Graduate Scheme opportunity
Company: MDS
Salary: £26,000 - £28,000
Date posted: Unspecified
Apply before: 30 April 2025
The Job:
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.
- Location: Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Wales
- Industry: Agriculture, Food, Animal and Biological Sciences, Business
- Job type: Full-time, Graduate Programme

The Company:
The Fresh Produce and Food industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the country and MDS nurtures talented graduates to become future leaders in this innovative, diverse, and sustainable industry.
MDS is a non-for-profit organisation that was set up in 1986 by a group of forward-thinking growers concerned about the shortage of skilled managers within the industry. Our current membership stands at over 60 businesses which continues to grow year on year. The collaboration of MDS and industry leading businesses has fast-tracked the career of over 500 graduates.
The Candidate:
To 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.
Any degree subject accepted.
The Package:
- 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 loan.
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