At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Technical team and contribute to exciting food projects while gaining hands-on experience.
- Company: Yeo Valley, a leader in sustainable food production with a commitment to people and planet.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive holiday, healthcare cashback, and learning opportunities while working with delicious products.
- Other info: Experience a fast-paced factory setting and lead your own project during this 12-month placement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry and develop your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Studying a food-based degree with a passion for food and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 25000 £ per year.
We are looking for a food‑based degree student to join our Technical team in the beautiful South West, at our Crewkerne site in Somerset. This placement starts in Summer 2026 and is a 12‑month contract. The Technical team comprises Quality, Laboratory and Compliance, ensuring the safety and legality of our products – from thick yogurt to vegan and vegetarian soups – enjoyed by over 9 million households a year. At Yeo Valley we nurture people and planet. We are committed to reducing carbon emissions, tackling food waste and increasing the sustainability of our packaging. We invest in regenerative farming practices and green energy (for example, we operate 10,000 solar panels across our sites).
Responsibilities
- Contribute to multiple ongoing key site projects and initiatives, with the opportunity to lead a project of your own
- Gain exposure to site manufacturing in a fast‑paced factory
- Carry out GAP analysis and audit compliance levels of factory documentation
- Assist with customer visits
- Hone investigative skills to resolve customer complaints
- Participate in tasting panels
Qualifications
- Currently studying a relevant food‑based degree
- Demonstrable passion for food and the food industry
- Strong organisational and communication skills
- Ability to think on your feet and solve problems
- Good eye for detail
- Confidence to liaise with people at all levels
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
Benefits
- Competitive holiday allowance
- Non‑contributory pension scheme
- Life cover
- Healthcare cash‑back plan
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme
- Subsidised Yeo Valley products and services
- Preferential rates with our partners
- Learning and development opportunities
Application Notes
Our closing dates are a guide for when the application window should close, although we may close the advert sooner. We are not able to provide employment sponsorship at this time. Please note that Yeo Valley do not accept speculative agency applications; we only accept applications from preferred suppliers that have been submitted to us via our recruitment portal at the point of instruction.
Undergraduate Technical Placement - Crewkerne employer: Yeo Valley Organic
Yeo Valley is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the picturesque South West at our Crewkerne site. We prioritise employee growth through hands-on experience in our Technical team, alongside competitive benefits such as a non-contributory pension scheme and learning opportunities, all while championing sustainability and innovation in the food industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Undergraduate Technical Placement - Crewkerne
✨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 Yeo Valley Organic 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 Yeo Valley Organic, 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 Undergraduate Technical Placement - Crewkerne
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 Yeo Valley Organic 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 Yeo Valley Organic’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 Yeo Valley Organic
✨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!
