowledge through workshops, development programs, the Retail Academy, and the Graduate, Placement, and Apprenticeship Programmes. We also offer tools for self-learning and provide bespoke coaching for Regional, Country, District, Store, and Assistant Managers.

In addition, the Leader in Me program is designed to help develop high-potential Associates early in their careers and prepare them for more senior roles in the future. Associates from all functions learn more about themselves as leaders, as well as how to use these leadership skills in their current roles and for future opportunities.

We also have a Senior Leadership Development program in Europe for Vice Presidents and Assistant Vice Presidents, which cultivates leaders who champion and bring our distinctive culture to life. The program develops skills to help leaders thrive in unpredictable circumstances. Participants gain insight into themselves as authentic leaders and examining their emotional intelligence, personal sustainability, and leadership perspective. We believe the program builds stronger, more collaborative teams across the organization and elevates the capability of our senior leaders.

13,000

2019 attendance in Global Leadership Curriculum courses



Calling All Merchants: Training Starts Here


We are particularly proud of our merchant training programs around the world, which we believe are some of the best and most respected in the retail industry. Our programs are designed to support Associates interested in pursuing careers as merchants and develop them as future leaders in our off-price retail business. The merchandising career path provides structured growth potential in Merchandise Planning and Allocation, Merchandise Buying, and potentially management. The path consists of an initial, intensive training curriculum before moving into a role as an allocation analyst. Afterwards, there are ongoing developmental opportunities and mentoring throughout the Associate’s career. In 2019, we hired nearly 500 Associates into the U.S., Canadian, and European buyer and planning and allocation training programs through internships, co-ops, and permanent placement.




500

Associates placed globally in buyer and planning and allocation training programs


Merchandising associates learning at TJX University's coaching program

TJX UNIVERSITY FOR MERCHANTS


At TJX University, we offer merchandising Associates advanced learning opportunities through specialized training, a year-long one-on-one coaching program, and store exercises to both further their development and prepare them for the next step in their careers. The coaching and store exercises often take place in our own stores, as well as in the broader marketplace. The University teaches a consistent approach to the off-price business model, teamwork, and culture that have been a critical part of our success.

For some of the buyers identified as having potential to rise to a leadership level, we offer a specialized learning experience called the Off-Price Leadership Program (OPLP). It brings together merchants from across our global divisions to get exposure to the critical merchant and leadership skills necessary for success. Focus is on understanding the role; integrating strategic, business, and critical relationship skills; and building a diverse, global leadership perspective.

Merchandising associates learning at TJX University's coaching program

TJX UNIVERSITY FOR MERCHANTS


At TJX University, we offer merchandising Associates advanced learning opportunities through specialized training, a year-long one-on-one coaching program, and store exercises to both further their development and prepare them for the next step in their careers. The coaching and store exercises often take place in our own stores, as well as in the broader marketplace. The University teaches a consistent approach to the off-price business model, teamwork, and culture that have been a critical part of our success.

For some of the buyers identified as having potential to rise to a leadership level, we offer a specialized learning experience called the Off-Price Leadership Program (OPLP). It brings together merchants from across our global divisions to get exposure to the critical merchant and leadership skills necessary for success. Focus is on understanding the role; integrating strategic, business, and critical relationship skills; and building a diverse, global leadership perspective.



EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS


In addition to our many internal development opportunities, we also offer a variety of programs for our Associates with several of our partner organizations, such as the NAACP, the National Urban League, the National Hispanic Corporate Council, Disability:IN, and Diversity Best Practices. In addition, we belong to Conexion in Boston and, on a national level, The Partnership. Conexion pairs Latinx Associates with a seasoned mentor at organizations in various industries and provides workshops in leadership. The Partnership offers year-long programs in leadership and cultural navigation for all levels of Associates, as well as the Next Generation Executive Program, a five-month training course. We actively bring together Associate alumni of both of these programs to build a network that can support participants and encourage learning. Over the years, our participation and sponsorship of these types of initiatives has continued to grow, and we actively consider other partnerships available to help develop our Associates.