For school students
Internship semester and final-year project
We offer students the opportunity to spend their internship semester or shorter internship at one of our companies.
Working for us.
Working together, developing together.
As the largest German dairy cooperative, the DMK Group employs several thousand people. A huge responsibility, and we aim to live up to it with every day that passes. So it’s important to us for our employees to feel happy in their work. Their working environment should inspire them and allow them to focus on key issues.
Job offers
Find the right job:
We know all about recipes for success.
High-quality dairy products don't just make themselves. To make them come out right, all the ingredients have to be carefully selected and be in perfect balance It’s very similar with our employees. At DMK, ever individual has special skills, but when you work with a team exciting new things are created that take our company forward.
For the best career start.
As a member of the “Alliance for YOUth”, we particularly support young people under 30 years of age and want to help make things easy for them when they first start their career.
For school students, we offer exciting training opportunities and internships in a wide range of professions. Students can take internships ;during their studies which give them an impression of our work, and can acquire additional qualifications with us or complete their final-year project at our company.
You are welcome to submit an application (in response to an actual vacancy or unsolicited) or contact us directly online.
Passion: Speed up your way
The new “Passion” program enables all those who are accepted to explore their own potential, and later on, to find a post as a specialist and manager within the company.
The program is made up of several parts. First, applicants need to send in a video that explains what excites them about DMK and what they want to achieve. Once the selection process is complete, participants take part in three group training sessions. After that, the other parts are tailored to the individual’s needs with a personal development plan. Participants are given a mentor and they work in different parts of the company on a series of projects, within a period of 12 to a maximum of 24 months. DMK’s aim is to fill new vacancies internally.
More responsibility The candidates are not given specific targets at the outset. That is why it is so important that applicants have integrity, are team players who love their work.
In order to take part in “Passion,” you need to have completed an apprenticeship or a bachelor’s degree and have two years’ work experience. You will also need to be employed in a permanent role and be willing to work in different places. Applicants undergo a selection process that includes a potential assessment.
Be part of the team.
Training and career prospects with DMK.
From trainee to trainer Kim Hilljegerdes, Warehouse Logistics Specialist
The in-service master's degree
Hanna Büßelmann, dairy technologist
Hanna Büßelmann, dairy technologist
The in-service master's degree
Jan-Erik Ploog, Dairy technologist
Jan-Erik Ploog, Dairy technologist
The individual training program
Patrick Olker, Dairy laboratory technician
Patrick Olker, Dairy laboratory technician
Kim Hilljegerdes
First name, surname: Hilljegerdes, Kim
Age: 25
Vocational training: After 2 years warehouse specialist, after 3 years completed as warehouse logistics specialist
Current role : Specialist Warehouse
The DMK Group is Germany's largest dairy cooperative with around 7,800 employees.But what happens when family members meet here in their everyday working life? That was the case with Kim Hilljegerdes. She even completed her apprenticeship with her father.
As a rule, children know three professions very well: that of their mother, that of their father and that of the teacher. Thus, it is not surprising that many children follow a similar career path as their parents. However, in Kim Hilljegerdes' case, that was not the original plan. After leaving school, she trained as a medical assistant, while her father worked in logistics at the DMK plant in Edewecht.
"Even during my training as a medical assistant, I realised that it wasn't a 100% fit. I wanted to take on more responsibility in my professional life and therefore made the decision to reorient myself once again after completing my training by doing some internships. During my internship at DMK, I really liked the work in logistics, so I started my training as a warehouse specialist in 2016 in a rather unusual constellation. My father was responsible for me as a trainer. Two years ago, I completed it with distinction." The training to become a warehouse specialist takes two years but it is possible to complete this training with an additional year as a warehouse logistics specialist. Kim also took this path.
"My father has been working at DMK since 1992, so it was a bit strange at first that I was doing my training with him, out of all people. But we can separate our private and professional lives very well, so it wasn't a problem. It just surprised him how hardworking I can be, he didn't always know that from home."
After her apprenticeship, Kim started a job as a logistics clerk. Her activities as a "Warehouse Specialist" include day-to-day business, preparing delivery documents, tour processing or inventory management in SAP. In addition, she is the contact person for truck drivers, empties and returns processing. At the same time, she is also an interface for internal departments such as the laboratory, packaging or packing and for external freight forwarders.
