MDS
graduate scheme

Graduate Scheme – Autumn 2025

Job description

Kick-start your career in the food and fresh produce industry with MDS
Applications now open for our Autumn 2025 intake

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.

Why choose MDS?

  • 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

Ready to apply?

MDS recruits over 60 graduates each year, with programme intakes in April and October. Applications are open year-round via our website, and we review candidates on a rolling basis.

What we are looking for

  • We typically look for a 2:1 or above, but if you have strong industry experience, we would still like to hear from you.

More importantly, we want to see:

  • 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
  • Have the right to work in the UK by the time the programme starts, and for the duration of the programme (two years)
  • 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

Accepted degree subjects

Any

Additional job details

Location
UK wide
Salary
£26,000 - £28,000

Contract, dates and working times
Fixed term

Full-time

How to apply

The application process is straightforward and supportive, with three key stages:

  • Online application - no testing, and takes around 30-40 minutes to complete
  • Telephone interview - a chance to tell us more about you and your motivations
  • Virtual Assessment Centre - meet the team, take part in group tasks, and show your potential

If you’re ready to join a network of future leaders and fast-track your career in a thriving industry, apply now.

Click Apply to start your application now. This job will be available on Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ»ÆÆ¬ until 31 August 2025

Don't forget to mention Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ»ÆÆ¬ to employers when you contact them.

Closing date:  Continuous recruitment

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