Kepak Food Safety; Technical Graduate Programme - Wales

Role Purpose

The Graduate Scheme is designed to develop technical expertise within the meat processing industry, with a focus on Quality Control (QC). The role offers an opportunity to gain hands‑on experience through rotations in various technical departments before specializing in QC. Graduates will be trained to ensure the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and product quality, preparing them for future leadership roles such as a Site Technical Manager.

• Rotational Training:
  Participate in rotational placements across various technical departments, including Hygiene, Quality Control, and Production.
• Quality Control:
  Conduct daily hygiene checks, product quality assessments, and equipment inspections to ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Issue Identification & Escalation:
  Identify potential quality issues during inspections and escape them to the Line Manager (LM) or Technical Manager as required.
• Data Analysis:
  Analyse quality control data to identify trends and implement corrective actions to maintain product standards.
• Communication:
  Effectively communicate quality issues and resolutions within the QC team and with other stakeholders such as production supervisors and line workers.
• Stakeholder Management:
  Build solid relationships with internal stakeholders, maintaining assertiveness when addressing quality concerns while fostering a collaborative working environment.
• Compliance:
  Ensure the implementation and adherence to food safety laws, customer requirements, and internal standards, communicating these effectively to all levels within the company.

• Attention to Detail:
  Ability to perform repetitive tasks consistently while maintaining high levels of accuracy.
• Problem‑Solving:
  High analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to quickly grasp complex concepts.
• Time Management:
  Efficiently manage daily tasks to ensure all duties are completed within designated time frames.
• Communication:
  Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to work cross‑functionally and at various levels of the organization.
• Adaptability:
  Willingness to learn and adapt to various roles within the technical team, with the potential to manage people in the future.

• Work Environment:
  This role is based in a meat processing facility, which includes abattoir environments. Candidates should be comfortable working in such settings.
• Career Development:
  This scheme is designed to develop graduates into future leaders within the company, with a clear pathway to roles such as Site Technical Manager within 5-6 years.
• Location:
  
  The role is based in Wales, but candidates should be willing to travel to other Kepak, and external, locations as required.

Our Graduate programme allows dynamic, motivated, hardworking, and passionate Graduates an opportunity start their career with one of Ireland & UKs leading meat businesses. The programme lasts 2 years.

• To be fully immersed into our Culture from day 1, working alongside key industry experts and Kepak leaders
• An opportunity to work in various departments across the business with a rotation plan tailored to your development, the rotations plan will vary by site
• Gain an in depth understanding of our brands and products, and our relationships with customers and consumers
• To learn key aspects of our business, whilst you develop your skills and knowledge
• The opportunity to develop personally and professionally through exposure to key projects, tasks and development activities that challenge you, all supported by a detailed learner journey and training plan
• A dedicated mentor and development program to support you both on the programme and into a role that best fits your skills

Start date: September 7th 2026

Starting Salary - £28,000 with an up to £1,500 increase at the start of Year 2 to £29,500

Role Location - Kepak Merthyr, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales

We are looking for hardworking and ambitious Graduates, who want to learn and grow in a challenging and changeable environment, by performing real roles as part of your rotations.

You must be mobile and willing to travel…