Operations Apprentice

Operations Apprentice (Buxton, DB, GB, SK17 6AQ) Start date: Wednesday 2nd September 2026  Scheme duration: 2.5 years   Salary: Site specific  Location: Buxton Factory Work Pattern: Full time, factory based (shifts will vary dependant on site location)  What will you do?  Join Nestlé as an Operations Apprentice and start a rewarding career in manufacturing with fantastic growth opportunities. As the largest food and drink manufacturer in the world, we are a hub of expertise in the industry, and we’re committed to helping you build a solid foundation for a successful career.  Over the course of two and a half years, you will receive comprehensive training from dedicated mentors who will guide you in supporting food and drink production in our state-of-the-art factories. You will gain hands-on experience in operating machinery, utilising advanced automation technology and diagnosing and solving production issues, ensuring our manufacturing processes run smoothly.  Step into our vibrant, multi-sensory factory environment, where you will contribute to innovation and creativity every day. With support at every step, you will gain confidence to excel. Join our team and start your journey in the exciting world of manufacturing  What makes this role exciting?  Hands-on manufacturing experience: You’ll take on genuine responsibilities that directly contribute to the efficiency and productivity of our manufacturing processes at Nestlé, allowing you to see the results of your efforts firsthand.  Diverse operational exposure: With varied roles across different aspects of manufacturing operations each day will present new challenges, enabling you to develop a comprehensive understanding of production processes, quality control, and equipment operation.  Mentorship opportunities: You’ll benefit from the wealth of knowledge within our experienced operations team, fuelling your personal and professional growth through guidance from skilled mentors.  Collaborative networking: The rotational nature of our scheme provides valuable exposure to leaders in manufacturing, helping you cultivate a broad understanding of operational functions. You’ll also begin to build a lasting, supportive network within our operations team and beyond.  Career advancement: With a real commitment to your future, we will support your development throughout the scheme, backed by our extensive manufacturing resources and expertise.  What will you learn?  Operational excellence: Navigate the complexities of a fast-paced manufacturing environment, where your decisions will impact production efficiency and product quality.  Innovative problem-solving: Leverage the skills you develop during the scheme to address real-time challenges in manufacturing processes. Identify opportunities and implement creative solutions for sustainable operational success.  Agility and adaptability: Embrace the challenge of collaborating with diverse teams and adapting to various manufacturing strategies as you rotate through different roles.  Effective team engagement: Balance the needs of various cross-functional teams, enhancing your interpersonal skills and building your unique professional brand within the manufacturing landscape.  Continuous industry insight: Gain firsthand experience of emerging trends and external factors that influence manufacturing operations, deepening your understanding of the ever-evolving industrial landscape.  You’ll experience student life at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing, part of University of Lincoln, which typically involve week-long learning blocks. You can understand more about what you will learn on your apprenticeship journey by clicking on the link below to look at the apprenticeship standard:     Food and drink technical operator / Skills England   This is the current apprenticeship programme but could be subject to change by Skills England ahead of your 2026 start date.  Our commitment to you…  We will support you every step of the way, the following are just some of our offerings to enable you to thrive with us:  Inclusive culture, join our variety of employee run networks  Comprehensive benefits  Pastoral support  Employee Assistance Programme  Potential relocation support (£2,000)  Prayer rooms  Various rewards and recognition opportunities  *Availability dependent upon site  Eligibility requirements  You will need to have the right to work in the UK that is not time-limited and does not require sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route either at the start of the scheme or on completion.    You will have lived in the UK for 3 years prior to the start date of this apprenticeship scheme.  Maths and English Language GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 9-4 (A*-C if taken before 2017). Original certificates will need to be provided.  You will need to be 18 by 1st September 2026.  The recruitment journey  After you click “apply” you’ll be prompted to answer a few questions to determine your eligibility for the scheme. If you qualify, we will invite you to complete an online assessment, which you can practice