A TASTE OF

CAREERSIN FOOD AND DRINK!

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Discover how your skills

can be used in the food

and drink sector…

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The food and drink manufacturing sector employs 400,000 people across a number of jobs - that’s more than double the size of the automotive industry (165,000 employed) and more than half the size of aerospace (108,000 employed).

UK food and drink manufacturing is economically strong and is set to grow 20% by 2020

We export over £12bn worth of UK-made food and drink products, such as biscuits, chocolates and cheese to countries as diverse as the USA, France, India and the United Arab Emirates.

By 2020 the sector will need over 170,000 new recruits

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DID YOU KNOW?

Check out the case studies in this booklet for examples of some of the juicy and tantalising

things you can get up to in food and drink...

Whether you’re thinking about becoming a scientist or an engineer, there’s loads of exciting things you could get up to using your skills in science, technology, engineering or maths.

From designing and installing high-tech robotics to working out how to make a biscuit that won’t go soggy in your tea, food and drink manufacturing is not only tasty, it’s creative, fast-moving and highly innovative as well.

Each year, the industry launches a whopping 6,000 - 8,000 new products on to the market. Each new food or drink you see on supermarket shelves will

have been created by scientists in new product development, bottled and boxed by packaging technologists and produced at a rate of several thousand per hour by engineers.

Food and drink is not only the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, employing nearly 400,000 people, it’s also part of a huge global industry offering worldwide careers opportunities as well as great training, development and competitive pay.

Whether you are looking for an apprenticeship or are planning to go to uni, food and drink manufacturing offers entry at all levels.

TASTE SUCCESS WITH A CAREER IN FOOD AND DRINK

Love food?

Love maths and science?

Then why not consider a career in

food and drink manufacturing –

IT’S CHOC FULL OF DELICIOUS OPPORTUNITIES!

CASE STUDY

After completing a four year Process Engineering

Apprenticeship with Cargill plc, I was offered my current role. With support from Cargill plc, I continued my studies and completed a foundation course in Electrical and Electronic Engineering; I’m now continuing these studies to degree level - allowing me to put the theory into practice.

My job varies from day to day; my main job is to ensure the safety, reliability and integrity of the high and low voltage distribution systems.

As well as keeping the current equipment in safe working order I also plan, design and execute projects for new installations and upgrades.

Since starting at Cargill plc, the skills that I have developed at

work had the same impact in my home life too. For example, I have an increased appreciation for safety and the environment, I have enhanced my communication skills and as a result, I have a lot more confidence. I have also become more practical and I’ve got the problem-solving skills needed to overcome any challenge that comes my way.

I would definitely recommend working in food and drink manufacturing. The world will always need food and drink, so this is definitely the place to be for a sustainable career option.

DOES ENGINEERING PLAY AN

IMPORTANT PART IN FOOD AND

DRINK MANUFACTURING?

YOU BET!

Luke Walsh

Trainee Electrical

Engineer

Cargill plc

Luke Walsh, a Trainee Electrical Engineer at Cargill plc hadn’t planned to work for the food and drink manufacturing industry, but he discovered that the industry has such a wide variety of opportunities that he decided to join the industry.

Cargill plc’s Manchester

plant operates a giant wheat

mill on the shipping canal,

which gobbles up 750,000

tonnes of Wheat per year,

which is more than 5% of the

country’s wheat crop.

DID YOU KNOW?

The world will always need food and drink, so this is definitely the place to be for a sustainable career option

ARE THERE MANY APPRENTICESHIP

OPPORTUNITIES IN FOOD AND DRINK

MANUFACTURING? ABSOLUTELY!

Paul Morgan

Maintenance Technician

Paul Morgan is a Maintenance Technician at Mondelez International’s Bournville factory – the home of Cadbury.

CASE STUDY

I have always been a hands-on person, so after

finishing school I knew the only way I wanted to progress professionally was with an apprenticeship and in an industry I could relate to.

