Higher Level Apprenticeship - Food & Drink Manufacturing
Location : Ballymena and Cookstown
Job Ref: UDF/2026/683
Employment : Full-Time Permanent
Closing Date : 25 June 2026 05:00 pm
Dale Farm Cooperative is a UK dairy farmer co-operative owned by over 1200 dairy farmers who supply us with fresh milk. Dale Farm has operations throughout the UK and Ireland producing and distributing a wide range of dairy products which it sells across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to over 45 countries worldwide.
At Dale Farm virtually every career discipline is represented in our workforce, from production, engineering and distribution, to sales & marketing and food technology/quality assurance, to Finance, HR and IT through to general management. Our standards are high and when we recruit we are looking for those with energy and drive, who are keen for responsibility and motivated to succeed with a record of achievement and with the potential to develop as the company grows.
Culture
Our culture is based on setting best in class standards, working to-wards and delivering on committed objectives, striving for constant improvement and involving everyone in the company. We strive to develop our people and harness everyone's contribution to deliver a winning team.
Equal Opportunities
The company is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to a safe, inclusive and relationship based workspace.
Benefits
In return, we offer a high degree of responsibility, plenty of challenge, good opportunities for learning and personal development and rewarding benefit packages, all within a fast moving and results oriented environment.
Not sure University is right for you?
How about a career in Northern Ireland’s largest industry?
We have unique new opportunities for candidates with an appetite to work in the fast-paced environment of Food Manufacturing. Our Higher-Level Apprenticeship programme provides a defined career pathway to fast-track management positions within our production sites.
The 3-year training programme will provide you with:
- Industry expert training
- Mentor support on site
- Site & Departmental Rotation
- A Higher-Level Apprenticeship equivalent to a Foundation Degree in Food Manufacture
- Guaranteed role post qualification
On completion of the Higher-Level Apprentice programme there also is the opportunity to complete a Degree in Food and Drink Manufacture
We are looking for candidates who are ambitious and who will take a proactive and positive approach to work, and who can demonstrate reliability and willingness to work flexible work patterns. The successful candidates will also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. This is a rotational higher level apprenticeship programme, meaning successful candidates will rotate across all of our manufacturing sites approximately every 6 months, allowing for an in-depth knowledge of the dairy industry to be gained.
Applicants must have obtained or be expecting to achieve by August 2026 at least 3 A Levels Grades A-C or equivalent.
These roles offer:
- An attractive salary package.
- Pension and life assurance.
- Excellent opportunities for personal development and further career advancement.
To learn more about the company and to apply online click the apply button below!
Applications must be received by 5.00pm on 25th June 2026
