Greencore is hiring graduates for a finance programme that rotates through three finance jobs, supports CIMA study, and pays £31,000 plus a £1,000 welcome bonus. Applications close on 1 December, but Greencore may close the advert early, so apply early.
Greencore is one of the UK’s largest makers of convenience food, supplying major retailers and foodservice providers. As a finance graduate, you will see how money moves through a large food business.
At a glance
| Organisation | Greencore |
| Programme | Finance Graduate Programme, structured around the CIMA qualification |
| Location | UK — site to be confirmed; could be London, Lincolnshire, the South-West, Northampton or Worksop |
| Start | September |
| Salary | £31,000, plus £1,000 bonus once settled; London uplift |
| Contract | Fixed term; Greencore will make every effort to find successful graduates a permanent role afterwards |
| Working pattern | Site-based, full-time |
| Deadline | 1 December (early closure possible) |
| Assessment centre | 18 February at Greencore’s Newark site |
Three placements, three kinds of finance work
The programme has three placements in Management Accounting, Financial Accounting and Advanced Management Accounting. Management accounting looks forward, helping managers plan budgets and understand costs. Financial accounting records what has actually happened, accurately and on time, while advanced management accounting uses deeper analysis for bigger decisions.
Alongside these placements, you will gain experience in financial management, risk management and process improvement. Risk management means spotting what could go wrong financially and reducing that danger. The first placement lasts 18 months, followed by two 12-month placements at any Greencore UK site.
What the pay and benefits actually mean
A £31,000 starting salary is solid for a graduate outside London, and the £1,000 welcome bonus, paid once you are settled, gives a small early boost. London-based employees receive an extra uplift, but the amount is not stated, so do not guess at it when planning your budget. The package also includes relocation financial assistance, a pension scheme and a scheme to buy extra holiday.
Relocation help matters more here because you will move between sites, but Greencore does not state the amount, so ask about it rather than treating it as a fixed sum. Take the pension seriously too: early contributions have many years to grow.
Read this before you apply: the right-to-work wording needs checking
This is the most important warning in this article. The official job description lists work eligibility as the right to work in the UK for a minimum of three years from September 2025, and the same wording appears on the application listing. That date looks out of date, because the programme starts in September, two years later.
Because of that inconsistency, this article does not present that wording as a settled requirement. If you are unsure whether you meet it, ask Greencore before investing hours in the process. The official description also does not mention visa sponsorship, so sponsorship is not specified on the official page and should not be assumed.
Are you the right fit? A quick self-check
You are a strong fit if you:
- Have achieved, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:2 honours degree in any subject — your degree does not have to be in finance or accounting.
- Have at least three months of relevant work experience, such as a placement, an internship, or a role handling money, data or reporting.
- Are interested in the food industry and working with different teams, since the role stresses partnership working and stakeholder relationships.
- Are willing to move between UK sites during the programme, even though Greencore says it will consider your location preferences.
Pause if you cannot move location, because flexibility is described as crucial and placements may be at any UK site. Pause too if you lack three months of relevant experience, as that is likely to be checked at the first screening stage. A CIMA-structured programme also suits people who enjoy study alongside work.
How selection works, and how to prepare
Once you apply online, Greencore checks that you meet the required criteria. Candidates who pass move on to an automated online video interview and online aptitude testing. These tests usually check number skills, logical thinking and attention to detail, so practise with sample numerical tests beforehand.
Candidates who pass are invited to a final in-person assessment day, scheduled for 18 February at Greencore’s Newark site. Assessment days often include group tasks, interviews and practical exercises, so prepare examples of teamwork and careful handling of data. Greencore also promises a programme champion, a mentor, regular manager reviews, and a cohort of up to 20 other graduates.
How to apply
Apply through the official application page linked below, and check every detail before you submit, especially your degree result, work experience dates and right-to-work position. Write in simple, honest language, and give real examples for your interest in food manufacturing and finance. Apply well before 1 December, because early closure is possible.
Greencore states that it never charges candidates any fees at any stage, so treat any payment request linked to this opportunity as fraudulent. For similar openings, see the Tesco Retail Graduate Scheme, the Rothesay Macro Risk Graduate Programme and the Hilton Finesse Finance Graduate Programme.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How long does the programme last, and where will I be based?
A: An 18-month first placement is followed by two 12-month placements, which may be at any Greencore UK site. The starting site is to be confirmed.
Q: Is visa sponsorship available?
A: Not specified on the official page. The description does not mention visa sponsorship, so do not assume it is available; confirm eligibility with Greencore first.
Q: When is the deadline, and can it change?
A: The closing date is 1 December, but Greencore reserves the right to close the advertisement before that date, so early application is advised.
This programme suits a graduate who wants a recognised accounting qualification, is happy to move around the UK, and is ready for three finance roles. If that sounds like you, and you have checked the right-to-work question, apply early.
