Manufacturing Graduate Programme

Salary:

Year 1: £30,000 + £1,000 one-off signing-on bonus ,

Year 2: £32,000 - £35,000 ,

Year 3: £37,000 - £40,000.

Increments are based on annual assessments.

Closing date:

12th December 2025 (this is subject to change, so please apply as soon as possible) .

Start Date:

September 2026.

We are seeking aspiring individuals eager to build a career in Food Manufacturing and Operations, with aspirations to become an Operational Leader. You should be curious, adaptable, and willing to question norms. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:* Degree: Have achieved or be expected to achieve at least a 2:2+ honours degree in any discipline .

Experience: Have at least three months of relevant work experience .

Work Eligibility: Have the right to work in the UK for a minimum of 3 years from September 2025 .

Flexibility: Be willing to complete three 12-month placements at different locations across the UK .

Motivation & Cultural Fit: Show a clear commitment to advancing your career in the food industry and an alignment with Bakkavor's values.

This programme gives you comprehensive exposure to various food manufacturing sectors, where you will learn about factory operations and people management. From the start, you will take on supervisory roles with opportunities to manage and develop high-performing teams. You will build skills to manage teams, uphold operational excellence, and ensure food safety and health & safety standards. With dedication, you can aim for a Factory or Operations Manager role within 5-7 years.

You will receive extensive support from a dedicated Champion, a mentor, your Line Manager, and a cohort of up to 20 other graduates. Training opportunities include specialised leadership training, workshops, rotational placements, management skills training, and the possibility of Apprenticeship Qualifications after the programme. Benefits include a pension scheme , relocation financial assistance , an additional living costs allowance for London placements, an additional holiday purchase scheme (25 days as standard) , and access to employee benefits.

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Locations

Candidates can request a region for the first year; Years 2 and 3 will be UK wide. One of the available positions includes a guaranteed role at our Bo'ness, Scotland site upon completion of the programme.

This map shows the location of all the Bakkavor sites.

Why join Bakkavor

At Bakkavor, we have pride. And purpose. From our Icelandic origins we have grown to be the leading provider of fresh prepared food in the UK. And we continue to expand, in the US and China. Our world is fast-paced, exciting and energetic. And that’s just how we like it. We have drive. Ambition. Motivation. We are food heroes, who keep the supply chain moving despite demanding times. We work hard. We are resilient. We solve problems together. And we deliver for our customers. Our passion brings joy through the food we produce – and the communities we work in. Our values are extremely important to us, they drive the way we do business – they are what make Bakkavor different to everyone else.

Manufacturing Graduate Programme

Locations

Why join Bakkavor

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