After studying an engineering apprenticeship, I’m now a Maintenance Technician working across a range of engineering projects. My role is varied including; analysing breakdowns, managing critical spares, carrying out short term fixes and creating longer term solutions on the plants that make Cadbury Dairy Milk and Freddo.

I’ve gained many new skills since starting my career, every day I try and absorb as much new experience as possible.

On a personal level, I’ve grown in confidence and by working in a close team community I’ve developed my communication skills. You need to have the confidence to try new things and since two heads are often better than one in solving a problem, you have to be able to communicate with people around you.

My advice to anyone thinking of a career in food and drink

manufacturing is to go for it! I’ve learnt so much and I’ve got to work on some of the newest production technology making some much loved brands like the Cadbury Dairy Milk Marvellous Creations. When my friends talk about new products they have tried or seen on the TV I can say I’ve helped make them!

When my friends talk about new products they have tried or seen on the TV I can say I’ve helped make them!

DID YOU KNOW?Every 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 364 days a year. Every 24 hours, more than 400 million Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons are produced.

Mondelez International

During my degree I took the option to do

a placement year within the Operations division of PepsiCo to gain practical, hands-on work experience and to get an insight into the world of work.

As part of my placement year, I spent time working on data analysis to analyse the production process and ensure that everything ran smoothly.

I was exposed to so much responsibility that I was given the opportunity to build a computer software programme from scratch, which controls the seasoning application during the production process of Walkers crisps. My aspiration is that this new process will now roll out to every Walkers plant!

During my placement, I was thrilled to be offered a full time position at PepsiCo. One of the most important things that I have gained is the confidence to work in a business environment with people from a range of backgrounds and levels of experience. I’ve also learnt to work on challenging long-term projects that involve a lot of investigation and problem-solving.

At PepsiCo they believe that training and development is something that runs throughout the company as it strives to continually go one step further, something that I have ambitions of doing throughout my career!

IS IT CHALLENGING AND

REWARDING TO BE A GRADUATE

IN FOOD AND DRINK COMPANIES?

RESPONSIBILITY AND

DEVELOPMENT IS KEY!

Katherine Ebsworth

Process Specialist

PepsiCo UK and Ireland

Katherine Ebsworth got a placement to gain some real life experience at PepsiCo and has now progressed to a permanent role as a Process Specialist

It can take as little as 12

minutes for a potato that has

just arrived at a manufacturing

plant to become a bag of

crisps!

DID YOU KNOW?

CASE STUDY

I was exposed to so much responsibility that I was given the opportunity to build a computer software programme from scratch, which controls the seasoning application during the production process of Walkers crisps. My aspiration is that this new process will roll out to every Walkers plant!”

Louise Eaton

Food Scientist

Premier Foods

During her time at University, Louise Eaton combined her curiosity of science with her passion for food and completed her degree in Food Science. After completing her placement year at Premier Foods, it really opened her eyes to how dynamic food and drink manufacturing is.

I have always been fascinated by where food comes from, how it is processed into

the foods and how it arrives on supermarket shelves.

My job is so diverse - part of my time is spent managing the new product development process, and part being creative with the development of new products. I work cross functionally with different teams including marketing, operations, regulatory and the sensory team, to take products from concept to launch. Seeing products I’ve helped to develop on supermarket shelves really gives me a sense of achievement.

Since starting my career, I’ve certainly seen my day-to-day skills develop. I’ve become more organised and have developed a great eye for detail. My communications skills have vastly improved as I’m constantly liaising with different people in the business. I also have a much greater understanding of the technical processes involved in food production.

My advice to anyone considering a career in food and drink manufacturing is to get as much experience as possible. I’ve had the opportunity to visit a number of factories which has helped me to understand more about the industry and haven’t looked back since.

DID YOU KNOW?

In a day, the Premier Foods Factory in

Worksop, Nottingham can produce enough

OXO cubes which when placed end to end

can stretch from London to Cardiff!

