Meet the Trainee: Amy Sanders’ MDS Journey

Amy’s time on the MDS Graduate Scheme has been filled with new challenges, big projects and plenty of opportunities to make an impact. After being named the winner of the Doug Henderson Award, one of the highest accolades a Trainee can receive, she’s now in her final secondment and reflecting on her MDS journey so far.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background before joining MDS?

A bit about me, I actually became a qualified chef during my A-levels, which is where my love of food really started. At the same time, I discovered I was pretty good at Business Studies, so I put the two together and decided the food industry was where I wanted to be. I went on to study Business Management and Marketing at Nottingham Trent, spending my placement year at apetito, a ready-meals manufacturer and distributor. That experience really cemented my interest in the food sector.

After university, I worked as a Junior Account Manager at a food importing company for six months before joining MDS for the professional development, incredible network and unique experience it offers.

Outside of work, I play competitive badminton around the UK (when I can squeeze it in!), I’m a passionate cook, and I have three small dogs who I FaceTime regularly while moving between placements. They genuinely keep me sane!

What made you apply for the MDS Graduate Scheme?

I knew I wanted to stay in the food industry, but I had no idea what role I wanted to be in. One evening, I randomly came across MDS on Google, and the idea of experiencing four completely different roles in two years instantly grabbed me.

It felt like such a rare opportunity to explore the industry properly, gain real responsibility and figure out what direction suited me best. I also liked the idea of discovering what I didn’t want to do (which is just as valuable) within a six-month time limit!

Which placements have you completed during your time on the programme, and what did you learn from each?

I’ve been really fortunate to work with four great Member businesses during my time on the MDS programme. Each placement has given me exposure to a completely different part of the industry, with new challenges, responsibilities and opportunities to learn. Looking back, I can see how each experience has helped me develop both professionally and personally, and given me a much broader understanding of where I could take my career.

James Hutton – Marketing Assistant/Manager	Operating a marketing team and cross collaboration with the institute and the commercial subsidiary I was in. CRM analytics and commercial reporting Creating marketing plans for large events Rebranding a whole company Change management Building a whole website and coordinating 60+ contributors and 90+ sections
Morrisons – Buyer Assistant	Category management fundamentals, including pricing, promotions, supplier relationships, and product onboarding. High‑pressure operational problem‑solving Retail systems and processes Data accuracy and risk mitigation Professional resilience
Angus Soft Fruits – Technical Administrator	Technical project leadership Cross‑functional coordination Data management and traceability Retailer communication Operational understanding

Now in my final secondment on the MDS programme, I’m working with It’s Fresh in a Commercial Strategic Growth and Marketing role. I’m learning a lot about strategic market research, commercial analysis and working with teams across different time zones. I’ve also had the chance to get involved in technical trials and data collection, which has been a great way to build my commercial and analytical skills.

Are there any highlights or achievements that stand out from your time on the scheme?

Absolutely. At James Hutton Limited, I stepped in as a Marketing Assistant and quickly became the acting Marketing Manager, presenting at board meetings and leading major projects. I delivered a full company rebrand and built an entirely new website in just four months, coordinating over 90 sections and more than 60 contributors. Despite some resistance to change, the site launched successfully and is still live today.

At Morrisons, I joined one of the busiest retail categories and helped transform a team that was over ten weeks behind into one operating 3.5–6 weeks ahead. I onboarded hundreds of products, prevented costly errors and earned recognition from senior leadership for saving the category many thousands of pounds.

At Angus Soft Fruits, I led the rollout of a new DG+ labelling system across the UK and Scottish packhouses, a huge project that I delivered within five months. It improved efficiency, accuracy and consistency, and earned me a nomination for the ‘Pick of the Crop’ award.

Winning the Doug Henderson Award and being shortlisted for the FPC Rising Star Award are fantastic achievements. What did those recognitions mean to you?

Honestly, they meant more than I expected. When you’re constantly moving between companies and delivering big projects, it becomes your “normal” and you forget how impressive it looks from the outside. I worked incredibly hard, built strong relationships and always tried to do the right thing for the Member companies and my own development.

I remember sitting at my first MDS conference, hearing the Doug Henderson Award speech and thinking, ‘How does one person achieve all that on a graduate scheme?’ Two years later, hearing that same kind of speech read out about me was a full-circle moment. It made me realise just how much I’d done.

I never set out to win awards. I just wanted to do my best, learn as much as possible and make a positive impact. Being recognised for that feels amazing, and I’m genuinely honoured.

How has MDS helped you develop, both professionally and personally?

MDS has given me confidence, resilience and the ability to adapt quickly. Packing up and moving every six months teaches you to be organised, independent and comfortable being outside your comfort zone.

It pushed me to meet new people, join sports clubs and build a life wherever I landed. Professionally, I feel like I can walk into any company now and get stuck in straight away. Personally, I’ve learned I’m far more capable than I ever realised.

What are your plans once you finish the programme?

The plan is to move into a full-time role in a commercial function where I can keep growing, developing my skills and making an impact.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for MDS?

Fully commit to the MDS way. You can’t do it half-heartedly, and if you throw yourself into it, you’ll love it. Get stuck in – ask questions, ask for more work, ask to shadow people, ask about their jobs. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s the fastest way to build relationships, get embedded and grow your skills.

‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.’ I remind myself of that constantly. It’s what pushes me to step outside my comfort zone and say yes to opportunities.

It’s an experience like no other. It will challenge you professionally and personally, but the growth you get in both areas is worth every second. You’ll build strong professional connections, make great friends and learn more in two years than you ever thought possible.