Frequently asked questions

What are the formal qualifications?

We are first and foremost looking for candidates with a passion for Finance.

We are looking for Finance graduates in Denmark, Sweden and Germany, therefore you must state in your application which country or countries you would like to be considered for. Furthermore, you need to have finalized your Bachelor's or Master's degree not more than 2 years prior to the start of the graduate programme in September.

There is no requirement to speak another language than English but is of course a plus. You are not required to speak neither Danish, Swedish or German. 

How many positions are available?

The concrete number of Finance graduates may vary from year to year, depending on business needs.

How do I apply?

We normally open our application window in November for the next year's intake for the programme. Please follow our website and our social media channels for further information. You can also go to Vacancies to see all the current open positions. 

When applying, please attach your CV and your academic certificates from your studies and any other document you find relevant. If you have not yet completed your degree, please attach an overview of your latest exam marks. In your application you must convince us that your educational background, personality and passion for Finance, is what we are looking for in order to become a key employee.

It is imperative that your application is in English, and non-English applications will not be taken into consideration. That also means that your exam papers must be translated into English, unless they are in either English, German or any of the Scandinavian languages. 

How are the rotations?

The Finance Graduate Programme consists of three rotations of 12 months, 6 months and 6 months, respectively. Within each rotation, we aim to develop your core Finance skills, along with your skills across Business & Performance, Data & Digital and Strategy & Execution. Your rotations will be a mix of operational tasks and strategic projects.

Your first rotation will be in your home country (Denmark, Sweden or Germany) for 12 months, providing you with an opportunity to fully onboard into the company, understand our business model and build Arla acumen.

For  either your second or third rotation you will go to one of our offices in our core markets for 6 months. The location of this rotation will be determined in dialogue with the programme manager after starting the programme.

How is the salary?

Arla pays a fully competitive market salary during the Finance Graduate Programme and beyond. We regard competitive pay as a key lever to attracting the right talent to our business.

What Finance departments can you rotate between?

During the graduate programme, you will rotate between three finance functions across Arla Finance. These functions consists of Performance Management, M&A, Business Partnering Finance, Supply Chain Finance, AFI Finance, Europe Finance, Strategy & Business Development and Corporate Functions/Global Shared Services. The specific departments will be determined during the programme to match both your interests and business needs. 

Through conversations with your programme manager, we will match you up with a rotational schedule we find relevant for your profile.  

In which locations will the rotations be?

Your first rotation will be in your home country (Denmark, Sweden or Germany). For  either your second or third rotation you will go to one of our offices in our core markets for 6 months. The location of this rotation will be determined in dialogue with the programme manager after starting the programme.

The international rotation is a mandatory part of the Finance graduate programme.

What learning opportunities will the Finance Graduate Programme provide me with?

As a graduate in Arla Foods we want to develop the skills needed for you to excel in the Future of Finance. Therefore, you will be provided with several opportunities to support your learning

  • You will be allocated a personal mentor, who will guide you through your personal development plan, and help build your network.
  • On each rotation, you will have a Development Manager who will evaluate your performance and behavior in the current position and provide valuable feedback.
  • As part of your graduate journey, you will attend four training camps where you will be provided with relevant tools and theories and develop your Finance skills. The training camps will be facilitated in collaboration with our other graduate programmes, to extend your personal network – and to have fun!
  • On your rotations you will work on various tasks and projects, and get your own responsibilities, which will build your competencies and provide you with relevant work experiences.

Last but not least, you will become a part of a large graduate network within Arla.  

Will I receive feedback on my application?

As we experience a huge interest in our Graduate Programmes and receive many applications, we unfortunately will not be able to provide individual feedback for all applicants. 

Am I guaranteed a job when I finish the program?

Yes. When you are selected as a Finance graduate in Arla, you hired in on a permanent contract.

After the two years, we will find the perfect job for you to continue your professional journey within the company.

What is the difference between Arla’s graduate programmes?

All our graduate programmes in Arla are 2-year graduate programmes.

The Finance graduate programme is designed and intended for ambitious graduates aiming towards a career in Finance. During the programme you will rotate between three Finance departments within the company, including a 6-month rotation abroad.

The IT graduate programme is a specialist programme for graduates looking to develop their competencies within IT. Similar to the Finance graduate programme, these graduates are hired in for a full-time position and will receive targeted training within their area of interest.

Both the F15 and Production Management Graduate Programme are programmes for graduates who strive to become future leaders in Arla Foods.

The F15 Programme is an international programme where you go on three rotations within different commercial areas such as: Marketing, sales, supply chain, HR, etc. It is for graduates wanting to explore different parts of our business, aiming to become a leader within any of these areas.

The Production Management Graduate Programme is a two-year programme where you rotate to different production sites and your focus is on one functional area of production or supply chain.