Management Traineeship Rotterdam

Air & Ocean | Rotterdam, Netherlands

Kickstart your career with hands-on experience in an operational role and exciting projects, all while benefiting from structured training and coaching. During our three-year traineeship program, you'll rotate through two or three diverse roles, each with unique responsibilities and challenges. Whether you're driving a forklift, managing shipments, making sales calls, visiting customers, or leading a team, you'll gain comprehensive experience in supply chain management!

You'll have the opportunity to follow an international career path across Europe or stay local within your home country. We understand your ambitions and interests might evolve, so you won't have to decide right away. You'll have the freedom to create your own path as you grow and develop!

What We Offer

Besides on-the-job learning, you'll engage in various opportunities, including improvement projects, annual leadership courses, and team-building activities. Plus, you'll participate in and sometimes organize quarterly trainee sessions designed to be inspirational, inclusive, and visionary. Networking is key, and you'll connect with branch managers and the European leadership team during these sessions. Ongoing support and coaching from our trainee program coordinator will help you identify your strengths, areas for improvement, and strategies for overcoming career challenges at Mainfreight.

We're committed to promoting from within, meaning we'll invest in your career progression even after the three-year program. Our former trainees have taken on roles such as Operations Manager, Air & Ocean Branch Manager, and positions in finance, IT, and international locations. At Mainfreight, the world is truly your oyster!

What we look for

Every decision we make at Mainfreight today, we do so while looking at the next 100 years. We look for people who understand the long term benefits of leanring from the ground up and gaining a broad base of experience. We also look for people who:

Recently graduated with a bachelor or masters degree
Hold a European passport
Are passionate about starting a career in the supply chain industry
Speak proficient English and have a high command of either Dutch, French, German, Romanian, Polish, Italian, or Spanis

Frequently Asked Questions about our programme

When can I apply?

We have a different way of doing things around here. Rather than having fixed intakes, we recruit as and when we need new talent. To us, it’s about getting the right fit, not just the right numbers. We hire as many good people as we need throughout the year!

Where are the opportunities?

We have graduates based in our operations all around Europe. Where you are located will depend on the opportunities available at the time you apply, most of the time your first role will be in your home country. During your Mainfreight career there will be opportunities to work in another European country, so have your passport ready!

If you are looking for a specific location, we’ll do our best to find you a role there – either from when you start with us or when the next opportunity comes up.

Can I follow an international career path?

Yes! We support our trainees to follow a European career path should they want to. We like you to start in the country where you speak the native language, where you go next is up to you and the availability in the different countries. All you need to do is put your hand up!

Will I rotate through all business units?

There are no set rotations and no two career paths of our trainees is the same. Where you go is up to you and what is available at the time. Click HERE to find out more about some career paths our future leaders have taken.

What will my first few months look like?

Unlike most programmes, there are no set pathways here. You won’t be following fixed rotations but instead you will be owning the role you fill like any team member would. This flexible approach means you’ll contribute to the bottom line and get to understand what makes this business tick.

You can expect to spend your first period:

Learning the fundamentals of how our business works
In the operation handling freight, getting your hands dirty
Experiencing our unique culture and getting to know our people

Want to know hear more about the experiences of our Mainfreight Development Programme? Click HERE to hear what they have to say!

How long is the programme?

The programme takes three years but your development doesn't stop there! After the programme we will continue to invest in you and there will still be plenty of opportunities to develop yourself, thanks to our 'promote from within' philosophy.

Nicol Martínez | Recruiter Mainfreight Development Programme
T: +31 314 672 777
M:+31 626 206 690
E: careers.eu@mainfreight.com