Stay tuned for updates on when we will recruit for the next cohort of the LEAP Program! Visit our main jobs page, https://jobs.unifirst.com/, to view our current open positions.
LEAP Program Structure
An 18-month rotational Leadership Development Program designed to groom high-potentials into future managers at UniFirst. As a cohort, Associates will be exposed to a blend of leadership education, operational knowledge, and hands-on business experience within the industrial laundry and facility services industry!
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Virtual and In-person Classes
Continuous learning is at the core of the LEAP Program.
Associates rotate through cycles of classroom and online training at various UniFirst training locations.
In-person classes are facilitated by the Program Manager, Executive Leadership, and field experts.
Online learning may consist of interactive self-studies, readings, blogs, Ted Talks, and virtual classes via Skype or video conference.
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Operational Area Experience
Hands-on experience is the best way to learn!
Perform the key responsibilities of the Team Partners who would work for you to better understand their challenges when you become a manager.
You will also learn and execute the managerial tasks in each of the operational areas.
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Learn and practice Leadership
Theory and Practice helps you discover leadership techniques to apply to real world situations.
Use critical thinking skills, good business management practices, and techniques to engage, empower, and develop your team.
Capitalize on the industry experience of our current leaders who facilitate leadership sessions and make themselves available for informal discussions.
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Personal Development
Personal development is as important as professional growth.
Developing interpersonal skills, enhancing both written and presentation capabilities, understanding and refining your Emotional Intelligence, engaging and motivating others, and using critical thinking tools are all interwoven into the learning environment of LEAP.
Featured LEAP Associates
Learn from current and past LEAP Associates why this program is a Big Deal.
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“The culture has stood out the most to me throughout my time at UniFirst. Everyone loves to work here, and it shows in tenure of the company. Team Partners work for 20+ years and even bringing multiple family members on board brings a true family culture into UniFirst.”
Mo Sowe
LEAP Associate
Raleigh-Durham, NC -
“This program as a whole is a BIG DEAL! UniFirst has recognized the importance of recruiting talented leaders from all over the country and teaching them the skills of the business leading to tremendous career advancement opportunities. It is encouraging to see the growth of previous cohorts and the many career paths that were available for them. I am excited to see the opportunities I earn through this prestigious program.”
Breonna Bejaran
LEAP Associate
Stockton, CA -
“I researched other management trainee positions during the recruiting process with UniFirst and let me be the first to tell you that is not what the LEAP Program is about. With LEAP, I am being taught every facet of the business. From being shown the Distribution Center in Kentucky to learning from the Executives in Massachusetts. The LEAP Program is a Big Deal for UniFirst and you’re a Big Deal for being a part of it.”
Cody Moore
Market Service Manager
LEAP Graduate
Ontario, CA -
“The biggest deal of the program is the endless support, personal development, and hands on training experience along with exposure from everything that goes on at the plant. UniFirst truly cares about us succeeding. We are being set up for success in every avenue possible.”
Nicole Paler
LEAP Associate
Tampa, FL -
“I would say the BIGGEST DEAL of the program would be the importance that is placed on the LEAP Program by all levels at UniFirst. This program focuses on creating leaders with multiple forms of education and excels in doing so by providing development tools such as hands on experience, mentorship, and individual professional education programs.”
Frank Limon
LEAP Associate
San Antonio, TX -
“One piece of advice I would give [to future LEAP Associates] is "learning is not a destination but rather learning is a journey." You will always have so many opportunities to learn and grow because UniFirst never stops caring about their employees.”
Afrah Seraz
LEAP Associate
Pontiac, MI -
“UniFirst makes me feel like I am a part of a revolutionary program that would change the direction of how they train their future managers. In this program, we have been given the dynamic opportunity to be cross-trained in all segments creating a holistic view of the company, which is a Big Deal in fast tracking your development process.”
Thomas Baskins
Serialization Supervisor
LEAP Graduate
Charlotte, NC -
“Being able to interview with many senior executives, including the company’s CEO, made me feel like a BIG DEAL during the recruiting process. Also, I had the opportunity to visit the plant with a General Manager, where I observed how each department works together, and everyone shares a unique family culture.”
Al Naimul Naem
LEAP Associate
Raleigh-Durham, NC -
“The biggest deal of the program is that you get to go through [every operational area] of the company. It truly gives you an appreciation for the work that everyone puts in and it gives you time to find out what your niche is. There are not many large companies that give you an opportunity to learn every facet of the business and then choose what you interested in. It is truly unique and a BIG DEAL.”
Aaron Gareau
LEAP Associate
Tampa, FL -
“Since the start of the LEAP Program, I have already seen professional and personal growth. I do believe most of the growth comes from having the opportunity to meet and talk one on one with various Executives here at UniFirst.”
Niya Carroll
LEAP Associate
Washington D.C -
“LEAP is a program designed to breed future leaders who will continuously strive to better themselves and pass their knowledge onto others.”
Walter Webb
Route Service Manager
LEAP Graduate
Baltimore, MD -
“When you join UniFirst, you join our family! The graduates within this program are all excited to welcome and help you through your LEAP journey, because you are a BIG DEAL!”
Storm Munoz
LEAP Associate
San Antonio, TX
Hear from some of the past LEAP Associates in the Leadership Development Program.
