Product Development Graduate Programme 2027 for the UK chilled and grocery Food Market

Product Development Graduate Programme 2027 for the UK chilled and grocery Food Market

Internship 20250 - 24750 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our programme to create delicious food products from concept to supermarket shelves.
  • Company: Greencore, a leading food manufacturer with a vibrant culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation assistance, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Gain hands-on experience across various locations and build a strong professional network.
  • Why this job: Turn your passion for food into a rewarding career in Product Development.
  • Qualifications: Minimum 2:2 degree in Food Science or related field; relevant work experience preferred.

The predicted salary is between 20250 - 24750 £ per year.

Turn Your Passion for Food into Products People Love If you're curious about food, excited by new ideas and want to understand how great products make it from an initial concept onto supermarket shelves, our Product Development Graduate Programme is designed for you.

This programme is designed to develop the next generation of Product Developers, equipping you with the technical, culinary, consumer and commercial skills needed to succeed in the food industry.

Over three years, you'll build the skills and experience needed for a successful career in Product Development.

You'll learn how to take a product through the complete development journey, from food trends, insight and idea generation through recipe development, customer presentation, factory trials and ultimately launch.

You'll work as part of customer and product-focused teams alongside experienced Product Developers, Chefs and colleagues from across our wider business.

Most importantly, you'll gain hands‑on experience.

You'll be encouraged to bring your own ideas, challenge thinking and develop your creativity as your knowledge and confidence grow.

Your Three-Year Journey

The programme consists of three 12-month placements across different Greencore locations throughout the UK.

This will provide exposure to a variety of customers and product categories, helping you build broad category knowledge, customer understanding and a well‑rounded view of the business.

Year 1 - Build the Foundations

You'll learn how our development process works, build your knowledge of ingredients and manufacturing, and support products through the development cycle.

Working alongside experienced colleagues, you'll start to develop your technical, culinary, sensory and commercial understanding while gaining valuable hands‑on experience.

Year 2 - Take Ownership

With the foundations in place, you'll start to take greater ownership.

You'll become more involved in developing recipes and concepts, working with customers and suppliers, supporting factory trials and supporting products towards launch.

You'll continue to build your understanding of what makes a product not only delicious, but commercially and operationally viable at scale.

Year 3 - Operate as a Product Developer

Your final year is about preparing you for the next stage of your career.

You'll take ownership of development projects, working with increasing autonomy while collaborating with customers and cross‑functional teams.

You'll leverage consumer trends, market insight and Greencore's manufacturing capabilities to develop commercially successful products.

By the end of the programme, you'll have the experience, confidence and capability to progress into a Product Development role within Greencore.

More Than On-the-Job Experience

Alongside your placements, you'll take part in a structured development programme designed to broaden your knowledge of both food and business.

  • This will include specialist development and learning opportunities in areas such as:
  • Culinary skills and food inspiration
  • Sensory evaluation
  • Category management and consumer insight
  • Commercial awareness and costing
  • Leadership and personal development
  • Ingredient and supplier workshops
  • Manufacturing processes and capabilities

What You'll Experience During the programme, you could be involved in

  • Exploring food trends and identifying new product opportunities
  • Generating and developing new product concepts
  • Creating and refining recipes
  • Collaborating with chefs, suppliers and ingredient partners to create and refine products
  • Preparing products and supporting documentation for customer presentations
  • Supporting customer presentations, innovation sessions and product submissions
  • Participating in sensory evaluation and product benchmarking
  • Working cross‑functionally with Technical, Operations, Commercial, Process, Purchasing and other teams
  • Supporting products through to launch
  • Seeing products, you've helped develop reach supermarket shelves

It's an opportunity to understand the entire product development journey while building a strong network across Greencore.

The Support You'll Receive

We want you to succeed, so you'll have a strong support network throughout the programme.

  • Dedicated Programme Champion - A key contact for your functional Graduate Programme who will support your development throughout the three years.
  • Mentor - Additional guidance and support as you build your career.
  • Line Manager - Regular feedback, performance reviews and support to help develop your skills and knowledge.
  • Graduate Cohort - You'll join a cohort of graduates, giving you the opportunity to learn together, share experiences and build a network across the business.
  • Greencore Network - Through your placements, training and site visits, you'll build relationships with colleagues and specialists from across our food categories and functions.

Where Could It Take You?

The Graduate Programme is the start of your Product Development career with Greencore.

By the end of your three years, you'll have experienced different products, customers and manufacturing environments and developed an understanding of how to turn a great food idea into a successful product at scale.

From there, you'll be ready to continue developing your career within our Product Development teams, with opportunities to grow your experience, responsibility and leadership capability.

If you're passionate about food, curious about consumer trends, and excited by the challenge of creating products that consumers love, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us, build your career with Greencore, and play a part in making every day taste better.

Relocation financial assistance - Any relocation payments made will be paid back in October2027! Additional holiday purchase scheme, pension scheme and access to employee benefits.

