Placement Programme
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Placement Programme
We are passionate about developing young talent and providing opportunities to the leaders of tomorrow. A university placement is a fantastic way of combining learning with on-the-job training, developing vital skills and experience while playing a key role in feeding the nation with delicious food that’s good for people and planet.
Our placement programme gives you the chance to simultaneously step into the workplace, earn a competitive salary and achieve a valuable qualification. It provides the foundations for your future career – and the opportunity to progress into a full-time role upon completion of the course.
Finnebrogue is the leading artisan food producer in the UK. We combine ground-breaking innovation, advanced high-speed production methods and artisanal values to produce fantastic food from our base in County Down – and our rapid growth means there are opportunities aplenty for hard-working and hungry candidates keen to succeed.
For more information, please email jobs@finnebrogue.com with ‘Placement’ clearly marked in the subject line.
Ross Murray takes us through his experience as a university placement student within our finance team.
Amy Irvine explains her role as a university placement student working as a quality auditor on the technical team.
Describe a typical day as a Finnebrogue placement student/ intern?
Finnebrogue Artisan is such a fast-paced innovative environment therefore, no working day is the same. However, my main tasks include. Carefully following and preparing recipes according to a range of vegan meat-free products. In doing this, it is essential that I take into consideration both the nutritional requirements and target costs in order to meet consumer demand. Also, I have the task of performing daily taste panels for members of staff. This allows me to gain constructive feedback regarding the products characteristics such as visual, taste and texture. As a result, amendments can be made if necessary.
What would you like to get out of your placement at Finnebrogue?
During my placement year, I hope to develop and improve upon my cognitive and transferable skills including communication, problem solving and organisation. Additionally, I would love to learn about the stage gate process of a product from concept to launch in the retail market. This includes, communicating to the various departments within Finnebrogue and gaining knowledge about their role and how they contribute to this process.
What’s your favourite food?
I couldn’t pick just one meal as I love anything Italian.
What’s your secret party trick?
Apart from being able to touch my nose with my tongue, I love to sing. Although, it is mainly in the car.
If money were no object and you were guaranteed to be successful, what job would you do as a career?
I think I would become an entrepreneur and open my own bakery.
If you could meet and have dinner with any person who ever lived, who would it be and why? What would you ask that person?
I would have to say Jennifer Anniston. Growing up I have always loved her movies and also, I am a huge fan of Friends. The question would be “Out of all the movies and tv shows you have done which one do you like the least?
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Outside of work I love to travel. My favourite place I have visited so far is New York, although next on my bucket list is Australia and New Zealand. Hopefully one day I’ll see the world.
Describe Finnebrogue in 3 words?
Innovative, dynamic and collaborative
Describe a typical day as a Finnebrogue placement student/intern?
My placement is unique in that it’s across two companies – Finnebrogue Artisan and Foundation Earth.
On the Finnebrogue side, I help out with the sustainability working group, researching potential projects to help the company become more sustainable. This includes improving biodiversity on site, and looking at water management. We are also in the process of establishing The Quoile Rivers Trust, to help improve the river, which helps maintain our impact on water.
Foundation Earth is a new non-profit organisation looking to better inform consumers on how to make sustainable food choices. It was the brainchild for the late Finnebrogue founder, Denis Lynn and is very exciting as I’m getting to experience the start-up of a new business that has the potential to change the world by educating customers on the impact their food is having on the environment.
Each day I take part in meetings, record notes and actions and manage the Customer Relationship Management system (CRM). I also get to carry out research on new leads to help grow Foundation Earth.
What would you like to get out of your placement at Finnebrogue?
I would like the sustainability projects I am contributing to, to be achieved, and make a difference. The Rivers Trust project is really exciting and would be cool to see that implemented by the end of my placement.
What made you pick Finnebrogue for your placement?
I really liked the fact that Finnebrogue is a local company. It makes me feel like all the actions I am working on are making a difference. It’s a close team and you find yourself getting involved with people from all parts of the company, from engineering to marketing. It’s great getting experience from different people and departments.
Describe Finnebrogue in three words?
Friendly, fun and food (lol)
If money were no object and you were guaranteed to be successful, what job would you do as a career?
I always wanted to study marine biology in different places around the world.
If you could meet and have dinner with any person who ever lived, who would it be, why and what would you like to ask them?
Sounding so cliché, David Attenborough just to hear all of his stories.
