Operations Graduate Programme - Supply chain & Procurement 2026

Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement; Northern Ireland; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global drinks company is offering an Operations Graduate Programme across the UK and Ireland. This 3-year rotational programme provides hands-on experience in production and supply chain, aiming to develop leadership skills in dynamic roles. Graduates with relevant degrees are encouraged to apply for this unique opportunity that offers a competitive salary starting around £38,000 and others benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual bonus opportunity

Industry leading benefits package

Qualifications

• Graduating in 2026 or graduated within the last 2 years.
• Proficient in English.
• Mobile and prepared to relocate geographically during the programme.

Responsibilities

• Work in a rotational programme focusing on operations.
• Engage in roles such as Process Improvement Lead and Continuous Improvement Specialist.
• Manage teams against business goals in the final year.

Skills

Problem solving

Adaptability

Communication

Leadership

Continuous improvement

Education

Degree in Operations Management, Business or STEM fields

Job description

European Graduate Programme

Function: Operations - Supply Chain & Procurement

Location: Scotland, Leven (Fife) Shieldhall (Glasgow) Ireland, St James Gate (Dublin)

Start Date: 1st September 2026

Closing Date: 10th November 2025

Who We are?

With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, we're the world's leading premium drinks company. Bring your passion and use your curiosity as you explore, collaborate, and innovate to build brands consumers love. Together with passionate people from all over the world, you'll test new ideas, learn and grow, and unlock a brighter, more exciting future.

Join us to create a career worth celebrating.

Our Programme

Our graduate programmes put you at the heart of a global business, with hands-on experience and tailored learning for curious, driven minds. Start your journey to a career you'll be proud of today.

This is a site-based programme located within our iconic production, brewing, and distilling environments across the UK and Ireland. You'll have the opportunity to work in some of the most renowned facilities in these regions. Possible locations for Year 1 rotations include Leven, Shieldhall and St James Gate.

Are you ready to dive into the heart of our operations and make a tangible impact on how our world-class products are crafted? As part of Diageo's Operations Graduate Programme, you'll be at the forefront of ensuring our products meet the highest standards while optimising efficiency. This is your chance to build leadership skills from the engine room of our business. Throughout the 3-year rotational programme, graduates can expect to rotate through various roles to gain a comprehensive understanding of our manufacturing operation.

What to Expect:

Year 1: Introduction & Immersion

• Embark on your journey with a focus on continuous improvement. You'll rotate through roles such as Process Improvement Lead, Continuous Improvement Specialist, or Governance Improvement Lead. This year is all about understanding our operations and driving enhancements.

Year 2: Deep Dive into Production

• Gain in-depth exposure to a new category while developing your problem solving and coaching skills. Possible rotations include Deployment Manager, Digital Manufacturing Lead, and Site Governance Specialist. This year will deepen your expertise in production environments.

Year 3: People Management Focus

• Build upon your foundational knowledge by managing teams against business goals and objectives. Step into roles like Business Leader, Packaging Team Leader, or Site Operations Manager. This final year hones your leadership capabilities as you guide teams toward success.

Who are we looking for?

To thrive in this programme and function effectively within Diageo's operations, graduates should embody:

• Enjoy problem solving find innovative ways to address challenges and find effective solutions.
• Be adaptable and embrace change.
• Have a continuous improvement approach: always seek ways to enhance processes.
• Be obsessed with quality: maintain high standards in every task undertaken.
• Be proactive and take initiative
• Be a great communicator and show great leadership: Inspire & collaborate with others and lead by example.

Throughout this dynamic three-year rotational programme, you'll gain comprehensive insights into our manufacturing operations while developing essential skills that will propel your career forward.

On the qualification side, you need to have acquired or be expecting to obtain an academic degree. For the Operations Graduate Programme, we are particularly interested to hear from graduates with degrees in Operations Management, Business Related Degrees, any STEM subjects including Engineering, and Brewing & Distilling and expect to be graduating in 2026 or have graduated within the last 2 years. You must be proficient in English, and with opportunities across Europe you must be mobile and prepared to relocate geographically during the programme.

We're looking for curious, flexible, self-motivated team players who turn ideas into action-and who bring integrity, respect, and a passion for learning every day. As we shape the future of our Supply Chain & Procurement, we especially welcome applicants with a passion for data and analytics.

Most importantly be you. Bring your ideas, your ambition, and your unique talent. We'll celebrate it and empower you to reach your full potential.

To be eligible for our graduate programmes, all candidates must have the continuous right to work in (UK & IOI) and any offer of employment is conditional upon this requirement being satisfied. Diageo (UK & IOI) do not provide sponsorship to undergraduates and graduates trying to obtain the right to work in the UK.

What are the rewards?

With everything you can learn here, and the long-term opportunities we have to offer, the Operations Graduate Programme could just be the best decision you've ever made.

Join us and you can also expect to receive a highly competitive salary (salary is dependent on the location of your rotations, as an example your year one salary based within the UK will be in the region of £38,000), along with an annual bonus opportunity and industry leading benefits package.

Application details

We have graduate opportunities across the business, each open for a limited time. For your best chance of success, apply early, and focus on one programme that's right for you.

NB: Pymetrics is the first stage of the application process for all of our Early Career's programmes at Diageo and after completion your result will be used for all applications that require it within a one-year period.

Please note that our assessment centres this year will be held between November and February, so, you will hear from us closer to the time if you have successfully reached this final stage. We appreciate your patience.

Celebrating our inclusive and diverse culture is core to our purpose which values everybody irrespective of background, disability, religion, gender identity, sexuality or ethnicity. We know that for our business to thrive, we depend on having diverse talent with a range of backgrounds, skills and capabilities in each of the 180 countries in which we operate and to reflect our broad consumer base. We view diversity as one of the key enablers that helps our business to grow and our values, purpose and standards set the conditions for us to respect the unique contribution each person brings.

Join our Graduate programme and support us in delivering our Spirit of Progress Plan to help create a more inclusive and sustainable world!