Graduate Scheme - Spring 2026

MDS • Full-time • United Kingdom • £24,501 - £27,000 / year • 2w ago

Fast-track your career in the food and fresh produce industry with MDS. Apply now for our Spring 2026 intake and gain unique practical experience and coaching, empowering you to lead the industry's future.The MDS Graduate program stands out from the rest. Designed for university leavers with leadership potential, it challenges from the start. Trainees develop their leadership skills in roles with real responsibility in several different companies during the two-year programme. At the same time, you will work towards a Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification, Operations Manager, accredited by the Chartered Management Institute.MDS Members are industry-leading businesses and represent all aspects of the food, fresh produce, horticulture and agriculture supply chain, from growers to supermarkets. During your two years at MDS, you will undertake at least three placements of 6 – 12 months in Member companies, giving you the broadest possible opportunity and experience. This allows you to explore your strengths, motivation and ideal fit without making a long-term commitment to one role or business.You will be given time off by your placement to attend the modular training necessary to achieve our formal leadership qualification specific to the food industry. Throughout the programme, you will also be supported with mentoring to help you reach your potential.As our Members are based around the UK (and some overseas) you should expect to relocate for each new placement. The roles available cover the full range of disciplines, from marketing to engineering, operations to HR, logistics to business planning. You may find that you spend six months running a project in a food processing plant and then move to a grower organising harvesting and analysis. What you can be sure of is that whichever roles you undertake, you will be expected to deliver results: MDS trainees have a reputation for achieving objectives through creative problem-solving.At the end of the programme, our Members are invited to make offers of permanent roles to our trainees, which usually results in every individual securing employment. MDS alumni now number over 500 and hold senior positions in many leading businesses. This is a fast-paced industry in which salaries are rising quickly. Trainees are employed by MDS at £26,000 per annum in year one, rising to £28,000 in year two.MDS plays an important part in promoting the food supply chain as an exciting career choice. We look for the skills and attitudes that meet the needs of this fast-paced industry and each person is carefully mentored to ensure they reach their potential.Benefits - Tax free relocation allowance of £500 for each relocation making it a potential £1000 extra per year - Chartered Management Institute approved qualification - Dedicated mentoring - 28 days holiday - Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - Interest free starter loanTo be considered for MDS, you will need to demonstrate leadership potential. Whilst academic achievement is important, and most of our trainees have achieved at least a 2:1 degree, it is not the primary basis on which we select our trainees. We are interested in hard-working, highly motivated people who can develop their ideas, set realistic goals and lead others.To apply the candidate must, by the start of their employment, have permission to work in the UK and be able to relocate every six months.Trainees benefit from up to four secondments with many being in rural locations, please be aware that public transport is not usually a viable option. All trainees will be responsible for their travel arrangements relating to their secondment and the inability to achieve this may result in a secondment not being able to be offered.

MDS

Apply for this job

Share this opportunity

Graduate job seekers also viewed these roles

Laboratory Scientist, Degree Apprenticeship

The Lubrizol Corporation • Full-time • Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom • 14h ago

Life Sciences Degree Apprenticeship Laboratory Scientist

14h ago

Apply

Scientist, Degree Apprenticeship

Luxfer MEL Technologies • Full-time • Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom • from £18,000 / year • 14h ago

Life Sciences Chemistry School Lever Opportunity Degree Apprenticeship

14h ago

Apply

Analyst Degree Apprenticeship, Chemical Science

Luxfer MEL Technologies • Full-time • Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom • 14h ago

Life Sciences Chemistry School Leaver Opportunity Degree Apprenticeship

14h ago

Apply

Digital Helpdesk Support Apprenticeship, Level 6

UKRI: Science & Technology Facilities Council • Full-time • Edinburgh, City Of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom • from £18,900 / year • 14h ago

Life Sciences Customer Service Apprenticeship School Leaver Opportunity Helpdesk

14h ago

Apply

Laboratory Technician Apprentice

UKRI: Science & Technology Facilities Council • Full-time • Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Redcar and Cleveland, England, United Kingdom • from £18,900 / year • 14h ago

Life Sciences Apprenticeship School Leaver Opportunity Laboratory Technician Lab Technician

14h ago

Apply

Analytical Services Degree Apprenticeship

Kindeva • Full-time • Loughborough, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom • 14h ago

Life Sciences Data Analysis School Leaver Opportunity Degree Apprenticeship

14h ago

Apply

Innovation Technician Apprenticeship

The Vita Group • Full-time • Accrington, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom • 14h ago

Life Sciences Apprenticeship

14h ago

Apply

Pharmaceutical Operator

Evotec • Full-time • Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom • from £22,000 / year • 14h ago

Life Sciences Chemistry School Leaver Opportunity Degree Apprenticeship

14h ago

Apply

Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship

Bristol Myers Squibb • Full-time • Wirral, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom • 14h ago

Life Sciences Apprenticeship Laboratory Science School Leaver Opportunity Degree Apprenticeship

14h ago

Apply

Graduate Retail Finance Analyst

Superdrug • Full-time • Croydon, Greater London, England, United Kingdom • 15h ago

Life Sciences Accounting, Insurance & Finance Retail Graduate Opportunity Graduate Job

15h ago

Apply