Kuehne + Nagel 2025 graduate opportunities

Company Company profile

With over 82,000 employees at some 1,300 locations in over 100 countries, the Kuehne + Nagel Group is one of the world’s leading logistics companies. Its strong market position lies in the seafreight, airfreight, contract logistics and overland businesses, with a clear focus on high value-added segments such as IT-based integrated logistics solutions.

Whatever it is. Whoever it’s for. If it needs transporting, we can take it. Safely, securely and on time. Wherever and whenever it’s needed. To do that we use the best equipment, the latest systems and employ the most talented people. People like you.

When you woke up this morning you probably had no idea that the rest of your career might be defined by 144 million marbles or 30,000 tonnes of flying fish. You may never have heard of the 125-year-old company behind putting those products and many more on shelves across the world. All that’s about to change.

Our trainees help shape the future of our organisation and drive our business strategy forward. You won’t find yourself hidden away in a corner – from day one you’ll be immersed in the business operations and with responsibility for your own deliverables. We’ll support you along the way and if you’re ambitious and work hard the opportunities are endless.

Our structured 2 year graduate programmes are based nationwide and offer talented individuals the opportunity to build valuable operational and commercial skills in a fast-moving logistics environment. You’ll broaden your experience and deepen your knowledge through a rotation of business placements.

Starting in September with your induction programme, you’ll enjoy a warm welcome to the business and immediately start to build your professional network. Your business placements will be complemented by a dedicated development programme and you’ll be part of the trainee community hub, where you’ll be mentored and coached by colleagues across the business. We’ll also provide financial support to complete the relevant professional qualification for your chosen business area.

We recruit across all areas of our business. and have opportunities available in Contract Logistics, Integrated Logistics, Airfreight, Seafreight, International Road Logistics, Finance, HR, IT Solutions, Customer Solutions and Quality Assurance. Why not visit our graduate recruitment site HERE to find out more and choose the right programme for you.

We offer a starting salary of £27,000, welcome bonus of £1000 and a further pay review after 1 year. You'll also receive great company benefits including pension, healthcare and access to our cashback and discount scheme (across a huge variety of retailers).

If you’re ambitious, commercial, driven and eager to show what you can do, this is a great way to launch your career in logistics.

Case studies

Name: Jenna
Role: Contract Manager
Joined: 2015
University: Heriot Watt University
Degree: MA (Hons) Business and Finance

Description:

Why did you want to work for KN?

I wanted to join a market leader that puts employees first and has an ethical approach to their business operations. I really liked the graduate programme as it offered the chance to move around different business areas and locations and I knew this would be a fast track way to increase my experience and network across the business

Where was the best part of being on the graduate programme?

One of the best elements of the graduate programme for me was the teams I got be involved with, both on my placements and during the development workshops with my fellow graduates. I had the chance to work in lots of different teams but also take the lead on a number of our graduate projects and tasks. I also
love walking into work knowing that every day will be different and that even when there are challenges to face, I know that the team will pull together to make sure the job gets done.

Where are you now and what does a typical day involve?

Since completing the graduate scheme, I am now the contract manager for one of a largest food and retail contracts. My day starts with a morning meeting for all departments to be aligned and any issues raised. Then I will head down to the warehouse and see my team. After this my day is very varied but always centred on the customer. This can range from pallet investigations and process mapping to off-site visits to our freight teams or other contracts with best practice.

Export is growing and each end customer is completely unique so my team and I have to be really dynamic in amending our processes to meet the customer’s needs. What applied in the UK can be completely different in another country so we have to be innovate and design solutions on behalf of our customers to ensure that the products we transport for them across the globe meet all legislation and compliance requirements. My team are really positive about change which makes it a great environment to
work in.

What advice would you give to future graduates?

Appreciate the time you have as a graduate. All the little bits of information you see through your graduate journey will build into a picture at the end and show you where you want to go in the future.

Make the most of the workshops and the CILT training, they are more than just qualifications - they are where your network begins with your peers who will support you throughout your programme.

Remember to stay in contact with your past placements. Best practice can be found everywhere in KN. It will surprise you later on how often you will say “oh I know that person/ I have seen that process at XX/ my past placement has that equipment “ and that is a very useful tool to have in such a large organisation.

Name: Leon
Role: Pharmaceutical Compliance
Joined: 2015
University: University of Huddersfield
Degree: BSc (Hons) Air Transport & Logistics Management

Description:

What type of things did you get involved in during your programme?

During my programme I worked in both the Aviation import team and the Perishables retail team. Whilst I was working with the Perishables team I was given the opportunity to manage a warehouse automation project. We were able to come up with a solution that increased productivity and accuracy for one of our major customers. I was given real responsibility and guided the project through phase one, improving our productivity levels by 66% and increasing our accuracy levels significantly.

Where are you now?

I’m now based in our London Heathrow site and my role is pharmaceutical compliance, focusing on the customer side of the business. I’m involved in data analysis, risk assessments, tracking KPIS and undertaking various projects for our major pharmaceutical customers.

What do you enjoy about working for KN?

The thing I enjoy most about working for KN is that I’m able to have an input and really make a difference. You don’t always get the in a large company but it’s not the case at KN. Everyone’s input it valued and I get to come up with solutions that directly benefit our customers. It’s very rewarding.

What advice would you give to future graduates?

The advice I would give is to get involved and don’t be afraid of failure. As graduates we are in the infancy of our careers and sometimes this means we are afraid to try different things or to ask questions through fear of failure or change. The graduate programme provides such a unique opportunity to see and experience each area of the operation, so jump in and seize the day!

Training & profiles

Kuehne & Nagel offer a Graduate programme based on building knowledge and skills to apply in-role. Graduates will have 4 placements, each 6 months long, in the parts of the business that are essential to build their knowledge base. These placements are structured, with clear objectives, and fully supported throughout. The placements are incredibly varied, but can include working in Import/Export environments, managing a shift including the operatives delivering vital services or working on business improvement projects, but this is just a flavour of what a Graduate with Kuehne + Nagel can expect. Alongside this, Graduates will attend a range of Development Workshops to explore management and leadership tools and techniques. They will work on talent development projects and will have lots of opportunity to network at the most senior level in the organisation. Professional Qualifications are also part of the programme, so depending on the route a Graduate follows that could be CILT, ACCA or CIPD qualifications to support professional development. Our Graduates have an individual Sponsor who will play an active role in ensuring the Graduate is given all of the experience and opportunity they need to fulfil their potential.

Kuehne + Nagel has a truly diverse business - the scale and scope of Kuehne + Nagel’s operations means that there is no such thing as a standard route on our Graduate programme, or a standard role for our Graduates to go into at the end of the programme. We encourage our Graduates to gain a wide range of experiences, as this helps them identify the right career path for them when they come to the end of the programme. Support does not end there, as we continue to support the ongoing career development of our Graduate talent, and look to this community for future leaders in our business.