Progressive Young Farmer - Supply Chain Industrial Placement

Who are McDonald’s?  

McDonald’s is proud to be one of the most recognised brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries and billions of customers served each year. As the global leader in the food and service industry, we have a legacy of innovation and hard work that continues to drive us. The UK & Ireland market has operated in UK since 1974 and the business is growing continuously with more than 1,400 restaurants and over 136,000 employees.

Company Vision and Culture…

Our Global vision is to build a better McDonald’s. In the UK and Ireland, we are working hard to be the UK & Ireland’s best-loved restaurant company.

Serve -  We put customers and our people first

Inclusion - We open our doors to everyone

Integrity - We do the right thing

Community - We are good neighbours

Family - We get better together

Our values drive our culture and shape our beliefs, our priorities and our actions. They influence the decisions we make, how we treat one another and how we show up as a brand to the world.

The Opportunity  

We’re offering an exciting and unique one year placement program with one of our strategic suppliers for students looking to gain practical experience in our food supply chain from farm to front counter. With professional training that will prepare you with knowledge and practical expertise required to successfully work throughout the supply chain.

The role is specifically designed for full-time undergraduates studying at college or university within the UK or Ireland.

What will my accountabilities be?

• Gain an overview of McDonald’s, and our suppliers’ unique businesses, with attention to business management.
• Carry out specific projects to gain a better understanding of sustainability and technical efficiency within the supply chain (food processing) and on farm.
• Undertake practical farming under the supervision of a progressive farmer and experience a short period as a crew member in one of our restaurants.
• Become an ambassador for our brand including attendance at industry events and potentially undertaking some communication activity.

What Team will I be a part?

You will be employed by one of our leading McDonald’s suppliers (listed below) as a progressive farmer.

• Arla – Dairy – Leeds
• Kerry – Dairy – Southern Ireland
• Dawn Meats – Beef- Southern Ireland
• OSI Pickstock – Beef - Scunthorpe and Telford
• Avara / Cargill – Chicken – Hereford
• Moy Park – Chicken – Ashbourne/Lincolnshire/Northern Ireland
• The Lakes – Eggs – Penrith
• Noble Foods – Eggs – Lincoln
• Cranswick – Pork – Hull
• McCain – Potatoes - Scarborough

This program provides scope to follow our products from the farms we use, through to our restaurants, enabling you to work with a number of different suppliers, farmers and partners around the country.

What background do I need to have?

We are looking for a passionate, self-motivated and driven undergraduate with the ability to join a fast-paced team. The successful candidate will have good interpersonal skills and the ability to use their initiative and think innovatively to find practical solutions. A background in agriculture is not essential, however the candidate must have a willingness to learn more about a career within the food supply chain or farming, and work alone as well as part of a team.

Essential Criteria:

• You will hold a full UK driving license
• You are willing to relocate and/or travel within your respective business (UK & Ireland)
• You are currently undertaking the second year of study for an undergraduate degree

Application Process:

CV and cover letter submission - Please ensure you submit these on the same document. Applications close midnight on 19th November 2023

Please note applications that do not include a cover letter will not be considered.

Video submission - Videos will be submitted before proceeding to assessment

Assessment Centre - Assessment Centre will be held on 4th December 2023

Benefits include:

• A competitive industrial placement salary of £23,000
• Professional development opportunities with access to mentoring within the business
• Extensive access to the Agri-Food industry with insight into more than one business
• Flexibility to tailor the structure of the programme to aid personal development
• Excellent networking opportunities as part of a cohort within a world renowned business

At McDonald’s we are People from all Walks of Life...  

People are at the heart of everything we do and they make the McDonald’s experience. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture that means people can be their best authentic self in our restaurants and offices, which helps us to better serve our customers.

We have a strong heritage of diversity and representation within our communities, which we are proud of. The diversity of our people, customers, Franchisees and suppliers give us strength.

We do not tolerate inequality, injustice or discrimination of any kind.   These are hugely important issues and a brand with our reach and relevance means we have a very meaningful role to play.

We also recognise our responsibility as a large employer to continue being active in our communities, helping to develop skills and drive aspirations that will help people to be more aware of the world of work and more successful within it, whether with McDonald’s or elsewhere.”