Industrial Placement - Manufacturing Strategy

Salary: £25,500

Start Date: Monday 16th August 2027 – Friday 4th August 2028
Location: Based in Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 3PL.

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Entry Requirements: See ‘What we’re looking for’ section

Our Industrial Placement Programme:

As part of Bentley’s annual Early Careers intake, you’ll join a community of around 93 trainees including Industrial Placements, Graduates, and Apprentices.

During your placement, you’ll be based at our Bentley Campus "Dream Factory". Click here to visit our virtual tour. Alongside hands-on work experience, you’ll also benefit from:

- CSR and outreach activities

- Opportunities to participate in charity events, community projects, and social committees

- Masterclasses, development workshops, and social events

- Inclusivity networks and peer support groups

- Placements and rotations across different areas of the business that interest you

About the role:

As an Industrial Placement Student at Bentley, you will play a key part in Bentley’s journey to extraordinary vehicles for our customers. Based out of our state-of-the-art headquarters in Crewe, you will:

As a Manufacturing Strategy & Systems Industrial Placement Student, you will support the development and delivery of Bentley's Manufacturing Strategy and Bentley Manufacturing System (BMS). Through a combination of strategic projects, digital transformation initiatives, and cross-functional rotations, you will gain exposure to how Manufacturing delivers operational excellence today while shaping the vision for tomorrow. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop skills in strategy, data analytics, continuous improvement, project management, and stakeholder engagement within a world-leading luxury automotive manufacturer. The result will be identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements across different departments, providing local support and development through the change.

Your main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Support the identification and delivery of process efficiency and performance improvement opportunities across Manufacturing.

- Contribute to the development and implementation of AI and digital solutions that enhance operational effectiveness.

- Assist with the deployment and governance of the BeyondWINGS Manufacturing Strategy and Bentley Manufacturing System (BMS).

- Analyse data and trends to generate insights that support strategic decision-making.

- Engage with stakeholders across Manufacturing to support continuous improvement and business transformation initiatives.

About the Department:

This role will be based within the Manufacturing Strategy & Systems team, providing a home function throughout the placement. To support your development and broaden your understanding of the business, the placement will include a number of structured rotations across Manufacturing, offering valuable exposure to a wide range of operational areas and stakeholders.

The Manufacturing Strategy & Systems team is responsible for translating Bentley's Beyond100+ business strategy into actionable manufacturing priorities through the BeyondWINGS Manufacturing Strategy. Our long-term strategic ambitions are enabled by strong operational foundations, underpinned by the Bentley Manufacturing System (BMS).

As a team, we define the future direction of Manufacturing by identifying strategic opportunities, driving continuous improvement, and enabling transformation across the business. At the same time, we maintain and develop the systems, standards, and governance frameworks that support operational excellence, ensuring Manufacturing remains efficient, effective, and aligned to Bentley's long-term vision.

We shape the future of Manufacturing while providing the systems, standards, and governance that enable operational excellence today.

What we are looking for:

The successful candidates will be on track to achieve a 2:1 in the following degrees:

Business Management // Operations Management // Data Analytics or Science // Business Analytics or other related disciplines

Skills required for the role:

- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability

- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills; Power BI desirable

- Excellent communication and presentation skills

- Ability to interpret and visualise data effectively

- Strong organisational and project management skills

- Interest in manufacturing, strategy, and continuous improvement

- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across functions

- Curiosity to explore new technologies including AI and digital tools

What we offer:

As an Industrial Placement you will have access to the following benefits:

- A starting salary of £25,500

- Support from our Early Careers team and 121 manager mentorship

- 35 days’ holiday inclusive of bank holidays

- 10% pension contribution with life assurance benefits

- Learning and development opportunities

Right To Work:

To be eligible for an Early Careers programme you must have a legal right to work in the UK for the duration of the placement or graduate scheme. We welcome students who have Settled Status, a Tier 4 Visa, or a Graduate Visa. We are unable to offer sponsorship for our Early Careers positions.

#BelongingAtBentley
Motivated to be the most diverse, inclusive luxury car company, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals are respected, valued, and empowered.

We firmly believe in equal opportunities for all, helping all colleagues thrive as their authentic selves and reach their highest potential. We believe that everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs, belongs at Bentley. Everyone is entitled to respect and dignity and we positively celebrate the differences between people.

Working at Bentley

To learn more about what life is like working at Bentley, and our assessment process view our Candidate Pack here.

The application process:

- Submit your application, including your CV and Cover letter,

- Applications will be screened by our HR team and the Hiring Manager,

- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by our recruitment team and invited to attend an online Assessment between 9th – 27th November,

- Candidates successful at assessment stage will receive an offer shortly afterwards.

- All applicants will be kept informed throughout the recruitment process

Closing date: Friday 23rd October 2026

Click here to view our FAQs

#LI-CH1