We’re looking for graduates who are genuinely excited by food, ingredients, innovation and creating products consumers will love.

  • Degree - Achieved, or expected to achieve, a minimum 2:2 honours degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, Culinary Innovation or a related discipline.
  • Experience - At least three months' relevant work experience.
  • Passion for Food - A genuine curiosity about food, trends, ingredients and how products are created.
  • Motivation - A clear commitment to developing a career within the food industry and Product Development.
  • Flexibility - A willingness to complete three 12-month placements at different Greencore locations across the UK.
  • Right to Work - You'll need the right to work in the UK for the duration of the three-year programme from September 2027.

Candidates with a Master's degree will be considered, provided their undergraduate degree is in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition Culinary Innovation, or another relevant food-related discipline.

You may not have heard of us, but we’re sure you’ve tried our products.

Greencore is a vibrant, fast‑paced leading food manufacturer.

We employ c.11,800 colleagues across 16 manufacturing sites, and we supply all the UK’s food retailers with everything from sandwiches, soups and sushi to cooking sauces, pickles and ready meals.

In fact we reckon you’ll have consumed at least one of our products in the last four weeks.

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Product Development Graduate Programme 2027 for the UK chilled and grocery Food Market employer: Tussell Limited

Pulsion Technology is an exceptional employer for graduates seeking to launch their careers in B2B technology sales. With over 30 years of experience, we offer comprehensive training and development opportunities, a supportive work culture, and the chance to engage with cutting-edge technologies like AI and automation. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while fostering collaboration in our Glasgow office, making it an ideal environment for ambitious individuals eager to grow professionally.

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Contact Details:

Tussell Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Product Development Graduate Programme 2027 for the UK chilled and grocery Food Market

Get Involved in University Projects

Check out any food science projects or research happening at your university. Getting involved can help you make connections with professors and industry professionals, plus you can showcase your hands-on experience when chatting with potential employers like Tussell Limited.

Attend Food Science Conferences

Look out for local food science conferences or workshops. These are perfect opportunities to meet professionals in the field, and who knows, you might even bump into someone from Tussell Limited! Don't forget to bring your business cards.

Leverage Social Media Platforms

Join food science groups on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter. Engage with posts, share interesting articles, and connect with industry leaders. This not only keeps you updated but also puts you on their radar when they're looking for interns at Tussell Limited.

Use Your University Career Services

Don't underestimate your university's career services! They often have exclusive links to internships in food science and can help you with mock interviews, ensuring you're all set when applying for that golden spot at Tussell Limited.

We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Graduate Programme 2027 for the UK chilled and grocery Food Market

Culinary Skills
Food Trend Analysis
Recipe Development
Sensory Evaluation
Category Management
Consumer Insight
Commercial Awareness

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Relevant Coursework:When applying for an internship in food science technology, it’s a great idea to highlight your relevant coursework and projects. Make sure to mention any specific classes or labs that tie back to the strengths of the role at Tussell Limited. This helps us see your academic foundation and how it relates to practical applications in the field!

Include Technical Skills and Tools:Don’t forget to list your technical skills that are specific to food science technology—this could include food safety standards, analytical lab techniques, and any software you're savvy with, like statistical analysis tools. This kind of detail tells us you're not just a student, but someone ready to hit the ground running.

Express Your Enthusiasm for Learning:In your cover letter, make sure to convey your passion for food science and technology. As an intern, we're keen to see how eager you are to learn from the team at Tussell Limited. Highlight any relevant projects or experiences that sparked your interest; it'll help us understand your motivation and potential.

Tailor Your Documents for the Role:Make it personal! When you apply through our website, tailor your CV and cover letter to the internship at Tussell Limited. Mention specific skills or experiences that match the job description, and don’t hesitate to share why you want to jump into this particular role. A tailored application shows us you've put in the effort and are genuinely interested!

How to prepare for a job interview at Tussell Limited

Get Ready for Practical Challenges

In the food science and technology field, you might face practical challenges during your interview. Brush up on your knowledge of food safety regulations, preservation techniques, and quality control processes. We could even find some mock scenarios you can practise with to show off your problem-solving skills!

Know Your Tools and Techniques

Familiarise yourself with the tools and techniques commonly used in food technology interviews. For example, be prepared to discuss things like sensory evaluation methods or how to conduct shelf-life testing. Showing that you're hands-on and technically savvy can really make you stand out as an intern!

Show Your Passion for the Industry

Since this is an internship, the interviewers are likely looking for your enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Share your experiences, be it projects from your studies or any work experience related to food science that sparked your interest. It’s all about showing that you’re keen to grow in this field!

Prepare Your Questions on Learning Opportunities

An internship is all about growth, right? So, ask questions about training, mentorship, and any projects you'd be involved in. This not only shows your eagerness to learn but also helps you gauge if the internship at Tussell Limited aligns with your career goals!