At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop innovative coating systems for meat and meat-alternative applications.
- Company: Join Kerry, the world's leading taste and nutrition company.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the future of food in a global environment.
- Other info: Fast-paced, collaborative environment with travel opportunities across the UK & Ireland.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable nutrition and customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science or related field; experience with meat products.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.
We are looking for a Senior RD&A Technologist to join our Meat Coatings team, developing innovative coating systems for meat and meat-alternative applications. This is a hands-on, customer-facing role combining formulation expertise, pilot plant work, and direct collaboration with commercial teams to deliver market-leading solutions.
Key responsibilities- Develop, test, and optimise coating systems including batters, breadings, adhesion systems, glazes, and functional coatings
- Conduct benchtop experiments, sensory evaluations, and technical validations
- Deliver solutions that meet performance, quality, and cost requirements
- Execute coating trials using pilot-scale equipment (tumbler, applicator, fryer, oven, freezer, etc.)
- Simulate industrial processes to ensure scalability and robustness
- Generate data to support product performance and process optimization
- Support customer projects through sample preparation, technical demos, and plant trials
- Troubleshoot coating and processing challenges, providing practical recommendations
- Prepare technical presentations and contribute to customer meetings alongside commercial teams
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery against timelines and business priorities
- Maintain clear documentation and communication of project progress
- Strong attention to detail and technical curiosity
- Ability to work both independently and as part of cross-functional teams
- Strong organisational and project management skills
- Customer-focused mindset with a commercial perspective
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
- Willingness to travel within the UK & Ireland
- Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Culinary Science, or a related discipline
- Experience working with meat products and/or coating systems
- Hands-on laboratory and pilot plant experience
- Strong understanding of food processing, coating functionality, and frying/baking systems
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and data interpretation skills
- Experience supporting customer projects or production trials
- Knowledge of clean-label coatings, gluten-free systems, or plant-based technologies
RD&A Technologist employer: Kerry
Kerry is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment where you can contribute to the future of food. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with cross-functional teams and engage in hands-on projects that make a real impact. Located in a global setting, Kerry provides a culture of sustainability and creativity, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to drive meaningful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land RD&A Technologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that RD&A Technologist role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to food science and coating systems. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! When discussing your background, highlight specific projects where you developed or tested coating systems. We want to see your technical curiosity and problem-solving skills in action.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace RD&A Technologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the RD&A Technologist role. Highlight your experience with meat products and coating systems, and don’t forget to showcase any hands-on lab work you've done. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about food science and how you can contribute to our Meat Coatings team. Be sure to mention any relevant projects or experiences that demonstrate your technical curiosity and customer-focused mindset.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. Whether it's troubleshooting coating issues or optimising processes, we love to see candidates who can think on their feet and come up with practical solutions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kerry
✨Know Your Coatings
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of coating systems, especially those related to meat and meat alternatives. Be ready to discuss your experience with batters, breadings, and glazes, as well as any hands-on work you've done in pilot plants.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly around coating and processing issues. Kerry values practical recommendations, so think about how you approached these problems and what solutions you implemented.
✨Demonstrate Your Customer Focus
Since this role involves direct collaboration with commercial teams, be prepared to talk about how you've supported customer projects in the past. Highlight any technical demos or plant trials you've conducted and how they contributed to customer satisfaction.
✨Organise Your Thoughts
With multiple projects on the go, strong organisational skills are key. During the interview, show that you can manage timelines effectively. You might even want to share a brief overview of how you prioritise tasks and keep track of project progress.