"In 2020, I completed the trainer`s licence in full time. It lasted 14 days and DMK Group covered the costs for me. I also had the opportunity to take educational leave for this, so I could concentrate fully on it. With this milestone, I have caught up with my father, so to speak."
But the trainer's licence is not Kim's last goal. From August this year, she will attend a master course for 7 months. Due to her good exam results in her apprenticeship, she has been awarded a government scholarship from the SBB, which she plans to use for the master course and a language trip abroad. "Afterwards, I will return to my usual job, my employment relationship will remain and I will be paid part of my salary during the master course, so I don't have to apply for social services, for example."
"I would like to see more training in logistics at DMK in the future and to also learn more about this area outside the factories. People often think that you just push the pallets back and forth - but most of them are not even aware of what's behind it."
Hanna Büßelmann
First name, surname: Büßelmann, Hanna
Age: 26
Vocational training:: Dairy technologist
Current role: Team Leader, Production
Main responsibilities:
Processing and evaluation of production data / process optimisation (‘What was the production process like and what does the corresponding laboratory data look like? / Where can we change things in order to improve, and where do I need to intervene?’) Also, personnel planning and production planning.
In 2010, with an extended secondary-school diploma under her belt, Hanna began a vocational-training programme as a dairy technologist at DMK Group in Edewecht. ‘I grew up on my parents’ dairy farm near Edewecht. We had always delivered our milk to DMK – known as Nordmilch back then – so I encountered the dairy company early on.“
She decided that she wanted to attend a school for master craftspeople while she was still in the process of completing her vocational training. ‘I simply enjoy learning; I need new information, and shift work would not have suited me in the long run.“
That’s why she chose to attend the ‘Molkereimeisterschule’ in Oldenburg – a special school for tradespeople to train as a ‘master of dairy’ – in 2015. ‘The DMK Group provided me with great support: I received a grant for my advanced training; over the entire length of my programme, I was financially supported by the company and released from my duties. This allowed me to concentrate fully on my studies.“
After working in a few other roles within the company, she was eventually presented with the opportunity, in 2019, to become the team leader for production at the DMK site in Bergen on the island of Rügen. ‘I did have a few insecurities – I was only 24 years old. But ultimately I worked up the courage to go for it. It was the best decision!“
Today, Hanna is the team leader for production at Müritz Milch GmbH in Waren. As the production team leader, she is a point of contact to whom her employees can bring their concerns and needs. ‘But I also love my operational activities, of course. As a deputy manager in the cheese dairy, I am responsible for the operating room, and I organise machine maintenance and repairs. I also process and evaluate production data: How well did production go? How’s the lab data looking? Where can we make changes in order to improve? Where do I need to intervene? The great thing about my job is how much versatility it has“
"I’m glad that I was given the opportunity to gain so much experience in this totally new environment. Everything went pretty well for me – and that’s also what I’d like young people to take away from my story. My goal is to inspire the next generation of potential employees with enthusiasm about our company and the exciting job of a dairy technologist."
Jan-Erik Ploog
First name, surname: Ploog, Jan Erik
age: 25
vocational training: dairy tecnologist
current role: leader, production
When Jan-Erik Ploog began his apprenticeship as a dairy technologist in 2013, he had just left school after completing Year 11 with his secondary school leaving certificate (Realschulabschluss). “For me the only thing that was clear was that I wanted to do something practical. I had already had a lot of contact with the DMK Group through my family, and so I simply applied there and then.” At that time, Jan-Erik did not realise how soon it would be before he was back at school. After completing his apprenticeship and working for some time in the drying division, he decided to pursue a different direction. “When I originally decided to leave school, I actually wanted to leave the theory behind me. But thanks to the apprenticeship and after my first years in the job, I found my passion here and wanted to take on responsibility in this field in the long-term”, explains Jan-Erik. He soon decided that he wanted to complete an extra-occupational master guild examination in Oldenburg independently. “I received a lot of support with this, especially from my colleagues, including plant management, the works council, the head of department and my plant colleagues. For example, they took care of the additional work that resulted from my absence during the course and in some cases even postponed their annual leave. I am extremely grateful for that.” But the effort paid off: Today, after successfully completing his master guild examination, Jan-Erik is already team leader at the Hohenwestedt plant at the age of 25.
