At a Glance
- Tasks: Join Nestlé's R&D team to innovate and renovate exciting confectionery products.
- Company: World's largest food and drink manufacturer with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working, expert mentorship, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with diverse teams and global stakeholder engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on beloved brands like KitKat while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Background in food with curiosity and passion for consumer insights.
The predicted salary is between 19350 - 23650 £ per year.
Work Pattern: Full time, 5 days per week in the office.
Are you looking for a placement scheme that will empower you to unlock your potential whilst working for the world’s largest food and drink manufacturer? If so, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!
When you join Nestlé’s Research & Development Product Experience Placement scheme, you will embark on an exciting 12-month development journey based at our Product Technology Centre in York, gaining hands‑on experience in product innovation and renovation with the consumer at the heart. You will work on exciting confectionery projects, collaborate with different teams and have an impact on brands such as KitKat and many more.
You will be part of a vibrant, diverse environment where expertise and passion come together to solve problems through innovation and create products designed to delight consumers. Based in York, you’ll work alongside teams of engineers, technologists, confectioners, technicians and nutritionists, made up of over 30 nationalities. With the support of expert mentors, you’ll collaborate with teams across different parts of the business and engage with stakeholders globally to deliver meaningful results. You’ll also have opportunities to visit factories and sites across the UK and beyond to understand how consumer and sensory insights help us create the best product experience.
This role will support the development of your collaboration and influencing skills, using best‑in‑class analytical methods as you participate in projects led by experts who are ready to share their experience and knowledge.
What makes this Research & Development Product Experience Scheme exciting?
- Consumer-focused innovation‑renovation: Explore how sensory and consumer insights shape product innovation and renovation across some of Nestlé’s much‑loved brands.
- Expert mentorship: Work alongside experienced specialists who will share their knowledge and support your development throughout the scheme.
- Impactful projects: Contribute to projects that update and build methodologies and guidelines for future product development.
- Cross‑functional exposure: Collaborate with teams across R&D, manufacturing and the wider business, building your understanding of how different functions work together.
- Global stakeholder engagement: Develop your confidence working with stakeholders across the business and wider Consumer and Sensory Insights network.
What will you learn?
- Consumer and sensory insight foundations: Build your understanding of how consumer needs, sensory science and data help inform product development decisions.
- Analytical thinking: Apply best‑in‑class analytical methods, including statistical analysis, to support meaningful product insights.
- Collaboration and influencing: Develop your ability to work with different teams, share recommendations and influence stakeholders effectively.
- Innovation and problem‑solving: Learn how to identify opportunities, solve challenges and contribute practical insight‑led solutions.
- Continuous learning: Take ownership of your development through mentoring, graduate activities and hands‑on project experience designed to help you learn, innovate, solve and inspire.
Our commitment to you:
- Flexible working options
- Inclusive culture, join our variety of employee run networks!
- Pastoral support
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Prayer rooms
- Rewards and recognition
Eligibility requirements
You will need to have the right to work in the UK that is not time‑limited and does not require sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route either at the start of the scheme or on completion. To qualify for this role, we ask that you have a background in food, ideally with some knowledge of sensory and consumer insights, including statistical analysis. Most importantly, we are looking for candidates with potential, curiosity and a passion for the role. We welcome applications from all backgrounds — just be yourself and show us what you’ve got.
Adjustments
We recognise that each candidate has unique needs, and we are committed to ensuring an inclusive application process. You will have the opportunity to discuss any specific requirements or adjustments you may need as you navigate through our recruitment process.
At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect – for our employees, our customers and our consumers. That’s why championing diversity and inclusion is so important to us. When we embrace different perspectives and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our business. We are committed to equal opportunity for all and we may collect relevant data for monitoring purposes during our candidate registration process.
Product Experience Placement (opens in new tab) employer: Nestlé SA
Nestlé Professional is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a hybrid working model with flexible days in our vibrant Gatwick office. With a generous benefits package including a competitive salary, substantial pension contributions, and a strong focus on personal development, we foster a dynamic work culture that values diversity and inclusion, ensuring every team member can thrive and contribute to our ambitious sustainability goals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Experience Placement (opens in new tab)
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Don’t miss out on food science and technology conferences or local meetups! These events are prime opportunities to meet industry professionals, learn about the latest trends, and maybe even impress potential employers like Nestlé SA with your knowledge and enthusiasm.
✨Join Food Tech Communities
Dive into online communities and forums specifically for food science and technology. Platforms like Food Science & Technology Association or even LinkedIn groups can provide access to job postings and insider tips that are tailored to our field. It's a great way to get noticed by actual hiring managers!
✨Utilise University Resources
As you’re aiming for a placement, make the most of your university's career services. They often have relationships with companies looking to hire students for placements—keep an eye out for those connections and specific application windows!
✨Make Your Passion Visible
Showcase your passion for food science and technology through projects or research you’ve done, even if they're just class assignments. Create a simple portfolio or blog to put your work out there. When you apply to Nestlé SA, these can really help you stand out as not just a candidate, but someone who truly loves the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Experience Placement (opens in new tab)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Foodie Knowledge!:For a food science technology placement, we need to see your passion for all things food-related. Use your cover letter to highlight relevant projects or coursework, like food safety or product development. Let your enthusiasm for food innovation shine through!
Get Technical with Your CV:Make sure your CV includes specific technical skills relevant to food science technology, like analytical techniques or laboratory skills. If you’ve worked with any food processing software or have hands-on experience with food quality testing, shout about it – it's what sets you apart!
Highlight Your Team Work and Communication Skills:In the food science field, teamwork is crucial! Make sure you mention any group projects or experiences you’ve had in labs or classes. Employers like Nestlé SA want to see you can communicate effectively – especially when collaborating on projects.
Tailor Your Application for the Role:Every placement is different, so we should tailor your application to Nestlé SA’s specific needs. Take some time to research their work and values; then weave that understanding into your cover letter and CV. It’ll show them you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nestlé SA
✨Show Off Your Lab Skills
In the food science and technology field, hands-on lab skills are super valuable. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used or experiments you've conducted during your studies. If you have any relevant lab experience from your coursework, definitely bring that up!
✨Know Your Food Safety Standards
Interviews in food science often touch on regulations and safety standards like HACCP or ISO 22000. Brush up on these as they might ask you how you've applied or would apply these in your work. Showing that you're familiar with these concepts can really set us apart from other candidates!
✨Demonstrate Your Learning Agility
With this being a placement, the interviewers are likely to focus on your willingness to learn and adapt. Be ready to talk about how you've tackled challenges in your studies and how you approach new topics. We want to give them the confidence that you’ll be eager to soak up all the knowledge you can!
✨Prepare Case Studies on Food Innovation
Having a couple of real-world examples ready about recent innovations or technologies in food science can be a game-changer in your interview. Think about trends like plant-based alternatives or food preservation techniques. This shows you’re not just book smart but also up to date with industry developments, which is crucial for us in a placement role!
