Taste Your Future with Our Rotational Placement Programme!

Are you passionate about the food industry but unsure which area you want to specialise in? Our Rotational Placement Programme is the perfect opportunity for you to explore different functional areas across our business, gain invaluable experience, and discover where your true interests lie. 

If you have the appetite to learn and grow your career in the food industry, this programme is designed for you!

Programme Overview

Our structured programme allows you to rotate through three different areas of the business, such as: Procurement & Logistics; Operations & OpEx; Technical & Agri Technical; Commercial Sales & Marketing; Commercial New Product Development; Engineering; Sustainability; Finance; People, Culture & Experience; Agriculture; Exports & International Sales; and Supply Chain. 

From farm to fork you can experience it all!

  • Duration: 12 months

Programme structure:

  • Rotation 1: September - January (5 months)
  • Rotation 2: February - May (4 months)
  • Rotation 3: June - August (3 months)

Criteria

  • Currently studying at university for a degree that includes a placement year.
  • Aspiring to be a future leader in the industry.
  • Ability to identify three sites you would be happy to travel to, ensuring you can experience the breadth of our business.

Please Note: Relocation support is not offered as part of this programme, but you will be required to move across a minimum of 2 sites. Please ensure you are happy with the travel requirements before applying. A list of our sites and offices can be found on our contact page. At the time of application you will be asked which 3 sites would be your preference. 

What you'll gain

Diverse Experience:

Rotate through 3 different areas of our business & gain a broad perspective on the food industry.

Confidence Building:

Develop your confidence through hands-on experience & real-work experience.

Industry Experts:

Learn from seasoned professionals who are leaders in their fields.

Senior Sponsorship & Mentorship:

Benefit from guidance & support from senior leaders & mentors.

Skills Development:

Enhance your skills in teamwork, leadership, & personal development.

Face-to-Face Learning:

Participate in factory tours & on-site learning sessions.

End of Rotation Sign-offs:

Receive feedback & sign-offs from managers at the end of each rotation.

Leaders’ Competency Framework:

Develop competencies that make you versatile & attractive for future employment.

Programme Highlights

A Plateful of Possibilities

If you complete a fantastic year with us, we will offer you an unconditional place in our Graduate Trainee Programme after you finish your studies. This is your chance to grow your career in the food industry with a company that values innovation, teamwork, and personal development. 

Ready to Taste Success?

If you’re tenacious, agile, adaptable, and hungry to grow your career, Pilgrim’s Europe is the place for you. Apply now and start your journey towards a rewarding and tasty career! 

FAQs

Satisfy Your Hunger

A Day in the Life: HR Placement

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A Day in the Life: Operations Placement

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A Day in the Life: Technical Placement

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A Day in the Life: Commercial Placement

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A Day in the Life: New Product Development

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A Day in the Life: Supply Chain

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A Day in the Life: Operational Excellence

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A Day in the Life: Finance in the Food Industry

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Success Stories

Meet some of our previous placements:
Hi, my name is Adam, I’m 25 and I studied Business Analytics at Ulster University. I applied for & was offered to be part of the Rotational Placement Programme.
The 3 rotations that I was part of was Supply Chain, Operations & Human Resources. After completing my final year at University, I was fortunate enough to be offered a place on the Graduate Programme. I had decided to choose Human Resources as the functional area that I wanted to pursue. One of my main highlights was being able to see 3 different functional areas within the business, as a Placement Student this was beneficial for me, as I was able to find out what goes on in each department & allowed me to be able to learn different skills throughout each rotation. Also being able to see as much of the business as possible helped me decide what area I preferred the most. The biggest tip I could give is to be as open-minded as possible, you’ll be given so many different opportunities throughout your Placement experience and if you go in with an open mind, you will challenge yourself and learn new skills that you will be able to take back into the Final Year of University. Your support network is vital, the Career Pathways team, your mentor & your cohort will be there to lean on if needed on those days that you may need a bit more support. The 12 months will fly by, so enjoy it!
Adam
Hi, I’m Alissa. I completed a rotational placement within Finance and Procurement and have since returned to participate in the graduate scheme within the Finance function.
During my year-long rotational placement at Pilgrims, which took place in my third year of university, I had the opportunity to work across both Finance and Procurement functions. This provided me with a well-rounded view of the business and allowed me to develop a diverse set of skills. Returning as a Finance graduate after gaining insight into which function I enjoyed most has been an incredibly rewarding experience so far – and I'm only six months in! These first six months have been a dynamic blend of learning and hands-on experience, contributing significantly to my growth and deepening my understanding of the financial aspects of the business. I’m excited to continue learning, developing, and networking across the business. The graduate/rotational placement scheme is an excellent opportunity and I would highly recommend as it offers you invaluable experiences and the chance to make lifelong friends throughout.
Alissa
Hello, my name is Luke, I am 23 years old, and I am currently working in Supply Chain as part of the Pilgrim’s Europe Graduate trainee programme.
I first joined the business in 2022 as a placement student during my year in professional practice at Ulster University. During this period, I completed 4 rotations, delving into and gaining first-hand experience of supply chain planning, transport and logistics, human resources and continuous improvement. This provided a fantastic insight into the business and industry and allowed me to gain experience of a vast range of areas and departments vital to the success of such a large company, and I was delighted to be offered a place on the Graduate Programme working in Supply Chain. During my first 6 months, I have been working as Team Lead, which has allowed me to gain essential insight into people and area management, the traits required to become an effective leader, and I have developed an enhanced skillset through the projects and activities this exposed me too. Pilgrim’s Europe is committed to developing our professional careers, with exciting off-site training and development days, and so many internal opportunities to network with all areas and departments of the business, even getting a chance to travel amongst a variety of sites. My experience at Pilgrims has been fundamental to kickstarting my professional career, and I look forward to seeing what my future here entails!
Luke

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