Food Technical Degree Apprenticeship 2025

Summary

Our manufacturing sites are looking for motivated individuals with a keen interest in food science to join our technical team. You’ll earn whilst you learn, gaining hands-on experience and working toward a Level 6 degree in Food Technology, all while helping to deliver premium food products to some of the UK’s top supermarkets.

Annual wage

Competitive

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Highly competitive starting salary, paying on average 45% higher than national apprenticeship wage (18+)

Training course

Food industry technical professional (integrated degree) (level 6)

Hours

8am-5pm Monday to Friday, with 1 hour lunch break

40 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 1 September

Duration

3 years

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

As a degree apprentice, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to work alongside our experienced technical team and dive into the world of food production and innovation. Key tasks include:

Quality Assurance: Conduct checks on raw materials and finished products to ensure highest quality
Technical Support: Help resolve production challenges to keep our processes running smoothly
Innovation Projects: Support research and development efforts to bring new products to life
Compliance: Learn and help implement industry standards and regulatory compliance
Collaboration: Work with various teams, gaining insight into the process of best-quality food production

Where you’ll work

Brandon Road, Watton

Thetford

IP25 6LW

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY

Your training course

Food industry technical professional (integrated degree) (level 6)

Equal to degree

Course contents

Lead, develop and implement the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system and team on site
Interpret microbiological results; spot and analyse trends to diagnose or a nticipate issues; define and implement action plans
Develop product specifications taking into account the key risk factors in product design; ensure customer pre-requisites are implemented and followed
Manage, develop and implement internal audit schedule to ensure compliance with legal, industry and customer standards; keep abreast of new standards; credibly host third party audits
Select the most appropriate tools and methodology to demonstrate compliance, food safety culture and delivery of consistent quality of products
Establish cleaning and hygiene programmes and audit methodology; set up monitoring programmes; interpret data; identify different risk zoning in an operational area and the different hygiene requirements; manage internal and external cleaning contractors
Manage complaint performance through the identification of trends and the design of corrective action programmes to improve credibility with customer
Design and implement site procedures to ensure legal compliance with current food law; lead any investigation into legal contravention with the relevant enforcement authorities
Establish process parameters and control requirements; measure the impact of process on product, set limits and take action to deal with process and product non-conformance
Optimise and control parameters that influence common industry processes: washing, mixing, heating, cooking, cooling/chilling, freezing, drying, freeze drying
Be able to liaise and co-ordinate with other functions to deliver New Product Development projects. When appropriate take the lead and drive the project
Use project management tools to deliver projects to time, cost, specification and quality
Coordinate investigations into and responses to non-conformances and participate in incident management teams; implement incident management procedure
Review and select relevant scientific techniques taking into account cost and practicalities; experiment, collect and analyse data and formulate solutions
Manage supplier intake controls; carry out supplier a udit & performance reviews and risk assessment; maintain approved supplier, contractor and vendor performance process
Design and implement traceability system fully compliant with customer and legal requirements; monitor to verify validity of process
Lead and develop a small technical team on site
Develop and demonstrate critical evaluation/analysis of complex information and data

Your training plan

You will be required to attend Sheffield Hallam University on a series of 4-day study blocks.
The degree award is BSc (Hons) Professional Practice in Food Technology.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

A Level or equivalent in:

Science or Food Technology (grade BBC / Distinction Merit Merit)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

SHU Progress provides support for applicants whose personal circumstances might mean that there are barriers to going to university. For more information on the scheme, including how to join, please visit the website: www.shu.ac.uk/SHUprogress

About this company

Cranswick is a multi-site, leading UK food producer with a revenue of over £2.3 billion. Supplying high-quality food to major UK supermarkets, the food service sector, and customers worldwide, we are known for our commitment to quality and innovation. We believe in fostering new talent and supporting education to continually push boundaries in the food industry.

Company benefits

Company pension scheme Option to buy up to 5 days of additional holiday Company Share Save scheme Discount membership at major high street stores and supermarkets Cycle to work scheme

After this apprenticeship

Comprehensive individual training plan which will give you exposure to all Technical aspects of our business
Buddy programme ensuring all new Apprentices’ are partnered with previous/current apprentices’ to support and assist you
Opportunities to network with other Degree Apprentices’ from across the business

Ask a question

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