Farmfoods 2024 graduate opportunities}

Company Company Profile

We are a family business with ambition. We pride ourselves on offering our customers great value, quality products from clean and tidy stores with the friendliest team in retail.

When we started out we were a butcher and meat processing business supplying meat products to the catering trade and to the public from our own shops. By the 1970's we had expanded and we had stopped selling to the trade to focus on selling only to the public. This is what we still do today.

In 1978 we bought and opened our warehouse on the site we still occupy in Cumbernauld, Scotland. This allowed us buy in bulk and discount our prices, attracting more and more customers. From this base we have expanded steadily.

Today we are a national business selling a range of over 1,500 great quality products to millions of customers each week. We have over 320 branches spread throughout the UK from Invergordon in the North of Scotland to Plymouth in the South of England.

We are a growing business who recognise the value of developing our people into leaders of the future. Our Management Development Programme is different, it is designed to give you a thorough grounding in retail and a sound understanding of our business.

Following your successful completion of the programme you will be assigned a permanent branch manager position. You will also be able to discuss opportunities for your future career with Farmfoods. Where you go after the programme is down to your own ability, personality and determination. There are permanent and secondment opportunities regularly available across our business from progressing to larger branch management, multi site management, distribution, administration, commercial and more. These opportunities require different abilities and skills and are always competitive but after completing our management development programme you are uniquely placed to succeed wherever your ambitions lie.

At Farmfoods we offer you a career, not just a job. From day one you are trusted, and respected as part of the team. Whatever your role, your contribution matters and in our fast paced business you can really make a difference.

Sounds good? Don't delay, click here to apply now!

Case Studies

Name: Dominika Daleszak, Graduate

The programme is often challenging but extremely rewarding and enjoyable.

Name: Ryan Martin, Graduate

The programme has been extremely rewarding where no two days on the job are the same, where there is continuous learning of new processes within the business which is fantastic and highly motivating.

Training & Profiles

During our 12 month programme you will experience almost every part of our business. You will have all of the support and training you need but you will find the job demanding, requiring excellent organisational skills and an ability to work efficiently.

After 9 months you will have acquired the necessary knowledge and management skills to enable you to take on the challenge of running one of our branches. This, the climax of the year, will see you running your own business for three months, managing a team of up to 40 people. You will have to draw on all of the knowledge and experience gained to date and you will have to work effectively, adopting a positive attitude as you motivate your team to overcome the daily challenges of running a successful business.

Once you have this experience successfully under your belt you will be equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and management experience to take on a permanent role managing one of our branches and at your final review & sign off meeting towards the end of the programme you will discuss opportunities for progressing your career with us. Whether for you that means into larger branches, multi-site management, training, distribution, administration, commercial or any of the many other opportunities within Farmfoods you can be sure that the skills you have gained during your training will leave you well equipped to succeed.

Day 1 - Induction

Welcome to the team! We'll get you started in a branch and introduce you to your mentor. A member of our senior operations team who will oversee your development throughout the programme by meeting with you every 6 weeks for a review.

Weeks 1 to 10 - Retail Assistant

During this time you will work hard to get to grips with the core operations within one of our busy branches. You will be expected to become a valued member of the branch team, working efficiently and to a high standard.

Weeks 11 to 13 - Distribution

You'll spend three weeks working in one of our four distribution centres doing everything from picking orders for stores, stock checking and administration during the busy Christmas period.

Week 14 - Holiday

Relax and enjoy a weeks holiday and return refreshed and energised to move on to the next stage in the programme.

Week 15 - Branch Auditor

Spend a week out on the road with one of our branch audit team. You'll visit 4 different branches this week and carry out a full audit on everything from customer service to product availability and cash handling.

Weeks 16 to 30 - Duty Manager

Now it is time for you to take on real responsibility and learn to become a Duty Manager responsible for running a shift in one of our branches. You will need to work hard, show initiative and act with completely integrity at all times. Your team will now be looking to you.

You'll also enjoy another weeks holiday in week 23

Week 31 - Residential Training

This week long course will cover communication, leadership, handling personnel matters, decision making, objective and goal setting and managing different types of people. Upon successful completion you will receive a nationally recognised qualification, CMI Level 5 in Business Management.

Week 32 - Holiday

Relax on another weeks holiday.

Week 33 - Central Services

There is a lot on this week, you'll spend time in one of our central offices in Birmingham and get a taste of what it is like to be part of our Customer Service, Buying, Marketing, Branch Returns, Payroll and Property teams.

Weeks 34 to 38 - Duty Manager

It's back into branch for 4 weeks to put everything you have learned in the residential course into practice before another week's holiday in week 38.

Weeks 39 to 51 - Branch Manager

The majority of your training is now over. You will be given your branch, a multi-million pound business, with a team of up to 40 people to run for an entire quarter. You will be set challenging targets to achieve and must work hard to run an efficient branch and show that you are an effective manager.

Final Review

Following the successful completion of three months running your own business, your final review & sign off meeting is your opportunity to reflect on the highs and lows of the year. At this meeting you will also be assigned a permanent branch manager position and you will also be able to discuss opportunities for your future career with Farmfoods. Where you go after the programme is down to your own ability, personality and determination. There are permanent and secondment opportunities regularly available across our business from progressing to larger branch management, multi site management, distribution, administration, commercial and more. These opportunities require different abilities and skills and are always competitive but after completing our management development programme you are uniquely placed to succeed wherever your ambitions lie.

