Graduate Training Scheme

Do you want to contribute to business success from day one? Do you enjoy working with and motivating other people? Do you want to work for a leading international food manufacturing company?

If you have answered ‘Yes’ to these questions, then Bakkavör’s Accelerated Management Scheme could offer you the perfect career opportunity.

Who are Bakkavor?

Bakkavor Group is a leading international food manufacturing company specialising in fresh prepared foods and produce with a turnover of £1.6 billion in 2008. Our vision is to be recognised and respected as the world’s leading fresh prepared foods and produce provider. We have attained leading market positions in our key market areas and we make over 6,000 products in 18 product categories which are developed and sold predominantly under our customers’ own brands

We employ over 19,000 people. Our ability to achieve our goals is underpinned by well-invested factories, a strong experienced leadership team and long standing customer relationships. Our culture is underpinned by our five core values - Customer Care, Can-do attitude, Teamwork, Innovation and Efficiency . We encourage our employees to take initiatives and empower them to make things happen. They have the opportunity to fulfil their potential in an environment where innovation and change is encouraged.

The Scheme

Our aim is to attract and retain bright and talented people, with the values that match those of the company. The Group runs a fast-track graduate programme - the Accelerated Management Scheme - to develop the future leaders of our business. The programme provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in real jobs within the Group, alongside supportive training and mentoring. There are six different schemes within the overall programme. The Finance and HR scheme are 3 years in duration, all other schemes are 2 years. All schemes involve placements within different businesses across the UK giving experience in various product areas and with different customers. There is a programme of off job training to support the schemes as well as on job training, coaching and mentoring. Graduates are able to apply for any one of the schemes:

Manufacturing

If you like accountability and an incredible level of variety in your job, manufacturing is the scheme for you. Your challenge is to deliver manufacturing efficiencies, whilst adapting to the changing needs of customers and consumers. You are most likely to find yourself responsible for teams running production lines and their quality, output and costs. As well as organisational and technical skills, you'll need to promote the highest standards in health and safety. Bakkavor use materials, labour and equipment to create thousands of products every day. Your challenge is to get them all together in the right place, in the right quantity – to deliver outstanding customer service at the right time. You will be expecting, or will have attained a manufacturing, engineering or business related degree.

Product Development

This is a fantastic opportunity for food related graduates who want to be part of a team that will influence what is on supermarket shelves and the nations eating habits. We are known for market leading innovation, so you will need to demonstrate that you understand consumer trends as well as what is happening in the retail and restaurant food scene, can mix and match flavours and be comfortable in the kitchen with a degree of kitchen competency. You will need to be a strong team player who will work with determination and tenacity, be receptive and supportive to others, and committed to continuous personal development. You will be expecting or have recently completed a food related degree. It is vital that you have a genuine passion and knowledge of food and trends, with a high standard of practical kitchen experience

Finance

A CIMA affiliated scheme with the aim of giving the relevant training and practical work experience to gain the CIMA qualification within 3 years. The scheme will offer candidates an in depth understanding of the way in which the business operates and give them the necessary skills and experience to allow them to reach a key management role within 5 years of joining. This scheme is for people who are interested in seeing the real workings of a business. It encourages the candidates to look past the basic accountancy skills and get involved in the wider decision making in the business. This will involve interaction with all areas of the business, including manufacturing, commercial and marketing, supply chain and new product development. The pace is fast and you will be involved in a large blue chip manufacturing business where your impact could be significant.

HR

The HR AMS scheme provides the opportunity to gain practical work experience and relevant training including working towards the CIPD within 3 years. It is essential that you are business focused and have strong interpersonal and influencing skills. The pace is fast and so excellent organisational skills are essential. Your impact will be visible and significant. This scheme involves interaction with all areas of the business and will cover the core skills including recruitment, employee relations, performance management, employment law, pay management, development and succession. You must be expecting or have attained a degree, ideally in Business, Human Resource Management or related degree.

Technical

In a Technical role you will be working with New Product Development, Production, Purchasing and many other departments to assist in the development and manufacture of safe, high quality products. You will assist others in knowing what can and can’t be done and agreeing solutions. You will need to be decisive, confident and firm in approach, coupled with a desire to continue learning and developing your skills. Typical placements are Quality Auditor (where you will have responsibility for monitoring compliance with technical standards and helping your colleagues to resolve any issues identified), Process Technologist (involving the safe development of new product concepts into real products) or Technical Systems Administrator roles (helping develop and maintain due diligence systems for the business). It is anticipated that after two years you will take your first junior management role with the potential to reach a Technical Manager role within 7-10 years. You will be expecting, or will have attained, a Technical, food related or Science based degree.

Produce

This scheme will give you a taste of the challenges faced within a dynamic Fresh Produce environment, and equip you with all you need to make the most of your career. From day one you will be contributing to key business projects and will be offered a genuine opportunity to add immediate value to your team. You have the opportunity to progress onto a very bright future with the industry leader. The scheme consists of four six month work placements across the following disciplines:

Technical/Quality Control Commercial/Marketing/NPD Manufacturing/Growing Buying/Procurement Graduates will have studied an Agricultural, Horticultural, Food Crop, Science or Manufacturing related degree. In addition, proficiency in a second European language would be an advantage.

Application Procedure

If you are intersted in applying for any of our schemes please email your CV and Covering Letter to Graduate.enquiries@bakkavor.co.uk quoting one of the following reference numbers:

BW1010 Food Technology BW1011 Manufacturing BW1012 Development BW1013 Produce BW1014 Finance BW1015 Human Resources You will then be contacted by our recruitment partner Carrus who will determine if you are right for us and the scheme, and whether Bakkavor is right for you. You will then be invited to take part in a telephone interview and if successful a face to face interview.

Successful candidates will then be invited to join us at a selection day. At this event you will have a chance to meet informally with managers of the scheme and past graduates. We will tell you more about Bakkavor and the scheme. You will be involved in a number of activities which will help you decide if you are interested in us and whether we feel you are right for the scheme. After the event we will either offer you a job or give you feedback to help you progress with your job search.

If you require further information please contact us on 01625 562302.
We are only able to consider candidates who are eligible to live and work in the UK and have a full UK or international driving licence.