Operations Professional Development Program (PDP) - STEM Graduate Scheme - Summer 2026 start

Operations Professional Development Program – the UK

Our Operations Professional Development Program (OPDP) is an entry-level, three-year rotation program designed to offer hands-on experience while promoting personal and professional growth. As a participant from the UK, you will begin the program and first two rotations in your home country at our Witney site, then you will complete your final-year rotation abroad.

Upon completion, PDP participants graduate into their next full-time position in their home country, continuing to grow their career and contributing as an Abbott professional using the foundation of skills, experience and network developed during their time in the program.

As a OPDP participant you will:

• Be a regular full-time employee of Abbott and qualify for the same competitive salary and benefits as other Abbott employees.
• Assume full responsibility and contribute as a functional operations professional.
• Rotate through three challenging, demanding, and diverse assignments.
• Develop a well-rounded skill set through assignments in the established learning tracks (see below) for the program.
• Relocate abroad for the final assignment to experience diversity and operations.
• Work within multiple business units during your rotational program at Abbott.
• Have the opportunity to explore possible crossover assignments within other Operation Programs (i.e. Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operational Excellence).
• Be paired with a mentor to assist in the development of your operations career.
• Create a personalized growth plan to serve as a step-by-step guide towards the experiences, knowledge, and resources necessary to achieve your career goals
• Obtain training customized to support your individual growth and development.
• Report to a department manager in each assignment who will oversee your day-to-day responsibilities.

OPDP rotation overview:

• In the UK, the OPDP rotation is based on annual rotations over the three year Program. Your career with us will commence working directly with the FreeStyle Libre sensor product, learning the manufacturing process. A series of rotations across functions will follow in Technical, Operations Planning, Quality Assurance, Project Management or Engineering.
• No assignment is repeated; each is with a different Assignment Manager
• OPDP participants starting the program in Summer 2026 will complete a three-year program with the final international (overseas) rotation ending in June 2029.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree/Master’s in Engineering (Automation/Mechanical/Electrical), Automation, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Food Science, or related disciplines (grade 2:1 or higher)
• Interest in pursuing a career in Operations – Production, Engineering, Plant Quality, etc.
• Track record of outstanding academic performance and co-curricular activities.
• Has the capacity to apply skills and knowledge to address operational challenges and add value to the business.
• Has strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Possess strong interpersonal, leadership & communication skills.
• Eager to learn and has the flexibility and willingness to work on different projects.
• Previous work experience in internship or co-op work experience.

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PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

YOUR OWN RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK

We welcome applications from candidates already eligible to work in the UK or those that can apply for a visa granting permission to work in the UK (e.g. dependent visas, ancestry etc.) that do not require sponsorship from Abbott. You will be asked to share proof of this prior to receiving any offer of employment. We would like to make you aware that if you are made an offer of employment with Abbott you will need to remain on your current visa / permit. If for any reason your visa status changes, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship in the future.  In addition, the Company would not fund any subsequent non sponsored visa applications - you will be solely responsible for paying and maintaining your own right to work in the UK. In some instances we may not be able to offer you a permanent contract.

Any employment offer made by Abbott is contingent upon you obtaining and maintaining the right to work and reside legally in the UK. You are required to notify us immediately if your immigration status changes after you have submitted your application. 

GRADUATES BASED IN THE UK

If you are on a Graduate visa, we cannot guarantee you sponsorship from within the UK upon its expiry. Abbott only has a set number of Certificate of Sponsorship applications that can be made each year, which are utilised for highly skilled workers transferring internally.  If this limit is reached and other Home Office requirements cannot be met, it will prevent us from being able to sponsor and therefore employ you, unless you are able to secure your own right to work in the UK following the expiry of a Graduate visa.