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MDS (Management Development Services)
MDS is a specialist management training organisation representing almost 25 member companies in the fresh food and produce industry. As a consortium of like-minded companies, MDS works in the best interests of the industry, transforming university graduates into the managers of tomorrow through an accredited accelerated two-year training programme.
The program has recently been accredited by Harper Adams University College offering successful trainees a Post Graduate Certificate in Food and Fresh Produce Management.
What is MDS?
Management Development Services (MDS) is an independent organisation, set up in 1986 by a group of forward-thinking growers to address the shortage of skilled managers within their area of business. MDS offers accelerated management training to graduates from a variety of disciplines to become these much needed junior managers.
Today, MDS encompasses the whole supply chain of vegetables, salads, fruit, flowers and plants not only based in the UK but also for operations in many countries around the world.
MDS represents a consortium of 23 member companies comprising growers, suppliers and supermarkets including household names like G’s marketing and Sainsbury. Potential new members are showing an interest in what is now seen as a 'model' for specialist management training.
MDS is a non-profit making organisation whose aim is to recruit and train the very best people to secure the future of this fast-changing industry. Member companies contribute towards the salary and training costs of Management Trainees as well as providing work placements, known as 'secondments'.
The MDS training programme is a two-year, fast-track career path comprising practical 'real job' secondments combined with formal off-the-job training. MDS is not a recruitment agency.
It is a unique organisation run by member companies with a common goal - to attract high-calibre recruits with management potential into the fresh food and produce industry
Our programme provides personal and professional development opportunities for MDS Management Trainees, enabling member companies to fulfil their personnel needs to meet the demands of their business
Over 80 per cent our management training programme progress to a key position of responsibility within the membership, the remainder getting similar jobs within the industry.
Why Choose MDS?
ONE of the biggest advantages of the MDS programme is the opportunity to experience several different jobs at different companies, providing a wider understanding of the needs and challenges facing the fresh food and produce industry.
The membership includes growers, suppliers and retailers of vegetables, salads, fruit, flowers and plants. Most of the member companies have an annual turnover of between £5 - £100 million, while several are well in excess of this figure. Most have more than one site of operation in the UK, and some overseas.
The strength of the organisation comes from so many companies working together with one shared aim - to recruit and train the very best people for the industry. Under normal circumstances, these companies are competitors within the fresh food and produce industry, but they have recognised the value of co-operation, pooling their resources to produce a first-class graduate training programme for mutual benefit.
The programme also helps trainees identify their own strengths and weaknesses, and special areas of interest which they may wish to focus on later.
More about the training
FORMAL off-the-job training is linked to day-to-day business needs and is an integral part of the two-year MDS programme.
Areas covered are topical and relevant and include communication skills, leadership, team building, financial awareness, process analysis, problem solving, negotiation skills and employment law. Spread over 25 days, these courses are structured to complement the secondments and provide trainees with skills, knowledge and techniques that can be applied back in the workplace. It is a comprehensive and well-designed programme.
What is MDS looking for?
• Graduates of any discipline, and especially land-based, food related, business, management, life sciences and languages
• People who are self-starters, highly-motivated and keen to succeed in a fast-moving commercial environment
• People keen to develop a long-term career within the management of fresh produce
• Excellent inter-personal skills and leadership potential
• Flexibility and mobility; trainees do not choose their secondments and need to re-locate every six months
MDS is a specialist management training organisation representing almost 25 member companies in the fresh food and produce industry. As a consortium of like-minded companies, MDS works in the best interests of the industry, transforming university graduates into the managers of tomorrow through an accredited accelerated two-year training programme.
The program has recently been accredited by Harper Adams University College offering successful trainees a Post Graduate Certificate in Food and Fresh Produce Management.
What is MDS?
Management Development Services (MDS) is an independent organisation, set up in 1986 by a group of forward-thinking growers to address the shortage of skilled managers within their area of business. MDS offers accelerated management training to graduates from a variety of disciplines to become these much needed junior managers.
Today, MDS encompasses the whole supply chain of vegetables, salads, fruit, flowers and plants not only based in the UK but also for operations in many countries around the world.
MDS represents a consortium of 23 member companies comprising growers, suppliers and supermarkets including household names like G’s marketing and Sainsbury. Potential new members are showing an interest in what is now seen as a 'model' for specialist management training.
MDS is a non-profit making organisation whose aim is to recruit and train the very best people to secure the future of this fast-changing industry. Member companies contribute towards the salary and training costs of Management Trainees as well as providing work placements, known as 'secondments'.
The MDS training programme is a two-year, fast-track career path comprising practical 'real job' secondments combined with formal off-the-job training. MDS is not a recruitment agency.
It is a unique organisation run by member companies with a common goal - to attract high-calibre recruits with management potential into the fresh food and produce industry
Our programme provides personal and professional development opportunities for MDS Management Trainees, enabling member companies to fulfil their personnel needs to meet the demands of their business
Over 80 per cent our management training programme progress to a key position of responsibility within the membership, the remainder getting similar jobs within the industry.
Why Choose MDS?
ONE of the biggest advantages of the MDS programme is the opportunity to experience several different jobs at different companies, providing a wider understanding of the needs and challenges facing the fresh food and produce industry.
The membership includes growers, suppliers and retailers of vegetables, salads, fruit, flowers and plants. Most of the member companies have an annual turnover of between £5 - £100 million, while several are well in excess of this figure. Most have more than one site of operation in the UK, and some overseas.
The strength of the organisation comes from so many companies working together with one shared aim - to recruit and train the very best people for the industry. Under normal circumstances, these companies are competitors within the fresh food and produce industry, but they have recognised the value of co-operation, pooling their resources to produce a first-class graduate training programme for mutual benefit.
- Junior management positions in up to four different companies, with some overseas opportunities
- Intensive two-year programme sees trainees complete four six-month secondments to gain broad experience and develop a wide range of essential skills
- Comprehensive accredited classroom learning and professional management qualifications
- Salary starts at £19,500 rising to £20,2500 in year two.
- Full coaching, mentoring and support
- Excellent career prospects
- We offer flexible start dates with at least two intakes a year.
- Applications are considered throughout the year and it is sometimes possible to defer entry if you are thinking of taking a break after university.
The programme also helps trainees identify their own strengths and weaknesses, and special areas of interest which they may wish to focus on later.
More about the training
FORMAL off-the-job training is linked to day-to-day business needs and is an integral part of the two-year MDS programme.
Areas covered are topical and relevant and include communication skills, leadership, team building, financial awareness, process analysis, problem solving, negotiation skills and employment law. Spread over 25 days, these courses are structured to complement the secondments and provide trainees with skills, knowledge and techniques that can be applied back in the workplace. It is a comprehensive and well-designed programme.
What is MDS looking for?
• Graduates of any discipline, and especially land-based, food related, business, management, life sciences and languages
• People who are self-starters, highly-motivated and keen to succeed in a fast-moving commercial environment
• People keen to develop a long-term career within the management of fresh produce
• Excellent inter-personal skills and leadership potential
• Flexibility and mobility; trainees do not choose their secondments and need to re-locate every six months