McDonald's Progressive Young Farmer Programme
Let's be part of something together
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London, United Kingdom, N2 8AWInternCompetitive
Apply Overview
About Us
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.
Department OverviewMcDonald's Progressive Young Farmer Programme
Undergraduate Industry Placement
Placement Duration: 12 Months
Location: UK & Ireland
Salary: £26,500
Programme Dates: August 2027 – August 2028What Team Will I Be Part Of?
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.
Participating Suppliers
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
McCain
Potatoes
Scarborough
Noble Foods
Eggs
Lincoln
OSI/Pickstock
Beef
Scunthorpe / Telford
Pilgrims Europe
Poultry
Ashbourne / Lincolnshire / Northern Ireland
The Lakes
Eggs
Penrith
DutiesThe Opportunity
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.
QualificationsWhat Background Do I Need?
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.
Candidates should have:
- 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.
Benefits
- 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.
Essential Criteria
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.
Application Process
1. CV & Cover Letter Submission
- Applications close at midnight on Monday, 16 November 2026.
2. Video Submission
- Selected candidates will be invited to submit a video after CV and cover letter review.
3. Assessment Centre
- Assessment Centre scheduled for Monday, 14 December 2026 in London.
Company Vision and Culture
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, creating positive, energising, exceptional working environment for us all.
Our values drive our culture and shape our beliefs, our priorities and our actions. They influence the decisions we make, how we treat one another and how we show up as a brand to the world.
Serve: We put our customers and our people first
Inclusion: We open our doors to everyone
Integrity: We do the right thing
Community: We are good neighbours
Family: We get better together
At McDonalds we are People from all Walks of Life...
People are at the heart of everything we do, and they make the McDonalds experience. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture that means people can be their best authentic self in our restaurants and offices, which helps us to better serve our customers. We have a strong heritage of diversity and representation within our communities, which we are proud of. The diversity of our people, customers, Franchisees and suppliers gives us strength.
We do not tolerate inequality, injustice or discrimination of any kind. These are hugely important issues and a brand with our reach and relevance means we have a very meaningful role to play.
We also recognise our responsibility as a large employer to continue being active in our communities, helping to develop skills and drive aspirations that will help people to be more aware of the world of work and more successful within it, whether with McDonalds or elsewhere.
Benefits
perksHybrid Working
Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid working with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.wellnessPrivate Medical Care
Corporate employees receive private medical care, either immediately or following 6 months service depending on your role.perksHoliday Allowance
Full-time office employees receive 28 days paid holiday annually, plus 2 months sabbatical per every 10 years’ service.wellnessWellness Benefits
Your wellbeing matters. Enjoy access to wellbeing resources, mental health support, and initiatives designed to help you feel your best – in and out of work.perksPension & Life Assurance
Access our stakeholder pension scheme alongside Life Assurance cover if you contribute a minimum of 3%.perksCareer Growth
We highly value talent and believe in helping our people grow. We support career progression through mentorship, training and leadership development opportunities.wellnessValues Heroes
We live by our values and we reward those who demonstrate their commitment to them.perksPerformance Reviews & Bonus
Your performance will be reviewed formally every 6 months and pay is reviewed annually based on performance. There is also potential to receive an annual bonus each year.perksMeals at Work
You can choose food from our restaurant menu on your break and can even try the latest promotions.recognitionLength of service
Your length of service doesn’t go unnoticed – we reward you with monetary benefits for long service.perksPay & Perks
Receive competitive pay and a range of exclusive perks, including employee discounts and an on-site gym at our Head Office.perksEmployee Discounts
Benefit from our generous employee discount scheme, covering a range of retailers and services across the UK.perksSummer Fridays
Summer Fridays allow our Corporate Careers teams to finish early, every Friday, during the summer months.McDonald's Progressive Young Farmer Programme
- Location:
- London, United Kingdom, N2 8AW
- Contract Type:
- Intern
- Pay:
- Competitive
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect from the recruitment process?
The recruitment process differs for each role. If we think you’re a good fit, we’ll invite you to a competency based interview and then onto a second interview usually with an associated task to complete or present.
What are the pay rates at McDonald’s?
Our pay rates differ from role to role, but we always ensure that these rates remain competitive. Alongside this, we also offer a wide range of benefits including holiday and sick pay, and employee discounts that offer savings at over 1,600 retailers.
Does McDonald's offer flexible working?
Enjoy the flexibility of our hybrid working model with 3 days in the office to foster collaborative team environment and 2 days remote to support work/ life balance.
What documents should I provide as proof of eligibility to work?
Before we can employ you, we are required to verify your eligibility to work in the UK & Ireland. You’ll need to provide acceptable original documents such as a valid passport or a valid UK/Ireland visa (with a college letter listing term dates, where applicable). Only original documents will be accepted.
How do I apply for a vacancy at McDonald’s head office?
Either click on the 'Job search' page or the ‘Job search’ button on the page of the vacancy you’re interested in. Then select the role that suits you, and complete an online application form.
How much holiday am I entitled to?
All full-time members of the Head Office team get 28 days paid holiday as well as bank holidays on top. For part-time workers, holiday will be determined on a pro-rata basis.
What do I wear in the office?
At our Head Office, we have a Dress for your Day Policy - the bottom line is that we want you to be empowered to make the decisions that meet the needs of your day.
I have a disability, what support can I get with my McDonald's job application?
During the application process, you can request for any reasonable adjustments to be made so you can find the right support needed during the application and onwards.
I want my pronouns to be known if I get this role, is this possible?
Yes. When you work in Head Office, you’ll receive a company email address and will easily be able to include your desired pronouns in the signature.
Can I get individual feedback on my application or interview?
Due to the high level of applications we receive not everyone will receive individual feedback. This depends on where you are in our process and this could potentially be written or over the phone.
Are there any wellbeing services I can access?
Yes! McDonald’s has a wellbeing hub on the staff website and our colleagues have access to the Employee Assistant Programme (EAP), which is run by AXA health care, offering a variety of services.
Is there opportunity for progression at McDonald’s?
Definitely. We highly value talent and always aim to encourage employees to remain within our business. To put it into perspective, half of our Executive Team started their career in restaurants. At McDonald’s, there are no limits to how far or fast you can progress.
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