McDonald's Corporation
McDonald's Progressive Young Farmer Programme
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About Us
McDonald's has run its business in the UK since 1974 and currently operates over 1500 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, serving almost four million customers each day. McDonald's is one of the UK's largest private sector employers, employing over 170,000 people.
Department Overview
McDonald's Progressive Young Farmer Programme
Undergraduate Industry Placement
- Placement Duration: 12 Months
- Location: UK & Ireland
- Salary: £26,500
- Programme Dates: August 2027 – August 2028
What Team Will I Be Part Of?
Participants will join one of McDonald's leading suppliers and gain practical experience across the supply chain, following products from farms through to restaurants. You will report to a supervisor within the supplier's Agriculture Team while gaining exposure to different areas of the wider supply chain.
Participating Suppliers
| Supplier | Category | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Arla | Dairy | Leeds |
| Cranswick | Pork | Hull |
| Dawn Meats | Beef | Republic of Ireland |
| Kepak | Beef | Republic of Ireland / UK |
| Kinisla | Dairy | Republic of Ireland |
| McCain | Potatoes | Scarborough |
| Noble Foods | Eggs | Lincoln |
| OSI/Pickstock | Beef | Scunthorpe / Telford |
| Pilgrims Europe | Poultry | Ashbourne / Lincolnshire / Northern Ireland |
| The Lakes | Eggs | Penrith |
Duties
The Opportunity
This placement offers the chance to:
- Join one of McDonald's key suppliers for a full year.
- Rotate through multiple areas of McDonald's supply chain, from farm to restaurant.
- Gain hands-on experience with supplier agriculture teams and progressive farms.
- Work on projects focused on sustainability, technical efficiency, and agricultural innovation.
- Visit key suppliers to gain insight into agricultural operations and supply chains.
- Spend a short period working as a crew member in a McDonald's restaurant.
- Act as an ambassador for McDonald's and its suppliers at industry events.
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Qualifications
What Background Do I Need?
We are looking for passionate, curious, self-motivated, and driven undergraduates who can thrive in a fast-paced environment within the McDonald's supply base. Students from all degree disciplines and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. An agricultural background is not essential, as diverse perspectives strengthen the industry.
Candidates should have:
- A passion for food, farming, or supply chains.
- The ability to work independently and within a team.
- A willingness to learn about careers within food supply chains and farming.
Benefits
- Competitive placement salary of £26,500.
- Professional development and mentoring from industry experts.
- Exposure to the wider agri-food sector across multiple businesses.
- Flexibility to tailor the programme to your personal development goals.
- Excellent networking opportunities within both the placement cohort and a global brand.
- Insight Days with other McDonald's suppliers throughout the year.
Essential Criteria
Applicants must:
- Hold a full UK or Irish driving licence.
- Be willing to relocate and/or travel within the UK and Ireland.
- Be currently undertaking full-time third-level education.
- Have the legal right to work in the UK and Ireland.
Application Process
-
CV & Cover Letter Submission
Applications close at midnight on Monday, 16 November 2026.
-
Video Submission
Selected candidates will be invited to submit a video after CV and cover letter review.
-
Assessment Centre
Assessment Centre scheduled for Monday, 14 December 2026 in London.
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Company Vision and Culture
Our Global Vision
Our Global vision is to build a better McDonald's and in the UK and Ireland we are working hard to be the UK & Ireland's best-loved restaurant company.
Our Culture
McDonald's is defined by its culture. Our culture shapes and informs everything we think and everything we do. Our culture influences the way we interact with each other, and how we interact with customers, franchisees, and suppliers. Our culture motivates and inspires us to attract and retain great talent, creating a positive, energising, exceptional working environment for us all.
Our Values
- Serve: We put our customers and our people first.
- Inclusion: We open our doors to everyone.
- Integrity: We do the right thing.
- Community: We are good neighbours.
- Family: We get better together.
Our Commitment to Diversity
At McDonald's we are People from all Walks of Life...
People are at the heart of everything we do, and they make the McDonald's experience. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture that means people can be their best authentic self in our restaurants and offices, which helps us to better serve our customers. We have a strong heritage of diversity and representation within our communities, which we are proud of. The diversity of our people, customers, Franchisees, and suppliers gives us strength.
We do not tolerate inequality, injustice, or discrimination of any kind. These are hugely important issues and a brand with our reach and relevance means we have a very meaningful role to play.
We also recognise our responsibility as a large employer to continue being active in our communities, helping to develop skills and drive aspirations that will help people to be more aware of the world of work and more successful within it, whether with McDonald's or elsewhere.
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