Graduate Food Technologist (Quality, NPD & Technical)
Location: Cheshire, Northwest (commutable from Chester, Deeside, Wirral, Runcorn, Wrexham)
Salary: Up to £30,000 + Bonus + Excellent Development

Are you a recent Food Science, Food Technology or Nutrition graduate ready to launch your career in the food industry?

We’re recruiting a Graduate Food Technologist on behalf of a growing food ingredients business supplying customers in over 40 countries worldwide.

Despite its international reach, this isn't a corporate giant. It's a small, agile business where you'll quickly get to know everyone – and they'll get to know you. You won't just be a face in the crowd.

That agility extends to the role itself. If you're looking for a highly structured graduate programme with rigid boundaries, this probably isn't for you. But if you want real exposure, faster development, greater responsibility and a broader remit than most graduate roles can offer, read on.

The Role - Graduate Food Technologist

You’ll begin in the Quality team:

• Work with product specifications, customer questionnaires and technical documentation
• Support compliance activities and audit preparation
• Develop strong attention to detail in a regulated food environment
• Progress to leading smaller audits (e.g. Kosher, Halal) within your first year!

You’ll also spend time in New Product Development (NPD):

• Support sample preparation and lab trials
• Assist in developing commercially viable food products
• Translate customer requirements into technical solutions
• Travel to visit customers at their manufacturing sites (including internationally)!

Along the way, you’ll build Regulatory knowledge:

• Build knowledge of food labelling regulations and HACCP
• Become part of the internal HACCP team
• Gain exposure to food safety and compliance processes

In short, this is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience across three critical functions – Quality, NPD and Technical. Once you've developed a clearer sense of where you'd like your career to go, the business will support you in taking that next step.

About You

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition or related scientific discipline
• Passion for the food industry – graduates who haven’t done a food-focused degree will have to prove this passion!
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• High attention to detail
• Proactive, motivated and keen to learn

What’s on Offer

• Starting salary up to £30,000
• Bonus eligibility (after year one)
• Extensive training and development
• Clear progression opportunities
• 24 days holiday (increasing with service)
• Broad exposure across QA, NPD and Technical functions

Location & Eligibility

• Based in the Northwest
• Must be within commuting distance or willing to relocate
• Due to the location, a driving license and your own vehicle will be essential
• Available to start July / August 2026
• Must have the right to work in the UK (no sponsorship available, either now or in the future)

Why Apply?

This isn’t a rigid graduate scheme - it’s an opportunity to gain real industry experience, faster responsibility and broader exposure than most graduate roles in food manufacturing.

If you're looking to build a career in Quality, Technical or NPD but you’re not quite sure which direction you’d like to take your career, this role offers the perfect foundation.

Apply now to kick-start your career in the food industry.

Other suitable skills and experience include: Graduate Food Technologist, Graduate Food Scientist, Food Technology Graduate, Food Science Graduate, Graduate NPD Technologist, Graduate QA Technologist.

Contact information

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