Progressive Young Farmer Programme

McDonalds 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. McDonalds is one of the UKs largest private sector employers, employing over 170,000 people.

Placement Duration: 12 Months
Location: UK & Ireland
Salary: £26,500
Programme Dates: August 2027 – August 2028

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.

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

Mc Cain

Potatoes

Scarborough

Noble Foods

Eggs

Lincoln

OSI/Pickstock

Beef

Scunthorpe / Telford

Pilgrims Europe

Poultry

Ashbourne / Lincolnshire / Northern Ireland

The Lakes

Eggs

Penrith

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• Applications close at midnight on Monday, 16 November 2026.

• Selected candidates will be invited to submit a video after CV and cover letter review.

• Assessment Centre scheduled for Monday, 14 December 2026 in London.

Our Global vision is to build a better McDonalds and in the UK and Ireland we are working hard to be the UK & Irelands best-loved restaurant company.

McDonalds 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,…