Following your review & sign off meeting, you will have week 52 as a holiday

Application Procedure

There are three stages to our recruitment process each of which is designed to get the best out of you and to help us find the best people for our team.

Submit your online application before the deadline. You will be asked some short questions to make sure that Farmfoods is right for you and that you are right for us.

The deadline for submitting your application is 28th February 2015.

If successful in stage one you will be invited to take part in a short telephone interview to help us get to know you a bit better. Telephone interviews will be held during March 2015.

Assessment Centre

This is the final stage of our recruitment process. If you reach this stage you will be invited to attend one of our 6 group assessment centres (details of dates and locations can be found below). This is a day long event where you will take part in group tasks, individual assessments and a formal interview with a member of our recruitment team. Assessment centres will be held during April & May 2015.

Assessment Centre Dates

Before you apply please ensure you are available to attend one of our assessment centres below, should you reach this stage of the application process. You will be asked to select which assessment centre you would prefer to attend as part of the application form.

Manchester - Thursday 9th April, 10am-5pm

Newcastle - Wednesday 15th April, 10am-5pm

Glasgow - Thursday 16th April, 10am-5pm

Cardiff - Wednesday 29th April, 10am-5pm

Watford - Thursday 30th April, 10am-5pm

Birmingham - Thursday 7th May, 10am-5pm

FAQs

You will find the answers to some common questions below:

When can I apply?

You can apply online by clicking 'Apply Now' at the top of this screen.

What are the qualification requirements?

The Farmfoods Management Development Programme is open to any graduate with a 2:2 in any discipline. The degree does not have to be retail or management related.

Are there any other requirements?

You should also hold a full UK driving licence and have the right to work in the UK. Proof of both of these will be requested.

What is the application process?

Stage One - Application Form

The online application form consists of a number of short questions which enable us to get know a bit more about you and also to help you decide if we are the right company for you.

Stage Two - Telephone Interview

If your online application is successful you will be contacted to arrange a telephone interview. This will be a short interview to help us get to know you a bit better.

Stage Three - Assessment Centre

If you are successful at stage two you will be invited to attend an assessment centre. This is the final stage of the recruitment process and will last for a whole day. It will consist of a series of group tasks and a final interview with member of the Farmfoods management team.

Where and when will the Assessment Centres be held?

Assessment centres will be held in 6 different locations around the country, details of which you can find on this page.

When completing your application form you will be asked to select which Assessment centre you would prefer to attend, if your application reaches that stage.

How long is the programme?

The Farmfoods Management Development Programme lasts for 12 months

Will training be provided?

Full training and support will be provided throughout the programme and you will complete our comprehensive e-learning training courses. In addition, approximately half way through the programme you will complete a CMI Level 5 residential training course in business management. This will cover many different theory and practical aspects of business management including; communication, leadership, handling personnel matters and decision making. Your success on this course is a condition of your continued employment with Farmfoods.

What happens at the end of the programme?

At the end of the programme you will have a final review with members of the senior management team. Upon successful completion you will be assigned a permanent branch to make your own.

Will I be guaranteed a job at the end of the programme?

You will be offered a permanent position with us providing you have passed the criteria set out for the programme, for example passing your CMI training course and satisfactorily completing your regular reviews. Your final review will take place in August at the end of the programme. For the right people Farmfoods is a job for life.

I think I might want to end up in another part of the business, e.g. distribution, buying or service management. What are my 'options'?

What will my working hours typically be?

You will work 45 hours per week across 5 days. Retail is definitely not a Monday to Friday 9 to 5 job, so if this is what you are looking for you need not apply. Our teams work hard and nobody knocks off early. At Farmfoods we expect to go home a little tired, but pleased with a day's work well done.

What sort of support will I receive?

You will receive full support and training throughout your time on our programme including e-learning, a residential training course and on the job training.

You will also have your own mentor who will perform regular reviews with you to ensure you are progressing well, and who you can contact at any time should you have any concerns or questions.

How many people are you looking to recruit?

For the 2015 programme we are looking to recruit up to 50 people.

Why is the Farmfoods Management Development Programme a better opportunity than others?

You will not find another programme that better balances training, responsibility and the buzz of a fast paced job. Add to that a guaranteed secure job (following successful completion) at a national company with great opportunities and family values and we believe the Farmfoods Management Development Programme is truly first in class.

When can I expect to hear about the status of my application?

Shortly after you apply you should receive an email thanking you for submitting your application and confirming that it has been received.

If I am unsuccessful can I receive feedback?

We are unfortunately unable to provide feedback at the application form stage due to the high volume of online applications we receive. However, we are happy to provide feedback following the assessment centre if you request it.

If I am unsuccessful can I apply again?

Absolutely, you are welcome to apply again once our applications open for next year's intake. Just make sure you take on board any feedback provided.

I'm a mature student, can I still apply?

Of course, we have no age limits on our programme.

I'm a current Farmfoods employee, can I still apply?

Of course, please email training@farmfoods.co.uk for an internal application form.