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Food Manufacturing Operations Degree Apprenticeship
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Earn while you learn with Cranswick and the University of Lincoln
Gain hands-on experience in manufacturing, learning how products are made, teams are led and operations are managed. You'll work towards a Level 6 Manufacturing Manager Degree Apprenticeship, developing the skills and knowledge needed to become a future leader.
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
About the Role
As an Operations Degree Apprentice, you'll learn how a food manufacturing business works from the inside. You'll gain hands-on experience across production, quality, planning and leadership, helping teams make sure products are produced safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.
You'll work alongside experienced managers, develop problem-solving skills, support improvement projects and learn how to lead people and processes in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Over time, you'll build the knowledge and experience needed to become a future Operations leader.
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Course Contents
- Identifying, forecasting, planning and scheduling resource requirements
- Identifying data requirements; data analysis and interpretation
- Using information technology
- Reporting, for example manufacturing performance data
- Communicating using different techniques, for example verbal, written, visual
- Building and sustaining collaborative relationships to influence internal and external stakeholders
- Presenting information, for example in staff briefings, customer meetings, management meetings
- Managing people, for example recruiting, leading, coaching and motivating a team
- Partnership working with local and/or regional union representation
- Driving compliance with legal, customer and product standards on site
- Devising, implementing and maintaining health & safety and environmental standards to achieve a harm free culture
- Producing budget proposals; negotiating budgets with senior managers
- Planning site based projects, for example for new capital investment, construction on site, new product lines and new equipment
- Managing change
- Conducting Continuous Improvement techniques within manufacturing environment
- Problem solving/trouble shooting within manufacturing environment
- Crisis management; agreeing, leading and implementing a site based disaster recovery plan
- Responding to third party audits; managing relationships with audit personnel
- F&D. Analysing food safety data, for example cooking/chilling temperatures, metal detection checks, storage and segregation
- F&D. Responsive production planning to adjust to customer orders
- F&D. Organoleptic testing of food and drink products
- F&D. Promoting food safety culture
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Training will combine practical experience at your Cranswick site with study towards the Level 6 Food Manufacturing Management Degree Apprenticeship delivered by the University of Lincoln.
Apprentices will attend regular university learning sessions and complete workplace-based projects throughout the programme.
Alongside university study, you'll take part in structured internal training covering food manufacturing, health and safety, quality, leadership, continuous improvement, operational excellence and people management.
You'll also have opportunities to network with apprentices across the business, attend knowledge-sharing sessions and learn from experienced managers and leaders.
Training will take place throughout the programme, with dedicated off-the-job learning time.
Qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4+)
- Maths (grade 4+)
A Level in:
- Any (grade C+)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Benefits
Cranswick is one of the UK's biggest food manufacturers, producing products sold in major supermarkets and enjoyed by millions of people every day. With sites across the UK, we offer exciting career opportunities, hands-on experience, great development programmes and the chance to earn while you learn with a business that's invested in your future.
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Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
https://cranswick.plc.uk/careers (opens in new tab)
In addition to a competitive salary above the National Minimum Wage, you'll benefit from a company pension scheme, Share Save Scheme, employee discounts, Cycle to Work Scheme, funded university tuition, structured development, mentoring support and excellent long-term career opportunities across the Cranswick Group.
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Career Progression
Successful apprentices will typically progress into supervisory and management roles within Operations. Depending on performance and business opportunities, potential career paths include:
- Production Supervisor
- Shift Manager
- Operations Manager
- Manufacturing Manager
- Site Leadership roles
During the programme, you'll gain the skills, knowledge and experience needed to lead teams, manage production processes, drive continuous improvement and support business performance within one of the UK's leading food manufacturers.
Many of our future leaders begin their careers through apprenticeships, making this an excellent pathway into a long-term management career with Cranswick.
Contact Information
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CRANSWICK PLC
Sam Foster
Sam.Foster@cranswick.co.uk
07443271043
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000051163.
Closes on Thursday 1 April 2027
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