Dale Farm Cooperative is a UK dairy farmer co-operative owned by over 1200 dairy farmers who supply us with fresh milk. Dale Farm has operations throughout the UK and Ireland producing and distributing a wide range of dairy products which it sells across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to over 45 countries worldwide.
At Dale Farm virtually every career discipline is represented in our workforce, from production, engineering and distribution, to sales & marketing and food technology/quality assurance, to Finance, HR and IT through to general management. Our standards are high and when we recruit we are looking for those with energy and drive, who are keen for responsibility and motivated to succeed with a record of achievement and with the potential to develop as the company grows.
Culture
Our culture is based on setting best in class standards, working towards and delivering on committed objectives, striving for constant improvement and involving everyone in the company. We strive to develop our people and harness everyone’s contribution to deliver a winning team.
Benefits
In return, we offer a high degree of responsibility, plenty of challenge, good opportunities for learning and personal development and rewarding benefit packages, all within a fast moving and results oriented environment.
United Feeds, part of Dale Farm – the UK’s largest farmer‑owned dairy cooperative – manufactures blended and compound feeds for dairy, beef, and sheep, with production facilities in Belfast and Dungannon. Alongside feed, we provide innovative nutritional solutions, on‑farm advisory services, and selected farm inputs including fertiliser, calf milk replacer, and forage inoculant direct to farms and merchants.
Core to our success is our people, and we now have an exciting opportunity for a Trainee Operations Lead, based at our Dungannon site with travel to Belfast if needed.
The role
Reporting to the Site Manager, you will support daily operations across the Mill.
This role is ideal for a self‑motivated and adaptable person who is enthusiastic about starting a career in Operations.
You will gain hands‑on experience across all operational functions within a feed mill environment, providing a strong foundation for a long‑term career in Manufacturing or Operations.
If successful, you will:
- Support the day-to-day running of the Mill
- Assist all functions of the site including operations, planning, quality, environmental capex and health and safety.
- Support production teams to meet quality, safety, and performance standards
- Provide absence and leave cover in both operations and planning when required.
- Assist with staff training and updating standard operating procedures.
- Carry out internal audits and risk assessments.
- Lead site improvement projects.
What we are looking for
- Educated to Degree level or minimum Level 3 qualification in relevant discipline or equivalent.
- Demonstrative communication skills with the ability to communicate across all levels
- Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively and work under pressure
- Proficiency with MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook etc) Power BI and others are desirable
- Right to work in the UK (Sponsorship is not available)
- Flexibility to travel to Belfast site if required.
- UK Driving Licence and access to car to travel if needed.
Why United Feeds?
We have a lot to offer our employees, including:
- Learning and development opportunities to support your career
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Contributary company pension
- Life Assurance
Supportive work environment and culture, which is based on our core values:
Teamwork | Positivity | Resolve | Ambition | Curiosity | Accountability
