At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us for a year of hands-on experience in agriculture with exciting projects.
- Company: McCain Foods, a leading global frozen food company.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private healthcare, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for career growth await you!
- Why this job: Gain valuable insights and skills while working with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Must be studying Agriculture or related field and available for a 12-month placement.
The predicted salary is between 19350 - 23650 £ per year.
This is a placement year opportunity for 2027-2028, and not a grad scheme. This is only suitable for students who are due to finish their second year (doing a sandwich degree) and seeking a placement year opportunity!
In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.
About The Role:
We’re recruiting for an Agriculture Placement year student. You’ll join a line of successful interns that have all been in the same shoes, who’ve spent 12 months of their time at university walking through the doors of our HQ to gain some valuable experience. Some of which have since returned to continue their careers with us. You’ll join us in July 2027, and you’ll spend the next 12 months working alongside our Agriculture Strategy, Potato Supply, Regional Agriculture and Agronomy teams on projects and initiatives to drive efficiency throughout the business, support in building strong relationships and engaging effectively with growers and maintain potato supply to all manufacturing sites. You’ll get an insight into what life is like working for one of the largest frozen food companies in the world, and experience lots of different elements within agriculture.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Leading and managing events to enable knowledge transfer, celebrate success and to build our grower base.
- Interactions with the Regional Agriculture team and our growers on farms and providing support when McCain launch an exciting new digital tool.
- Providing proactive solutions to potato related operational issues to ensure continued manufacturing and minimising any disruption.
- With guidance from Director, Agriculture strategy you will manage a capital project effectively using a systematic approach to ensure that key project management principles are followed.
While working on some tasty projects alongside our teams, you’ll also live and breathe the victories that come with working in a professional Agriculture team, whilst also experiencing some of the real-life challenges that go with it. As an intern, you’ll not only get hands-on experience, but you’ll also experience development within a professional environment where you’ll work towards set objectives, with a clear development plan and regular one-to-ones with your line managers. You’ll build a network both inside and outside of McCain as well as creating connections with other interns across the business.
What You’ll Need To Be Successful:
Here at McCain we are go-getters. We are winners. And we work hard. And that’s what we look for in our interns. But you must also…
- Be currently studying a relevant degree in Agriculture or equivalent.
- Full clean driving license.
- Have a passion and interest in food.
- Be seeking a 12-month placement year to support your degree studies (which will run from July 2027 to June 2028).
- Must be available to start early July.
- And of course, a love of potatoes!
Benefits:
Alongside your salary, you'll enjoy a range of benefits including:
- Sign on bonus additional to your annual salary - to help you get started!
- Private healthcare.
- An excellent salary sacrifice pension scheme where we'll contribute double what you do, up to a maximum of 12% of your salary.
- 25 days' annual leave from day one plus bank holidays (increasing with service), giving you plenty of time to recharge with the opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days holiday per year.
- Life insurance cover providing peace of mind for you and your family.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay, because the moments that matter outside of work matter to us too.
- Medicash health cash plan, helping you claim money back on everyday healthcare costs, with access to a virtual GP and wellbeing support.
- TELUS Health employee and family assistance programme offering full wellbeing support - including a 24/7 confidential counselling line, legal and financial guidance, and a range of employee discounts.
- Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.
- A paid 'Chips In' Volunteering Day, giving you the opportunity to support projects that make a positive impact in our communities.
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements where the role allows.
And because you're joining a global business, your career opportunities don't stop at the factory gate. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, step into leadership, or even explore opportunities internationally, we'll support your growth. With ambitious plans for the future, there's plenty of scope to develop your career with us.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Agriculture - Placement Opportunity employer: McCain Foods
At McCain Foods, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. As an Agronomist, Research & Technology Lead in Leeds, you'll benefit from a supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth, offering extensive training and development opportunities alongside a competitive benefits package, including private healthcare and flexible working arrangements. Join us to make a meaningful impact in sustainable agriculture while enjoying a fulfilling career with a global family-owned company that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Agriculture - Placement Opportunity
✨Get Hands-On with Local Farms
Nothing beats experience in agriculture, so don’t hesitate to get your hands dirty! Visit local farms, offer to volunteer during busy seasons, or shadow experienced professionals. This not only boosts your skills but also helps you make valuable connections in the industry.
✨Join Agriculture Student Groups
Tap into university resources by joining agriculture-related student groups or societies. These often host events like farm tours, guest speakers, and networking nights which can lead you to exciting placement opportunities. Plus, it’s a great way to meet like-minded peers!
✨Attend Agricultural Shows and Fairs
Keep an eye out for agricultural shows and fairs in your area—they’re golden opportunities! Engage with exhibitors, ask about placements, and collect business cards. These events showcase what companies are looking for and can lead directly to job offers.
✨Apply Through Us - We Can Help!
When you're ready to take the plunge, don’t forget to check our website for placements. We make the application process easy, and applying through us connects you with companies like McCain Foods that are specifically looking for passionate individuals like you. Let’s get you that placement!
We think you need these skills to ace Agriculture - Placement Opportunity
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, make sure to share why you’re excited about agriculture! Let us know if you’ve had any relevant experiences, like working on a farm or participating in school projects related to sustainable farming practices. Your passion is super important for a placement like this at McCain Foods, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Relevant Skills and Knowledge:For the CV, focus on any agricultural skills you may have, whether it’s knowledge of crop management, animal husbandry, or familiarity with sustainable practices. If you’ve completed any courses or certifications related to agriculture, be sure to list them. This shows your commitment and readiness to learn on the job!
Connect with Us on Your Learning Goals:In your application, emphasise what you hope to learn during your placement at McCain Foods. Employers love to hear about your eagerness to grow! This could be anything from gaining hands-on experience to understanding the latest agricultural technologies. Let us know how this placement aligns with your career aspirations.
Tailor Your Experience to Us:If you've worked on projects or tasks—big or small—that are relevant to agriculture, mention them and explain how they’ve prepared you for this placement. Think about teamwork, problem-solving, or any specific techniques you’ve learned. Customising your application to fit what we do at McCain Foods shows you’ve done your homework and genuinely care about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at McCain Foods
✨Get Hands-On with the Field
In agriculture, practical experience speaks volumes. If you’ve volunteered on a farm or taken part in any agricultural projects, be sure to highlight that. Share specific examples of what you learned and how you’ve applied those skills in real-life situations.
✨Know Your Techniques and Tools
Brush up on common agricultural practices and tools that are relevant to the role. Understanding topics like crop rotation or the use of irrigation systems could come up in conversation. Being able to discuss these intelligently will show that you’re not just interested in theory but also in practical implementation.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for the Agriculture Industry
As this is a placement, employers are keen on candidates who show enthusiasm and a desire to learn. Be prepared to discuss what aspects of agriculture excite you the most and how you hope to grow during your time with McCain Foods. Your eagerness can set you apart from others!
✨Prepare for Situational Questions
During the interview, expect questions about how you'd handle various scenarios on the farm or in an agricultural setting. Think of examples where you faced a challenge, like weather conditions affecting crops, and how you responded. This will show your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to changing situations.
