Operations Graduate in Cambridge

Burgess Farms is a fourth-generation, family-run business in East Anglia, growing and packing high-quality root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and parsnips. With a strong focus on sustainability, we use regenerative farming methods, reduce food waste and plastic, and work with partners to protect the environment. We supply leading retailers, wholesalers, and food processors, all while building on over 100 years of farming heritage.

Join Burgess Farms and kick-start your career in food manufacturing. As an Operations Graduate, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience within our operations team, developing a clear understanding of how our production environment works. You’ll be supported with tailored training, mentoring, and real responsibility from day one. While your role will sit within operations, there will also be opportunities to get involved in cross-functional projects with our technical and supply chain teams, giving you wider exposure to the business. This is a fantastic chance to grow your skills and develop into a future leader within a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Alongside your role, you’ll also take part in the Discovery Elevate Programme – a one-year graduate development programme designed to build the foundations of leadership and management. Through tailored training, coaching, and skills development, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to accelerate your career and become a future leader.

What You’ll Gain

• Experience across operations with the chance to contribute to projects in supply chain and technical.
• Mentoring and support from experienced leaders.
• Training and development tailored to your career goals.
• Hands-on involvement in a fast-paced FMCG environment where no two days are the same.
• The opportunity to progress into leadership or specialist roles within Burgess Farms.
• Discovery Elevate Programme – a one-year graduate development programme.

Our Values

• Customer First – putting our customers at the heart of everything we do.
• Responsible – operating safely, ethically, and sustainably.
• Collaborative – working as one team across all departments.
• Innovative – seeking better ways of doing things.
• Growing Trust – building strong, long-term relationships with our people and partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day operations to ensure production lines run smoothly and meet performance targets.
• Learn and apply lean manufacturing principles to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and drive continuous improvement.
• Work with production teams to monitor line performance, troubleshoot issues, and suggest improvements.
• Collaborate with planning and supply chain teams to understand how customer orders are scheduled and delivered.
• Support quality and food safety standards, working closely with QA teams to ensure products meet customer specifications.
• Gain leadership experience by supporting supervisors and team leaders in managing teams on the factory floor.
• Take an active role in health & safety by following safe working practices, reporting risks, and supporting wellbeing initiatives.
• Contribute to projects such as packaging optimisation, process improvements, and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues across different teams, sharing updates, feedback, and ideas.

What We’re Looking For

• A degree (any discipline – business, engineering, supply chain, or food-related subjects are advantageous).
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and take on new challenges.
• Ability to work as part of a team and build positive relationships.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• A passion for developing a career in food manufacturing and operations.