SRUC

Food and Fresh Produce Graduate Scheme - MDS

Company: MDS
Salary: £26,000 starting salary 
Location: UK-wide
Date posted: 02 October 2025
Apply before: Unspecified - year round recruitment

 

The Job:

Looking for a fast-track route into leadership and management? The MDS graduate scheme offers driven graduates the opportunity to step straight into real-world roles across the food, fresh produce, agriculture and horticulture sectors. From day one, you’ll receive structured training, a full salary and expert guidance from our team, empowering you to take charge of your success.

Over two years, you’ll work in up to four secondments (each lasting 6-12 months) within some of the UK’s leading food and agriculture businesses - our Members.

These secondments will give you hands-on experience across a variety of disciplines; you might find yourself coordinating a harvest with a major grower in one secondment, and then leading a business-critical project with a national retailer in the next.

Wherever you go, you’ll be making a real impact - our Trainees are known for delivering results and driving innovation.

This is more than a graduate job - it’s a launchpad for your leadership career in an industry that’s essential, innovative, and full of opportunity.


  • Location: Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, International, Northern Ireland
  • Industry: Agriculture, Food, Horticulture
  • Job type: Permanent, Full-time, Graduate Programme

Food and Fresh Produce Graduate Scheme - MDS

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To apply, you must:

  • Have the right to work in the UK by the time the programme starts, and for the duration of the programme (two years)
  • Be able to relocate across the UK (and potentially overseas, though this is optional) for each secondment
  • Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to your own vehicle by the time you start the programme, as many secondments are in rural areas where public transport is not a viable option.

The Company:

MDS is the UK’s foremost provider of management training for the food industry. Founded in 1986 as a not-for-profit membership organisation, we create a pipeline of well trained, capable leaders to work in all aspects of the food supply chain.

The Candidate:

  • A degree, 2:1 or above
  • Strong industry experience
  • Leadership potential - the ability to inspire others, take initiative, and make things happen
  • Resilience and motivation - a strong work ethic and a drive to succeed
  • Adaptability - the confidence to relocate and thrive in new roles and environments every 6 months
  • A practical mindset - the ability to solve problems and work independently
  • Passion for the food and agriculture industry - enthusiasm for making a difference in a fast-moving, vital sector.

The Package:

  • Gain a Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification, accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
  • Be employed by MDS, with a salary of £26,000 in year one, rising to £28,000 in year two
  • Relocation allowance of up to £1000 per year
  • Benefit from mentoring and coaching to help you reach your full potential
  • Join a network of over 500 MDS alumni, many now in senior roles across the industry
  • Benefit from excellent career prospects - 100% of trainees to date have received a job offer upon completing the programme.

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