Food Industry Technologist Apprentice

Summary

Are you passionate about food and science? Do you want to help shape the future of iconic British brands like Mr Kipling? We’re looking for an enthusiastic Apprentice Food Technologist to join our expert technical team at our Carlton site.

Wage

£24,761.36 a year

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A competitive salary, increasing each year based on successful academic and practical progress

Training course

Food industry technologist (level 3)

Hours

Still to be agreed.

39 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 9 September 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Food legislation and industry regulations
Processing standards and manufacturing systems
Ingredient and raw material functionality
Product sampling, microbiology, nutrition, and sensory evaluation
Data interpretation and problem-solving
Quality control and continuous improvement

Where you'll work

Fish Dam Lane
Carlton
Barnsley
S71 3HF

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN

Your training course

Food industry technologist (level 3)

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What you'll learn

Course contents

Implement and maintain risk management systems (for example, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).
Review and maintain technical procedures for food businesses.
Use a range of IT systems to analyse and interpret data to identify trends and drive Continuous Improvement (CI).
Provide and interpret management data and information (reports and presentations).
Conduct sensory evaluation activities.
Contribute to Continuous Improvement (CI).
Develop and maintain effective relationships with customers, suppliers and colleagues.
Use problem solving techniques and investigation methods, including root cause analysis.
Influence and negotiate with colleagues and stakeholders.
Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders using technical language and methods appropriate to the audience.
Check raw materials, packaging and finished product quality against legislative requirements and specification.
Monitor and review manufacturing standards and parameters.
Support trials on new and existing products.
Investigate product non-conformance and recommend corrective action.
Contribute to the development and innovation of new and existing products.
Plan and produce samples suitable for all stages of the new and existing development process.
Contribute to the creation of product specifications and label content.
Contribute to the identification and selection of parameters for sensory analysis and shelf life evaluation.
Apply agreed standards to compare and evaluate against samples.
Compile product costings.
Conduct food product audits against standards and recommend areas for improvement.
Conduct food process audits against standards and identify non-conformities and recommendations for improvement.
Measure environmental conditions throughout the food manufacturing process and escalate non-conformities that could impact food safety and product quality.
Evaluate raw materials against agreed parameters and report non-conformities.
Measure and evaluate adherence to quality processing systems and standards.
Identify and communicate products and process issues and make recommendations for corrective action.
Oversee the implementation of corrective action to address product and process issues.
Carry out internal audits and participate in external audits.
Investigate and resolve problems, including customer complaints or quality issues.
Implement and maintain risk management systems (for example, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points).
Review and maintain technical procedures for food businesses.
Use a range of IT systems to analyse and interpret data to identify trends and drive Continuous Improvement (CI).
Provide and interpret management data and information (reports and presentations).
Conduct sensory evaluation activities.
Contribute to Continuous Improvement (CI).
Develop and maintain effective relationships with customers, suppliers and colleagues.
Use problem solving techniques and investigation methods, including root cause analysis.
Influence and negotiate with colleagues and stakeholders.
Communicate with colleagues and stakeholders using technical language and methods appropriate to the audience.
Check raw materials, packaging and finished product quality against legislative requirements and specification.
Monitor and review manufacturing standards and parameters.
Support trials on new and existing products.
Investigate product non-conformance and recommend corrective action.

Your training plan

As an apprentice, you’ll work towards completing the Level 3 Food Industry Technologist programme through the University of Lincoln (on block release), combining academic learning with real-world experience in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. Throughout the apprenticeship, you’ll build knowledge and hands-on skills.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4 or above)
Maths (grade 4 or above)
Science (grade 4 or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Analytical skills
Team working
Initiative

About this company

Premier Foods is one of Britain’s biggest listed food companies, employing over 4,500 colleagues at 13 manufacturing sites and offices up and down the country. Many of our brands have been part of UK life for more than a century and you’ll find them in 94% of British households. At Premier Foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.

Company benefits

Access to a range of employee benefits, including: Staff discount scheme. Onsite subsidised canteen. Company shop. ShareSave scheme. Cycle to Work scheme. Employee assistance programme. BOOST – our Apprentice Skills Development Network.

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Upon completion, apprentices can move into roles such as:

Food Technologist

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