Employers Directory

Overview

Food is not only big business.....it is the biggest industry in the UK.

The meat industry has changed dramatically and is one of the most sophisticated of the food sectors. ABP is a market leader of quality meat products. Through our fresh and frozen divisions we are a preferred supplier to major retailers and food service companies in the UK.

Our 2009 Graduate Management scheme is looking for talented graduates to develop into outstanding managers within ABP.

Who are we?

As the UK's leading and largest meat processing company with a turnover approaching £400million, ABP continues to invest, recently committing £60m in new plants, technology, and equipment to satisfy the demands of the modern retailer. As a result our Graduate Scheme has created an excellent platform of promotion opportunities for our would-be Business Managers and a fast track for Graduates to move into positions of responsibility.

Career Opportunities

ABP's training programme will equip you with the business and management skills required to enhance your prospects for rapid career progression. We invest time and money in our graduates, as we believe they are the business leaders of the future.

The areas you will be involved in include:

Production - making effective use of materials, machinery and people to produce the best possible products at the lowest cost and on time.

Technical/research and development - analysing and compiling nutritional tables making sure food production legislation issues are met and identifying areas for new product development.

Sales and Marketing - Sales analysis and market research on consumer tastes and trends and liasing directly with the key clients in retail and food service.

Finance - Business analysis, evaluating investments, predicting costs, analysing trends, making financial projections, plus accounting and managing day-to-day cash flow.

Engineering - working closely with food development departments on new products and consider how new products can be produced technologically.

Distribution and logistics - Making sure our product reaches the customer at the right time and the lowest cost by managing people, transport and warehousing.

Training and Development

The Graduate management programme successfully provides our graduates with an excellent understanding and exposure to our fast moving and demanding business. This scheme has created some outstanding managers within our business to date and we look to continue this success.

What we look for

Degree required:

• Agriculture & Forestry
• Biochemistry / Biophysics / Biotechnology
• Business & Management
• Engineering - Mechanical & Production
• Food Science / Technology & Nutrition

Case Studies

Mark Homer
UWE Bristol
International business economics - 2002

I co-ordinate production planning, stocks and sales for the site. The job involves balancing retail customer's orders against the production of the site to ensure we supply to the levels that are required. I also sell product to manufacturing and wholesale customers negotiating prices and volumes.

The most appealing aspect of the ABP business is the opportunity to move on quickly from the graduate scheme even if relativly new to the industry to a position of seniority in a short space of time. The company clearly invests a great deal in the scheme and gives you the time to study the business without the pressure to provide results straight away. The emphasis on training is also a positive aspect to the business, I am constantly being sent on relevant courses which i can see as a great aide to my future performance.


Siobhan Houldershaw
University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
Agriculture and animal science - 2000

ABP has a reputation for developing people within their business at numerous sites in many locations throughout the uk and ireland. This means that relocation is an option combined with the attraction of learning all areas of their business.

My current role is technical manager at ABP retail producing upto 100 tonnes of retail packed products per week., my respnsibilties include food safety, legality and quality. Hygiene. Resource management of operatives in safe, hygienic food production practices.

What we offer

Excellent Salary and benefits package available