MDS was formed in 1986, and is a unique
partnership of member companies, ranging
from SMEs to major multiples who are
growers, suppliers and retailers of vegetables,
salads, fruit, flowers, plants and meat
products. All of the companies are based in
the UK but many trade internationally.
All members are working together with a
common goal – to attract high-calibre recruits
with management potential into the fresh food
and produce industry.
MDS is NOT a recruitment agency; it is a
training organisation working on behalf of its
members to provide a well-proven two-year
training programme designed to cover every
stage of the supply chain.
What is MDS
looking for?
Graduates of any discipline – especially
land-based, food related, business,
management and life sciences.
People who are self starters,
highly-motivated and keen to succeed in
a fast moving commercial environment.
Long-term career interests within the
scope of management of fresh
produce.
Excellent interpersonal skills
and leadership potential.
Flexibility and mobility –
trainees do not choose
their secondments and
need to relocate every
six months.
What does MDS have
to offer?
An accredited, accelerated two-year management training
programme for graduates interested in a career in the fresh
MDS Graduate
Training Programme
(2 Year)
food, produce and horticulture industries.
The programme is accredited by Harper Adams University,
offering successful trainees a Postgraduate Certificate in Food
and Fresh Produce Management
Secondment
Programme
Trainee management positions in up to four different
companies, across the UK, with some overseas
opportunities.
Real job secondments which cover every stage of the
supply chain.
Formal training comprises of 26 days off-the-job training
over the 2 year period.
1
The training represents c.£7,000 per trainee.
st
Successful trainees gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Food
and Fresh Produce Management.
Seminar (2 days)
• Category management
• Food law
• Risk assessment
• Resolution of difficult situations
Competitive starting salary, increasing in Year 2.
Effective Management & Motivational Leadership
MDS staff visit regularly and are always available by
telephone or email to provide coaching, mentoring and
support.
(5 day course)
• Teamwork and leadership
• Self management
Each member company appoints a secondment manager to
coach and mentor on a day-to-day basis.
Network of trainee and former trainees, many of whom are
now in senior positions within the industry.
Excellent career prospects – 100% of MDS leavers move on
to management positions, with over 90% staying within
MDS member companies.
Employment opportunities are diverse, including
production, procurement, sales, marketing, operations,
technical, logistics, quality assurance, new product
development and agronomy.
Post MDS salary expectations over £25,000 per annum.
2nd
Seminar (2 days)
• Managing people
Challenging Existing Processes (5 day course)
• Challenging production processes
• Problem solving techniques
• Managing change
3rd
4th
Harper Post
Graduate
Certificate
Modules
Personal
Development
Planning
Work Based
Project (based
on 2nd or 3rd
secondment)
Challenging
Existing
Practice
Assignment
Seminar (2 days)
• Finance for managers – using financial information
as a decision tool
Managing a Business (5 day course)
• How to manage a business
• Integrating the different business functions
• Customer relationships
MDS giv
es a bre
adth
of exper
ience an
d
a wealth
of conta
cts
that hav
e been
invalua
ble in th
e
last few
years.
Training Programme
Induction (3 days)
Work Based Secondment
What is MDS?
Seminar (2 days)
• Negotiation skills
• Employment law
Graduate from MDS
Managing
a Business
Assignment
Future of the
Industry
Review Paper