Graduate Scheme

A graduate programme at Avara Foods means opportunity, responsibility and the chance to truly shape your own career. All our graduate positions are real jobs with genuine accountability and business exposure, where you can make an impact.

Typically, you can expect a varied three-year programme, and the great thing about being a graduate at Avara Foods is that you can shape your scheme to match your interest, strengths and skills. If you want to explore the business to help you decide on your long-term career path, we’ll help you do that!

Supported by training, company-funded qualifications and regular graduate networking sessions, the Graduate Programme offers graduates a fantastic start to a career at one of the nation’s leading food businesses.

Opportunities do change each year depending on demand within the business, however typically we have Graduate opportunities within Operations, Engineering, Technical, Agriculture and HR.

What can we offer you as a graduate?

A competitive starting salary of £28,000, with performance-based salary reviews every 6 months.
Real responsibility in a role from day one – you could find yourself managing a small to medium sized team of diverse individuals.
Carefully structured training and support – we have designed a development pathway, which can be altered to support your own specific goals. You could also find yourself working towards a recognised qualification, such as an apprenticeship in Management & Leadership!
We also hold regular graduate workshop sessions with your fellow graduates, also giving you a chance to network with them
2/3-year programme, specific to each graduate’s long-term career goals and development aspirations
Regular 121 check in sessions with your Line Manager to discuss your progress
A supportive People Development Team, available to support you whenever you need it
A mentoring scheme – we have a choice of highly experienced mentors within various functions of the business, who you can check in with regularly, ask for advice and tap into their knowledge base.

What do we look for in a graduate?

a 2:2 degree (or higher), and CCC (or higher) at A-Level, with evidence of achievement
An inquisitive and forward-thinking mindset, who is always looking to learn and develop
An excellent communicator – both orally and written
Confident in building effective working relationships and working as part of a team.
Able to pick up and deliver projects, with the ability to work unsupervised
A flexible approach and responsible attitude to work and driving development

What does the Operations Programme look like?

Typically, as an Operations Graduate you will be joining the Operations Team on a 24-36 month varied and challenging programme, developing your skills and raising your strategic awareness, with the aim of becoming a key member of the site production team.

Working within a fast paced and diverse environment, this role will be varied and at times challenging, requiring strong communication skills and confidence in your ability to work with and influence others. You’ll be interacting with multiple business functions and key stakeholders and have the opportunity to influence key business decisions, which is a hghly rewarding aspect of the role!

Over your programme, you’ll rotate across numerous operational sites, learning first hand from the high-performance teams around you. You’ll gain an in-depth knowledge of production processes, quality controls and health and safety standards and grow your people management skills as you lead a team.

What does the Engineering Programme look like?

Typically, as a Graduate Engineer, initially you’ll work at one of our main processing sites where you will receive training and development to support your career aspirations through a comprehensive mentoring programme.

This training and development will comprise of both structured graduate development as well as specific technical training to support your role. Typically, after 12/18 months, you’ll then move to one of our other sites to complete your broad induction into FMCG engineering.

Your initial role will be either as a Principal Engineer or Project Engineer; this will rotate during your Engineering Graduate Scheme. During your programme, you'll be given engineering responsibility of an area within the operational environment, working as an Asset Manager, monitoring downtime, organising Planned Maintenance, gathering data to analyse trends, and conducting RCAs and FMEAs which will drive continuous improvement and reliability initiatives.

You’ll be given the opportunity to manage projects, utilising proven, innovative or emerging technology solutions to solve operational problems, therefore having an impact on operational performance! You’ll receive project management training ‘the Avara Way’ and have opportunities to work and input into key operational projects, as we continue to invest within our operations.

What does the Technical Programme look like?

Typically, as a Technical Graduate you’ll join our Technical function on a 3 year varied programme, rotating around 2 or 3 sites and departments, learning and working as part of our technical teams within our Primary and Processing Operations, Agriculture, Compliance and our Laboratories. We’ll help you to develop your skills and raise your strategic awareness, with the aim of becoming a key member of the site technical team!

Working within a fast paced and diverse environment, this role will be varied and at times challenging, and is based within the factory and office, depending on the role. You’ll become familiar interacting with both internal and external business functions, which is a valuable skill to develop as you take your career forward!

Over your programme, you’ll spend time and rotate within our Technical function, to give you a well-rounded understanding of our how our technical operations work and learning first hand from the high-performance teams around you. We’ll always support you in gaining in-depth knowledge of technical processes including Quality, Technical Services, Audit processes, Compliance, Food safety standards, and an opportunity to get involved in technical projects, whilst growing your people skills.

What does the HR programme look like?

Central Functions incorporates a range of different departments, including HR, Finance and Accounting! As an HR Graduate, typically, you could be based at one of our production sites, supporting the day to day needs of our managers and colleagues and developing your understanding of the front line of our business. You’ll be exposed to all aspects of operational HR from recruitment and selection through to employee relations; and, as your experience grows, so will your responsibilities.

Alternatively, you could be part of our wider HR team where you’ll help deliver engaging communications, effective training events or support the implementation of our busy business change programme.

We’re looking for enthusiastic, passionate individuals who are driven to succeed. If you’re a proactive, enthusiastic individual who loves a challenge, you could be a great Avara fit!

Application Process

Apply Online > Initial Telephone interview > Assessment Centre > Offer

Want to find out more about our Graduate Programme? Get in contact with us at [email protected]

We typically recruit in the Spring but occasionally we will recruit at other times of the year, too. If you’re interested in our Graduate opportunities, please get in contact with us! You can also register on our website now, to be notified when applications re-open.