If you have just submitted your application, congratulations! you are one step closer to joining the awesome team here at ABF. If you are still yet to apply, this page will help give you an overview of the different schemes, the application process and some hints and tips on how to navigate the various stages.

Before Applying:

Before you begin, make sure you’ve done your research on Associated British Foods and our businesses to understand what you’re applying for. Don’t wait until you have an interview to find out! It’s always good to come with an understanding of how our businesses and your relevant function works. Applications are dealt with on a first come first served basis so don’t delay in getting your application in!

You must have permanent and unrestricted right to work in the UK. Your application will not be progressed if you do not have this. Our schemes have degree grade requirements, see below for the details of each scheme.

Stage 1: The Application Form

The first thing you must do is complete an online application form, which you can access through our 'Apply Now' button on the 'Our Schemes' pages. Take your time and make sure you answer both questions! Don’t worry if you do not have any corporate experience, we are only looking for evidence that you have the motivations and competencies we’re looking for. Remember to proof read your answers and use spell check! Make sure you submit your application as per the instructions on the form and that you do so before the closing date.

Your form will be evaluated by a trained assessor within two weeks of its submission and if successful, you’ll go onto the next stage of the recruitment process.

Stage 2: The Online Tests

Once you've submitted your application form you will receive an email with a link to complete a short online general reasoning test to help us understand your learning ability. These are necessary to complete so that we know that you are comfortable with numbers. For candidates that have special requirements please let us know in advance and we will be able to accommodate where necessary.

Stage 3: The Video Interview

The next stage of the process is a video interview. This gives us the opportunity to get to know you a bit more, understand why you want to join the ABF graduate scheme and what experiences you can bring. The interview is not very long, it will comprise of five competency-based questions with some thinking-time in between. We understand that recording yourself in front of a camera might feel a bit uncomfortable, so make sure you take your time, look directly into the camera when speaking and smile!

Stage 4: The Assessment Centre

All our assessment centres are held at one of our sites across the UK. You will be invited to an evening meal beforehand to get to know some of the assessors and meet some of our current graduates. The purpose of the meal the night before is to give you the opportunity to ask questions and get to know us outside of the office environment. Hopefully it will help calm your nerves as well! Please note, for Supply Chain and Engineering you will be invited to attend a tour of a factory the afternoon before the assessment centre.

The following day you will be taken to one of our sites to complete the assessment day. This will consist of the following:

• A Group exercise
• An Individual competency-based interview
• Situational Judgement exercises
• A Presentation exercise

  Some of these exercises are designed around a business-specific case study, which will allow us to assess your potential whilst at the same time giving you some insight into the type of work you will do at ABF. You don’t need to have in-depth business knowledge to tackle this; instead you should use your ability to think logically and laterally, alongside your life experiences and interpersonal skills.

We will let you know the outcome of the assessment day within 24 hours and also give you feedback on how you did during the day. Make sure you give yourself some time to reflect after the assessment day and take a well-deserved rest – you earned it! If successful, your future line manager will be in touch ahead of your start date to answer any questions you might have, and you may get to visit the operating business for a tour of the site and to meet the team prior to starting. We will also give you the opportunity to meet your incoming peers and some older graduates at a BBQ in the summer before you start.

Good luck!

Specific Scheme Requirements

Marketing, HR and Customer Development: You must have achieved or be predicted a 2:1 degree. We welcome applications from all degree disciplines for these schemes. You must be mobile and willing to relocate for the duration of the scheme.

Supply Chain and Procurement: You must have achieved or be predicted a 2:2 degree. We welcome applications from all degree disciplines for this scheme. You must be mobile and willing to relocate for the duration of the scheme, and willing to work shifts.

Engineering: You must have an Electrical, Chemical or Mechanical Engineering degree. You must have achieved or be predicted a 2:2 degree. You must be mobile and willing to relocate for the duration of the scheme.

Technical: You must have a Food Science, Food Nutrition, or science degree with a demonstrable interest in food. You must have achieved or be predicted a 2:2 degree. You must be mobile and willing to relocate for the duration of the scheme.