Graduate - HR (Supply Chain)

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Date: 22 May 2026

Location: Barnsley, GB

Company: Premier Foods

Based - Carlton or Ashford (site based HR Graduate role)

Permanent, Full Time

Join Premier Foods — where people, brands and purpose come together.

We’re proud to be one of the UK’s largest listed food businesses, with over 4,000 colleagues across 13 sites shaping the future of some of Britain’s best‑loved brands, found in 94% of households nationwide, making us one of the UK’s top three ambient food suppliers. From much‑loved household names such as Mr Kipling, Bisto, Oxo, Batchelors and Sharwoods, to our recently welcomed brands Fuel10k and Merchant Gourmet, our portfolio is packed with iconic favourites — and continues to grow.

Premier Foods Manufacturing Operations and Supply Chain Human Resources Graduate Scheme 2026 

 

This programme offers opportunities across our UK sites, providing valuable exposure to different business areas and requiring flexibility to travel and relocate.

 

Join our Human Resources Supply Chain Graduate Scheme (site based) and play a pivotal role in supporting our people agenda while developing into a future HR leader within Premier Foods.

 

You will begin with a corporate induction alongside the wider graduate cohort before moving into a structured development journey, experiencing hands-on HR generalist activity in a fast-paced FMCG environment based at either our Carlton bakery site in Barnsley, the home of Mr Kipling, or our Ashford grocery site in Kent.

 

Starting point - Corporate Induction, Head Office & a Manufacturing location (2 weeks): 

  • To gain a broad overview of our company structure; commercial/ finance and procurement functions including introduction to our Brands and Values 

  • To complete legal training and cover compliance requirements around IT; HR and people policies. 

  • Insight into our manufacturing sites and how HR supports operational success

 

Placement one and two (9 months each)

During the programme, you’ll work closely with HR Business Partners and site leadership teams, building capability across a breadth of generalist HR activities. You will:

  • Be a trusted partner to managers, supporting them with practical HR advice and helping them bring out the best in their teams
  • Gain hands-on experience in Employee Relations, learning how to confidently navigate real-life workplace scenarios
  • Build strong relationships across the business, coaching and developing managers to grow their people capability
  • Get involved in exciting change and improvement projects that shape how we work and evolve as a business
  • Play a key role in delivering people plans that truly make a difference at site level
  • Champion health, wellbeing and positive attendance, supporting a thriving workplace culture
  • Work alongside employee representatives and trade unions, building strong, collaborative relationships
  • Bring colleague engagement to life by driving meaningful initiatives and actions from feedback
  • Support and deliver engaging training sessions for our people leaders
  • Contribute to projects that continuously improve how HR supports the business
  • Use data and insights to spot trends, influence decisions and help drive performance

 

What will we expect from you? 

  • To take ownership for your own learning and show commitment to the scheme and to the role you perform 

  • Team player – we are all in it together here at Premier Foods 

  • Our graduates play a role in supporting our ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategy, primarily around being charity/volunteering champions 

 

Do you offer…? 

  • An HR degree or Masters or working towards or have achieved a CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent)
  • The permanent right to work in the UK (with no visa restrictions) 
  • Geographical mobility in the UK
  • Be confident working in a data-driven environment
  • Be a strong communicator, able to influence and build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
  • Be highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting
  • Demonstrate confidence, resilience and the ability to motivate others
  • Have strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

 

 The package and benefits… 

  • Starting salary of £30,000 per annum 

  • Attractive benefits package including: 25 days holiday plus statutory holidays, pension scheme, life assurance, Sharesave Scheme, employee discount scheme including travel, food and shopping discounts. 

  • Relocation support loan 

  • Holiday purchase scheme 

  • Sharesave scheme 

  • A business mentor 

  • Employee assistance scheme 

  • More than 10 days of off-job development workshops covering such topics as communication, presentation and influencing skills 

 

At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.

We're proud to be a Disability Smart employer and are committed to supporting disability inclusion throughout our recruitment process. If you experience any access issues or require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know so we can ensure you have the support you need.