Next LEAP Training Locations
We are excited to announce our next LEAP Leadership Program training sites.
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Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA
Our Philadelphia location houses 151 Team Partners, 10 of which are U.S Military veterans! With approximately 4,500 customers, they are the largest location in their region, with one of the largest Sales and Service teams in the country! Their longest tenure is 43 years, and they speak both English and Spanish at this location.
UniFirst Philadelphia has won many awards including multiple Customers for Life Awards*, and Sales Awards for Big 10s* and Installs*. They also give back to their community by participating in local sports team sponsorships.
Fun fact: Philly is known as the Mural Capital of the Country, with over 2,000 gigantic art pieces.
*Customer’s for Life: Provide exceptional customer service so that our customers stay Customers for Life
*Sales Awards for Big 10’s: Awards that are geared towards the locations Top 10 accounts
*Sales Awards for Installs: Awards that are based on the amount of new accounts a location installs
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Hammond
Hammond, IN
UniFirst Hammond was the winner of the Silver Safety Award* in 2021! 70 Team Partners work here, and they service 1,000 customers. Three of their Team Partners are U.S. Military Veterans, including their General Manager, and the longest tenure is 37 years!
This location speaks both English and Spanish and loves to give back to their community. They are recognized by the Chamber of Commerce, participate in the Veteran’s Day Parade, and contribute to local charities. In July, they had a grand opening of their new facility that was attended by the mayor, local officials, and the CEO of UniFirst, just to name a few!
Fun fact: Bob Chapek, the CEO of Disney, is from Hammond!
*Silver Safety Award: Commitment to the safety of Team Partners and Customers
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Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX
Our Corpus Christi location is home to 65 Team Partners, five of which are U.S. Military Veterans! They proudly serve over 1,100 customers, and their longest tenure at the location is 41 years. This location loves to give back to the community. They sponsor food drives, host blood drives for hospitals, and donate to surrounding animal shelters, just to name a few!
This location has won many awards, including the Gold Safety Award* for their branch, a Silver Safety Award* for their plant, and the Customers for Life Award*!
Fun fact: Corpus Christi’s biggest recorded snowfall was 5 inches on January 29, 1897.
*Gold Safety Award: Commitment to the safety of Team Partners and Customers
*Silver Safety Award: Commitment to the safety of Team Partners and Customers
*Customer’s for Life: Provide exceptional customer service so that our customers stay Customers for Life
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Ontario, CA
Ontario, CA
UniFirst Ontario employs 119 Team Partners in their plant and 39 Team Partners in their branch. They have 3 U.S. Military Veterans, service 3,230 customers and speak both English & Spanish! The longest tenure at this location is 27 years.
Our Ontario location has won many awards, including the 2021 Top Performing Location of the Year in Region 7 making them an incredibly successful location at UniFirst! They love to give back to their community by sponsoring a local little league team and donating masks and hand sanitizers to the VA Hospital.
Fun fact: Ontario is home to the Ontario Mills, the largest one-story shopping mall on the west coast.
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Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ
Our UniFirst Phoenix location has been ranked as the top location in its region and the #1 plant for Customers for Life*. They are even adding a new branch this year due to their high growth in the last two years!
Phoenix has a very diverse culture, where at least four different languages are spoken (English, Spanish, French, and Arabic!). 121 Team Partners work here, two of which are U.S Military Veterans, and they service a growing customer base of 2,978 customers. The longest tenure of a Team Partner at their location is 32 years!
Fun fact: Stevie Nicks, singer-songwriter of Fleetwood Mac, was born in Phoenix.
*Customers for Life: Provide exceptional customer service so that our customers stay Customers for Life
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Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
UniFirst Buffalo is home to 63 Team Partners, three of which are U.S. Military Veterans! They service 1,800 customers and their longest tenure is 27 years. Buffalo has an incredibly diverse location that speaks a total of 4 languages: English, French, Spanish, and Burmese!
Our Buffalo location won the Silver Safety Award* in 2019. In addition to their awards, they love to give back to their community by working with Aspire of Western New York!
Fun fact: In 1886, Buffalo became the first city with electrically lit streets.
*Silver Safety Award: Commitment to the safety of Team Partners and Customers
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Birmingham
Birmingham, AL
Our Birmingham location is home to 103 Team Partners, two of which are U.S. Military Veterans. They serve over 1,500 customers and received the Silver Safety Award* in 2020. Among their high tenure as a location, their longest tenure of a Team Partner is 45 years!
This location loves to have fun, and even gets involved in the Talladega Nascar Events, in which UniFirst has our very own car! UniFirst Birmingham has prioritized giving back to their community as well by participating in the Birmingham Fire Mask Donation in 2020.
Fun fact: The oldest baseball stadium in the country, Rickwood Field, is in Birmingham.
*Silver Safety Award: Commitment to the safety of Team Partners and Customers
How Does LEAP Work?
This is a full-time 18-month Leadership Development Program for high potentials seeking a career in management. Upon successful completion of the program, Associates can expect an offer in several entry- to mid-level managerial roles at any of UniFirst’s 260+ locations!
But first, what is your path to this leadership opportunity?
Click below to learn more.
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Program Acceptance
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During the Program
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Program Benefits
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Managerial Opportunity