Graduate Programme 2026

Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society Limited (The Group) is the second largest dairy processor on the island of Ireland. The business is complex and ambitious with a milk supply pool of 2 billion litres of milk, drawn from over 3,200 family farms across 16 counties, and annual revenues of almost €2 billion in 2022.

With the most modern dairy manufacturing facilities in 8 locations on a cross-border basis, the Group supplies to a broad customer base including some of the world’s foremost ‘blue chip’ companies across the dairy food ingredients, foodservice and consumer food channels on a domestic Ireland, UK, European and global basis. Internationally we export some 240 different products to over 100 countries worldwide.

The Group’s Agribusiness Division (Lakeland Agri) operates a state-of-the-art Animal Feed Manufacturing Facility and is a leading and innovative provider of the highest quality feeds and agricultural inputs to dairy, beef and sheep farmers across the north and south of Ireland.

2026 Graduate Programme:

We’re seeking passionate, ambitious and motivated graduates to join our Lakeland Dairies Graduate Programme – a 2-year structured rotational programme designed to accelerate your development and set you up for long term success.

Why Lakeland Dairies?

We’re fuelled by ambition to be the dairy co-operative of choice for customers, providing the highest quality dairy nutrition and to be your employer of choice to grow your career.

When you join the Lakeland Dairies team, you become part of a purpose-driven organisation made up of passionate, high-performing individuals who are ambitious, innovative, and deeply committed to sustainability. We take pride in the meaningful impact we make—together.

What is our Graduate Programme?

Our Graduate programme has an excellent track record of successfully nurturing talent, injecting new perspectives and innovative thinking into our organisation across a range of key business areas annually.

What’s in it for you?

• Structured learning and development
• Real responsibility from day 1
• One-to-One mentoring from experienced industry professionals
• An accredited professional qualification
• Participation in diverse projects and real business projects
• Competitive salary package with excellent benefits
• Networking and team building opportunities

Commencing in September 2026, our two-year Graduate Programme is designed to enhance your development through structured job rotations. You'll gain a broad range of essential skills and hands-on experience across key areas of the business—setting you up for long-term success and growth

For 2026 intake we are seeking graduates to join us in…

• Sales & Marketing
• Food Science and Human Nutrition
• Engineering
• Supply Chain & Logistics
• IT

What you need to apply?

We’re seeking ambitious, curious, and driven graduates who are ready to make an impact. Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

• Academic Achievement: A minimum 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as Business, Engineering, Food Science, Supply Chain, IT, or Finance.
• Growth Mindset: Eager to learn, adapt, and take on new challenges across different areas of the business.
• Strong Communication Skills: Able to collaborate effectively, present ideas clearly, and build relationships across teams.
• Problem-Solving Ability: Analytical thinkers who can approach challenges with creativity and resilience.
• Leadership Potential: Demonstrates initiative, accountability, and seeks opportunities to develop personally and professionally.
• Team Player: Values collaboration and contributes positively to team dynamics.
• Mobility & Flexibility: Willing to rotate across locations or functions as part of the programme.

Lakeland Dairies Ltd is committed to having an inclusive workplace where every employee feels they belong. If you require accommodations to be made during the recruitment process or have questions relating to accessibility, please contact us at careers@lakelanddairies.com.