CAN YOU COMBINE YOUR INTERESTS

IN SCIENCE WITH YOUR JOB IN FOOD AND

DRINK MANUFACTURING?

MOST DEFINITELY!

My advice to anyone considering a career in food and drink manufacturing is to get as much experience as

possible. I visited a number of factories to understand more about the industry and I haven’t looked back since”.

CASE STUDY

DO FOOD AND DRINK

MANUFACTURING PLACEMENTS

PROVIDE GREAT EXPERIENCE

FOR A CAREER? SPOT ON!

The food and drink sector is typically a fast moving business which makes it interesting and challenging as technology develops quickly

CASE STUDY

IS THERE REAL CAREER

PROGRESSION IN THE FIELD OF

ENGINEERING IN THE FOOD AND

DRINK MANUFACTURING SECTOR?

INDUSTRY IS CONSTANTLY

LOOKING FOR THE LEADERS OF

THE FUTURE

Danielle Esptein,

Supply Chain Graduate

Coca-Cola Enterprises

Danielle Epstein joined Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd on their University Talent Programme in Supply Chain after after studying a degree in Chemical Engineering.

The University Talent Programme is a three year scheme with yearly rotations across Supply Chain.

The three different roles will help me gain a wide skill set and a broad perspective of the many functions and areas of CCE’s dynamic Supply Chain. The objective of the scheme is to accelerate my development to support my career progression, enabling me to begin a career path towards becoming a future leader of the business.

My first role on the scheme is as an Asset Care System Supervisor, working in the Engineering Department. My main projects are around organising efficient and effective maintenance of some of our key production lines in the factory.

The food and drink sector is typically a fast moving business which makes it interesting and challenging as technology develops quickly and we

adapt to meet our customer’s needs.

Working in the food and drink manufacturing sector has meant I have dramatically improved my communication skills as I work with people at different levels of the business and with different objectives.

My influencing skills have also improved as I don’t have a direct team working for me in the engineering department and must rely on the operations team to help me with my work. Presentation and networking skills have also been improved as the graduate scheme gives me plenty of opportunities to present and meet the leaders of CCE’s business.

Top drinks producers use high speed

robotic equipment capable of filling cans

at a rate of 1,980 cans per minute on a

single filling machine. That’s an incredible

33 cans per second!

DID YOU KNOW?

DO FOOD AND DRINK

MANUFACTURING PLACEMENTS

PROVIDE GREAT EXPERIENCE

FOR A CAREER? SPOT ON!

Jess Anderson

Quality Assurance

Graduate

Nestlé UK

Jess Anderson studied a degree in Food and Nutrition and subsequently went on two industrial placements where she found her niche in food quality management.

CASE STUDY

IS THERE REAL CAREER

PROGRESSION IN THE FIELD OF

ENGINEERING IN THE FOOD AND

DRINK MANUFACTURING SECTOR?

INDUSTRY IS CONSTANTLY

LOOKING FOR THE LEADERS OF

THE FUTURE

Working in such a fast-paced environment helps you develop the skills to work effectively, meet deadlines and adopt a problem-solving attitude.

An incredible 17.6 billion KitKat

fingers are eaten across the

world every year - that’s over

550 KitKats a second!

DID YOU KNOW?

It was my passion for food that really drove my career in food and drink

manufacturing forward.

I began working at Nestlé as part of their Quality Assurance Graduate Scheme at the company’s confectionery production site at Fawdon where they make Rolos, Drifters and Breakaways.

I now work at Fawdon as a Shell Moulding Conformance Manager. My role is mostly technical and definitely exciting. I manage and drive improvement through quality standards and controls within the chocolate departments in the factory.

Working in such a fast-paced environment helps you develop the skills to work effectively, meet deadlines and adopt a problem-solving attitude.

Since starting my career at Nestlé, I have had amazing opportunities to network at all levels of the business, from graduate functions to events at Westminster Palace with members of the UK board of directors. This has really driven me to succeed in my current role.

