NPD Technologist / Degree Apprentice
NPD Technologist / Degree Apprentice
Monday-Friday, 08:30-17:00
Cranswick Country Foods, Staithes Road, Preston, HU12 8TB
Cranswick is a leading UK food producer with revenue of over £2.9 Billion. We produce and supply premium food to high profile UK grocery retailers, the food service sector and other UK and global customers.
We are currently recruiting for an NPD Technologist / Degree Apprentice to join our New Product Development team at our Preston site near Hull (HU12 8TB). We welcome applications from experienced technologists, post-graduates, and/or recent college leavers seeking to develop through a degree apprenticeship. The successful candidate will support products from concept to launch, with responsibilities and development tailored to their experience and entry route.
Main Duties Include (but not limited to):
- Product development: Work with the NPD Chef and wider team to develop concepts that meet customer briefs, business needs and critical path timelines.
- Project support: Help manage projects from concept through trials, feasibility, handover and successful launch.
- Documentation: Accurately complete sample submissions, recipe records, development paperwork and launch packs.
- Testing and compliance: Coordinate shelf-life, chemical and cooking instruction requirements, supporting food safety, legal and customer standards.
- Benchmarking and trends: Run or support benchmarking panels and monitor market and pork product trends to inspire competitive ideas.
- Costs and suppliers: Consider commercial impacts, obtain raw material costs and brief suppliers within technical and operational requirements.
- Communication: Attend key NPD meetings and clearly communicate project updates across factory functions, sites and customers.
- Learning and development: Where appointed through the apprenticeship route, attend university, manage assignments and apply learning in the workplace.
- Health & Safety: Follow relevant HSE legislation, company policies, and site safety rules.
What We Look For:
- Experienced route: Food Technology degree or relevant equivalent, with previous NPD or product development experience. A Level 3 or 4 Food Safety certificate is desirable, or willingness to work towards one.
- Apprenticeship route: At least 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C or 9-4, including English, Maths and Science, plus a Level 3 qualification worth 96 or more UCAS points.
- For all applicants: Strong communication, organisation and IT skills, attention to detail, ability to manage priorities and a collaborative approach.
- Travel: Full UK/EU driving licence, or actively working towards one, due to cross-site and occasional customer travel.
What We Offer:
- Job stability at a growing and expanding company
- Strong commitment to progression and personal development
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Purchase company shares through discounted share scheme
- New canteen with freshly made breakfast and lunch options
- Company pension scheme - up to 10% matched contributions
Salary to be discussed at interview stage.
To apply, please submit your covering letter and CV to: [email protected]
Closing Date: Friday 16th October 2026
Please note that if a suitable candidate is found, this closing date may be brought forward
If you are an internal applicant, please ensure you have made your line manager aware before applying and confirm this when submitting your application.