At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Technical team and lead exciting projects in the food industry.
- Company: Yeo Valley, a proud independent British food business.
- Benefits: Competitive holiday allowance, healthcare plan, and subsidised products.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and development in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment while making a positive impact.
- Qualifications: Studying a food-based degree with a passion for the industry.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 25000 £ per year.
Placement Overview
Thinking of a career in food? Looking for an exciting year in industry for your technical placement from this Summer, 2026? We have an opportunity to join the Technical team in the beautiful South West, at our Crewkerne site. This placement starts in summer 2026 for a 12 month contract. Technical is made up of Quality, Laboratory and Compliance, who all ensure the safety and legality of our delicious products, from super thick yogurt to vegan and vegetarian soups, enjoyed by over 9 million households a year. Working closely with your dedicated mentor, you’ll gain invaluable experience and insight into a distinctive, proudly independent food business. From our farming roots, we know first‑hand the impact climate change is having on our planet. At Yeo Valley, we want to nurture and nourish people and planet. This is why we’re committed to reducing our carbon emissions, tackling food waste and increasing the sustainability of our packaging. We’re passionate about regenerative farming practices and continually investing in green energy sources (such as our 10,000 solar panels across our sites).
Responsibilities
- Contributing to multiple ongoing key site projects and initiatives with an opportunity to lead a project of your own
- Gaining exposure to site manufacturing in a fast‑paced factory
- Carrying out GAP analysis and auditing compliance levels of factory documentation
- Assisting with customer visits
- Honing your investigative skills to resolve customer complaints
- Taking part in tasting panels - yum!
Qualifications
- You’ll be studying a relevant food‑based degree
- A demonstrable passion for food and the food industry
- Great organisational skills and communication skills
- Ability to think on your feet and solve problems
- A 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; we’re committed to ensuring all of our employees have the chance to grow
We’re independent, British and proud to be making the highest quality yogurts, desserts and ice cream under the Yeo Valley brand and for many of the UK’s major retailers. Operating from four dairies and two logistics centres in Somerset and Devon, we employ over 1700 staff and produce more than 25% of the UK’s packaged yogurt.
Unfortunately, we’re not able to provide employment sponsorship to candidates at this moment in time. We do not accept speculative agency applications; we will 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 Production Ltd
Yeo Valley is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in the food industry while working in the picturesque South West. With a strong commitment to sustainability and employee development, you will benefit from a supportive work culture, competitive benefits, and the chance to contribute to meaningful projects that impact both people and the planet. Join us for a rewarding year where your passion for food can flourish alongside a dedicated team in a proudly independent business.
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 Production Ltd 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 Production Ltd, 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 Production Ltd 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 Production Ltd’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 Production Ltd
✨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!
