McDonald’s Supplier Industry Placement

Company Description

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 a 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 the 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.

Job Description

The Progressive Young Farmer Programme

• Join one of McDonald’s suppliers for a full year.
• Rotate through multiple areas of McDonald’s unique supply chain - from farm to front counter.
• Work alongside our supplier's Agriculture team & gain hands-on experience on progressive farms.
• Carry out specific projects on key areas such as sustainability and technical efficiency.
• Travel to other key suppliers to gain an insight into multiple agricultural operations and supply chains.
• Experience a short period as a crew member in one of our restaurants.
• Become an ambassador for our brand and our suppliers by attending industry events.

We are offering an exciting and unique one-year industry placement programme with one of our long-term strategic suppliers for students looking to gain practical experience in our food supply chain from farm to front counter.

With professional training, you will gain the knowledge and practical expertise required to successfully work throughout the supply chain. No two placements are the same, so different interests can be explored during your time on placement.

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

What Team will I be a part of?

You will be employed by one of our leading McDonald’s suppliers (listed below)

This programme provides scope to follow our products from the farms we source from, through to our restaurants. You will report to a supervisor within the supplier’s Agriculture team, but have the opportunity to gain experience across different parts of the supply chain.

• Arla, Dairy, Leeds
• Kerry, Dairy, Republic of Ireland
• Dawn Meats, Beef, Republic of Ireland
• OSI Pickstock, Beef, Scunthorpe and Telford
• Avara / Cargill, Chicken, Hereford
• Pilgrim's Europe, Chicken, Ashbourne/Lincolnshire/Northern Ireland
• The Lakes, Eggs, Penrith
• Noble Foods, Eggs, Lincoln
• Cranswick, Pork, Hull
• McCain, Potatoes, Scarborough

Qualifications

What background do I need to have?

We are looking for passionate, curious, self-motivated and driven undergraduates with the ability to join a fast-paced team within the McDonald’s supply base for their year in industry. Successful candidates will have excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to use their initiative and think innovatively to find practical solutions.

An undergraduate degree in agriculture is not essential; in previous cohorts, we have placed students in their placement year who are studying a variety of undergraduate topics; people from non-farming backgrounds are celebrated within agriculture, bringing a diversity of thought enriches our supply chain. However, the candidates must have a willingness to learn more about a career within the food supply chain or farming. The ability to work independently and as part of a team is paramount for this role.

Essential Criteria:

• You 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:

1st Stage: CV and cover letter submission (Applications close midnight on Friday, 14th November)

2nd Stage: Video submission. Videos will be requested with a brief, following CV & letter reviews

3rd Stage: Assessment Centre. Assessment Centre will be held on Monday, 8th December 2025, in London

Benefits include:

• A competitive industrial placement salary of £25,500
• Professional development opportunities with mentoring within the supplier’s 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
• The opportunity to visit other McDonald’s suppliers on Insight Days throughout the year

Additional Information

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

“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.”