Patrick Olker
First name, surname: Olker, Patrick
Age: 25
Vocational training: Dairy technologist
Current role: Team Leader, Production
When Jan-Erik Ploog began his apprenticeship as a dairy technologist in 2013, he had just left school after completing Year 11 with his secondary school leaving certificate (Realschulabschluss). “For me the only thing that was clear was that I wanted to do something practical. I had already had a lot of contact with the DMK Group through my family, and so I simply applied there and then.” At that time, Jan-Erik did not realise how soon it would be before he was back at school. After completing his apprenticeship and working for some time in the drying division, he decided to pursue a different direction. “When I originally decided to leave school, I actually wanted to leave the theory behind me. But thanks to the apprenticeship and after my first years in the job, I found my passion here and wanted to take on responsibility in this field in the long-term”, explains Jan-Erik. He soon decided that he wanted to complete an extra-occupational master guild examination in Oldenburg independently. “I received a lot of support with this, especially from my colleagues, including plant management, the works council, the head of department and my plant colleagues. For example, they took care of the additional work that resulted from my absence during the course and in some cases even postponed their annual leave. I am extremely grateful for that.” But the effort paid off: Today, after successfully completing his master guild examination, Jan-Erik is already team leader at the Hohenwestedt plant at the age of 25.
Full-time course for the master craftsman's diploma, Eick Wetter, dairy technologist
Full-time course for the master craftsman's diploma, Alexander Klein, dairy technologist
Eick Wetter
Name, Surename: Wetter, Eick
Age: 24
Vocational training: master dairyman
Current role: team coordinator drying department
As a trained master dairyman, Eick Wetter can finally do what he had been unable to do as a dairy technologist, namely reach his full potential.
First he trained as a milk technologist in Edewecht. Then Eick moved to Zeven to the drying department and, as a plant operator, ran the pre-process, the spray tower, the bagging line and the department's laboratory. But the 24-year-old wanted more. "I wanted to realise my potential." So in August 2020, he started further training to become a dairy master, which he successfully completed in 2021. Right afterwards, he also became team coordinator in Zeven’s drying department.
It was and still is very important to Eick to expand his knowledge and skills, to learn how to lead employees, to get to know other areas besides the production process and also to take on more responsibility.
" I completed the preparatory course to become a master dairyman full-time within ten months. I acquired plenty of technological knowledge and learned about business management, among other things.” Then he successfully completed a qualification in training and an examination in staff management. Eick wrote his Master's thesis in eleven weeks. He totally recommend going to the master craftsman training for anyone who is interested and committed to their work, as you are then qualified for higher positions.
When asked what the team coordinator benefits from now, he knows the answer immediately: "Besides my professional skills, I also developed personally. I now feel really enthusiastic about my future professional life."
Alexander Klein
Name, Surename: Klein, Alexander
Age: 25
Vocational training: master dairyman
Current role: Team coordinator for fresh produce and dessert production
Alexander Klein was no longer satisfied working as a chef. New professional perspectives opened up after he trained as a dairy master craftsman at DMK.
Even during his training as a chef, Alexander realised that he wanted to train for another profession with good future prospects. Since he wanted to stay in the food sector, he informed himself about various job profiles. In the end, the training as a dairy technologist appealed to him. "I was totally prepared to go to Erfurt right away in order to start my dream apprenticeship and had never any regrets."
However, you don't just do the master's degree on the side, you follow your inner drive. Alexander can clearly name his: “I wanted to take on more responsibility professionally,
and also to learn more about how business works.”
Despite the restrictions imposed by Corona, his further training went very well! He opted for the full-time course, which lasted eleven months. It was divided into eight months of theory at the LUFA Nord-West in Oldenburg, including a final examination, and three months to write a graduating thesis. In the theory part he also learned about business administration, law and management. And Alexander completed a project at DMK in Erfurt for his final paper.
And how does it feel for Alexander to be a master craftsman? "It's a good feeling and it´s a relief," says the 25-year-old: "I'm now a team coordinator for fresh produce and dessert production and I can apply everything I learned in practice. I'm looking forward to proving myself in my new job and I'm excited about what is ahead."