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- Tasks: Work on exciting projects in chemical engineering, from design to completion.
- Company: Join Cargill, a global leader in food and agriculture with a family-oriented culture.
- Benefits: Earn £23,000 per year plus benefits and gain invaluable work experience.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Studying Chemical Engineering with a passion for hands-on learning and teamwork.
- Other info: Great pathway to future career opportunities in a supportive and inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 19000 - 27000 £ per year.
Cargill’s size and scale allows us to make a positive impact in the world. Our purpose is to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.
Cargill is a family company providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions and industrial products that are vital for living. We connect farmers with markets so they can prosper. We connect customers with ingredients so they can make meals people love. And we connect families with daily essentials — from eggs to edible oils, salt to skincare, feed to alternative fuel. Our 160,000 colleagues, operating in 70 countries, make essential products that touch billions of lives each day. Join us and reach your higher purpose at Cargill.
This position is in Cargill’s food and bioindustrial business, where manufacturers, retailers, and foodservice companies rely on us to consistently deliver the products and services they need, and use our technical expertise and market knowledge to develop innovative products.
Location: Manchester
Start date: July 2026
£23,000 per year plus benefits
Are you looking for a placement at the end of your second or third year and are you studying a Chemical Engineering degree? If so, Cargill can offer you a superb opportunity to gain valuable work experience on our 13‑month Undergraduate programme.
During your placement with Cargill, you will spend your time in one of our sites in the UK.
You will be responsible for small projects from initial design to completion. This will involve justification of projects, design, liaise with contractors to obtain the best possible solution, installation and finally commissioning. This could be anything from modification of pipe work to implementing changes in the process. You will participate in day-to-day manufacturing operations and this could include shift work. The Engineering Placement programme is a great pathway to the EMEA Graduate Program.
What you will be doing
- Comprehensive induction to Cargill including full safety training
- Spend time working on‑shift to learn our processes and support site production management
- Play an active part in running our process and supporting our business
- Support and lead small continuous improvement processes, delivering improvements around safety, food safety, product yield and process efficiency
- Be given direct responsibility for capital projects, including the design, installation and commissioning to help develop project management skills and responsibility for a future career
- Responsible for running regular site project update meetings and maintaining budget information for all site projects on Cargill’s project monitoring software
- Coordinate input from engineering disciplines and subject matter experts to ensure engineering designs meet the specific needs of the business
- Learn soft skills that will be transferable in your future career
- Gain an excellent working knowledge of unit operations learnt at university with hands on practical experience
- Develop the ability to work with a variety of different colleagues in our operations i.e. operators, supervisors, supply chain, finance, health & safety and food quality
- Be involved in citizenship activities within our local communities
What we are looking for
- Currently studying for an undergraduate Chemical Engineering Degree (BEng. or MEng.) with an expected grade of 2:1 or above
- Students that are able to take ownership, want to gain hands on experience, and are curious and passionate to learn as well as being a strong communicator
- Good technical understanding of a process environment
- Ability to learn to use new engineering and management software swiftly and proficiently
- A strong interest in our business, our industry and in particular the position you have applied for
- Fluency in English language
Application process
- The first stage of our recruitment process is an interview with a recruiter to assess and rate your responses to a series of questions about your motivation and experience. If successful, then you will be invited to participate in an assessment centre at one of our facilities.
- Prior to attending the assessment centre, you will be invited to complete some online testing at home.
- The assessment consists of a range of activities. You will have the opportunity to go on a site tour, learn about the unit operations and meet current placement students. If you need any reasonable adjustments or additional arrangements to support your application please let us know.
- We will give due consideration if you have a preferred location and we will meet your requests where possible, but we do expect placement students to be flexible in their location and to be prepared to be placed out of any of the production facilities.
Our Offer
We provide a fast paced stimulating international environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive salary and benefits combined with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.
Interested? Then make sure to send us your CV and cover letter in English today:
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cargill
Cargill is committed to being an inclusive employer. Click here to find out more https://www.cargill.com/careers/global-inclusion-and-diversity
Cargill is committed to being an inclusive employer. Click here to find out more https://careers.cargill.com/diversity/
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Chemical Engineering Placement Student UK 2026 employer: Cargill, Incorporated
Contact Detail:
Cargill, Incorporated Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chemical Engineering Placement Student UK 2026
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Cargill and their values! Research their projects and initiatives, especially in food safety and sustainability. This will help you connect your passion for chemical engineering with their mission during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your interview skills! Mock interviews can be a game changer. We recommend getting a friend or mentor to throw some common questions your way, so you can respond confidently and show off your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! Whether it's through projects at uni or internships, be ready to discuss specific examples where you've taken ownership and solved problems. This is key for a placement that involves project management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Cargill and ready to take that next step in your career.
We think you need these skills to ace Chemical Engineering Placement Student UK 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Chemical Engineering role at Cargill. Highlight relevant coursework, projects, and any hands-on experience that showcases your skills and passion for the industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your enthusiasm for the placement and how your background aligns with Cargill's mission. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Cargill is looking for candidates with a good technical understanding of process environments. Make sure to mention any software or engineering tools you’re familiar with, as well as any relevant projects you've worked on.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the application process there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cargill, Incorporated
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of chemical engineering principles and how they apply to the food and bioindustrial sectors. Brush up on your knowledge of unit operations and be ready to discuss how your academic experience relates to the projects you might work on at Cargill.
✨Show Your Passion
Cargill is looking for candidates who are curious and eager to learn. Be prepared to share why you're interested in their mission to nourish the world sustainably. Highlight any relevant projects or experiences that demonstrate your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Practice Common Questions
Anticipate questions about your motivation, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Prepare specific examples from your studies or previous experiences that showcase your ability to take ownership and lead small projects, as this will resonate well with what Cargill values.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the role, team dynamics, or Cargill's sustainability initiatives. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
