Operations Trainee

Job Description

We are looking for curious engineering graduates who want to understand how large-scale operations work and how they connect to the systems that feed, fuel, and sustain communities around the world.

At ADM, our mission is to unlock the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. Across our global operations in food, agriculture, and essential supply chains, the work our teams do every day reaches homes, tables, and industries worldwide.

What the job is about

We are looking for dedicated graduates with the potential to build a long-term career at ADM, starting with our European Operations Traineeship. You will join teams of experienced engineers, supervisors, and managers and gain exposure to our production processes and improvement initiatives focused on operational excellence, optimization, and continuous improvement.

As an operations trainee, you will be part of a two-year program designed to build your understanding of ADM’s operations across different departments and business units. Training will be gained primarily through hands-on experience, supported by learning opportunities that challenge you and accelerate your development. Depending on your performance, development needs, business opportunities, and your own interests, you may also have the opportunity to complete up to one year of the program at another ADM location in Europe.

Our Offer

• A unique experience as part of the European Operations Traineeship, gaining exposure to ADM’s operational environments and different business units
• A variety of projects where you can contribute to operational improvements and real business challenges
• A high level of personal responsibility within an operational continuous improvement environment
• Space for innovative thinking and professional growth, within a company culture that promotes continuous learning and collaboration
• Career development opportunities within a global company operating across food, agriculture, and essential supply chains
• A competitive compensation package including a range of benefits

The elements of your program will be:

• Working in shifts for a limited period of the program, rotating through relevant operational departments to learn how production, safety, and teamwork come together in daily operations
• Rotating through other departments to build knowledge of how different functions across the organization are connected
• Spending up to one year at another ADM location within Europe, depending on performance, development needs, business opportunities, and your own interests. During this time, you will be exposed to projects and experiences designed to help you develop people management skills
• Participation in trainee events where you will learn more about our products and other areas of ADM operations
• Supporting Performance Excellence, our continuous improvement program, by participating in and coordinating improving initiatives
• During the program, you will be assigned a mentor who will act as a sounding board and provide additional support
• You will gain exposure to and learn from regional operations leadership. Upon completion of the traineeship, we review together, based on opportunities and your experience, what the next development step within the organization could be

Responsibilities:

Your main responsibility within the program is to develop the following skills, which will form the foundation of a career in operations at ADM:

• Gain technical knowledge of operational processes and production environments
• Establish an internal network and build strong working relationships across teams and departments
• Understand how the organization operates and how different departments connect to support operations
• Develop and practice people management skills
• Learn about Continuous Improvement within the organization through our Performance Excellence organization
• Contribute to and support a strong safety culture, where looking out for one another is a fundamental part of how we work

What will make you successful:

• A recent engineering graduate with 0–2 years of work experience, motivated to pursue a career in operations within a fast-paced international environment
• A university degree in chemical, process, food processing, nutrition, food, pharma or a related discipline
• Fluency in Dutch and in English; additional European languages are an advantage
• Ability to communicate confidently and effectively with colleagues at different levels in the organization
• Willingness to self-reflect, seek feedback and continuously improve
• Openness to diverse perspectives and the ability to include others when identifying solutions
• Comfort working in a dynamic, fast-moving international environment and openness to change
• A proactive team player who works toward both individual and company goals while keeping customers in mind
• Openness to mobility and new opportunities during the program

About ADM

At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. We’re a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company.