I would advise anyone to consider a career in food and drink manufacturing’s industrial placement scheme, so they can learn about the different areas of business and find out what they really enjoy doing. Placements give you fantastic experience and the depth of knowledge required to work in this delicious and fast-moving global industry.

My role as a food technologist is hugely exciting

CASE STUDY

I have always been interested in how food is made, especially

after I studied health and food technology at High School. This led to me taking a HNC/HND course in Food Technology at college.

Working at Border Biscuits has really developed my skills; I am much more organised and knowledgeable in most aspects of the business. I am learning to manage a team and be responsible. My people skills have developed too as I’m constantly talking to different people within the business.

I am proud of many of things, but of particular importance is my involvement in the launch

of new products, especially the ‘Oatrageously Tasty’ range, where my name was mentioned on the packaging because I played a role in developing it.

My advice to anyone thinking of working in food and drink manufacturing is to try and get as much work experience as you can. It really gives you a flavour of what manufacturing is all about and the many different roles that are available.

EVER WONDERED WHETHER

WORKING AS A FOOD TECHNOLOGIST

CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON NEW

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND

PACKAGING? ABSOLUTELY!

Megan Brown

Food Technologist

Border Biscuits

As a Food Technologist for Border Biscuits, Megan Brown is responsible for ensuring that food safety standards are maintained to a high level throughout the production process - from the moment the ingredients enter the site to when the finished biscuits leave. Megan also plays a role in New Product Development.

DID YOU KNOW?

In our busiest season we produce between 45-48000 cases of biscuits a week!

If this sounds intriguing and you love maths and science, then the MEng Food Engineering degree at Sheffield Hallam University could be for you.

With the MEng Food Engineering degree, you will be well on your way

to a fantastic career with one of the UK’s best-loved food and drink brands. This exciting course has been designed together with top engineers at some of the UK’s most well-known food and drink companies.

Just some of the many fantastic brands supporting the course include the makers of Aunt Bessie’s Yorkshire puddings, Cadbury’s Dairy Milk, Lurpak butter and McCain oven chips.

howdo get

the

they bubblesin a

bar?chocolate

Students on the course will get:1. A Food and Drink Federation

bursary of £2,500 if they start the course in September 2014 and 2015.

2. The chance to work with some of the UK’s, and the world’s, greatest food and drink companies including: Arla Foods, Mondelez International, KP Snacks, Mars , Burton’s Biscuit Company, Nestlé UK, PepsiCo UK, Tate & Lyle Sugars and many more.

For the full list go to www.foodengineer.co.uk

3. The opportunity to apply for jobs exclusively on offer to course graduates (subject to final grades, references and employer recruitment processes)

4. Guaranteed, competitively-paid work placements whilst you study - the equivalent of up to £17,000 pro-rata

5. Access to the UK’s first national Centre of Excellence for Food and Drink Engineering, providing exposure to cutting-edge technology and the latest developments

6. A fast-track engineering career, graduating at master’s level and working towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, in the UK’s largest manufacturing sector

7. Expertise in mechanical engineering, process systems design and much more - gaining the industry’s most sought-after skills

ENGINEERING, THAT’S HOW!Did you know that one bubbly chocolate bar can

have more than 20,000 tiny air bubbles inside? Incredible really, and it is all down to engineering to get them all the perfect size.

Find out more at foodengineer.co.uk

#FoodEngineering www.facebook.com/UKFoodEngineer ukfoodengineer.tumblr.com/

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6 Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JJ020 7836 2460 tastesuccess@fdf.org.uk www.tastesuccess.co.uk www.fdf.org.uk

I was exposed to so

much responsibility

that I was given

the opportunity to

build a computer

software programme

from scratch, which

controls the seasoning

application during the

production process of

Walkers crisps. My

aspiration is that this

new process will roll

out to every Walkers

plant!”

search ‘taste success’

#tastesuccess

When my friends

talk about new

products they

have tried or seen

on the TV I can

say I’ve helped

make them!