Are you passionate about problem-solving? Excited about building a long-term career in engineering? And highly motivated to learn while earning?
If this sounds like you, our Engineering Apprenticeship could be the perfect opportunity!
Why Greencore?
Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, were one of the UKs leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make every day taste better.
As a vibrant and fast-moving business, were proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life. Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between. In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn.
Our extensive direct to store (DTS) network, with 17 depots across the UK, allows us to deliver fresh and frozen food both our own and from trusted partners to thousands of stores every day, ensuring consumers enjoy the very best, whenever and wherever they shop.
Here at Northampton, we operate one of the most impressive facilities in Europe, based across a campus of 5 manufacturing units, and we have a team of around 2,000 colleagues making high quality premium products every day. We are the sole supplier of sandwiches, wraps, rolls and sushi for Marks & Spencer.
The food industry is an exhilarating place to be an engineer! We use some of the most innovative, modern and technically automated equipment available to manufacture a wide range of food products for our customers.
What youll be doing
Our 4‑year Engineering Apprenticeship, delivered with MGTS, leads to a Level 3 Food and Drink Maintenance Engineering qualification. Youll gain practical experience in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment while developing the technical skills and behaviours needed for a successful engineering career in the food industry.
Based at our Northampton site, youll work flexibly in a 24/7 operation, which may include early starts, night shifts, and weekends.
By the end of the programme, youll be able to:
Maintain and optimise production machinery
Carry out planned and reactive maintenance
Support changeovers and equipment set‑ups
Drive improvements through audits and performance reviews
Uphold health, safety, food safety and engineering standards
Your Learning Journey
Youll attend 15 three‑week study blocks at MGTS in Redditch (mainly in years 1 and 2), gaining hands‑on training before applying your learning on site.
A driving licence and car are highly beneficial.
Overnight stays are required if you cant commute to Redditch. (Accommodation cannot be provided for those under 18 due to safeguarding policies.)
What youll get
Starting salary: £25,700
Travel and accommodation covered during study blocks
Free wellbeing benefits (Virtual GP, health check, mental health and nutrition support, adult care helpline, onsite physio)
Coaching, mentoring and Early Careers learning events
A nationally recognised engineering qualification
Time to complete apprenticeship learning
Pension up to 8% matched
Holiday buying scheme
Company share‑save scheme
Exclusive employee discounts What were looking for
You should be passionate about engineering, food, and working with people. Youll also be:
Motivated, curious, organised, and a strong communicator
Confident, pragmatic, and proud of your work
Skilled at problem‑solving with strong attention to detail
Able to manage time effectively and work accurately
Eligibility:
GCSE Grade 5/C in Maths and English (or equivalent)
Strong IT skills
Right to live and work in the UK for the full duration
Applicants with engineering experience or Level 3+ engineering qualifications may not be eligible
What happens next?
Applications close 4 March 2026 (may close early if volumes are high).
If successful at telephone screening, youll be invited to a Virtual Assessment Centre (8-17 April 2026).
We work with MGTS during screening, so some personal information will be shared with them.
Successful candidates will attend a second‑stage, face‑to‑face assessment at a Greencore site.
Induction and apprenticeship enrolment take place August-September 2026