Food
technologist: job description
Food
technologists are responsible for the safe and efficient development,
modification and manufacture of food products and processes.
What
does a food technologist do? Typical
employers |Qualifications
and training | Key
skills
Food
technologists plan the manufacture of food and drink products and can
work in a wide range of settings, including kitchens, factories,
laboratories and offices. Consequently, specific responsibilities
vary greatly but may include:
- generating new product ideas and recipes
- modifying and improving existing recipes
- designing processes and machinery for the production of recipes on a large scale
- liaising with marketing staff
- ensuring that strict hygiene food safety standards are met
- identifying and choosing products from suppliers
- monitoring the use of additives
- testing and examining samples
- writing reports
You
can find out more about this job role by reading our overview
of product
technology and food technology
Typical employers
Employers
of food technologists include food manufacturing and retail
companies, universities, government organisations and specialist
research associations/consultancies.
Opportunities
are advertised by careers services and recruitment agencies, and in
newspapers and specialist publications including Food
Manufacture,
both online and in print. Early applications are advisable to larger
employers. Speculative
applications are
also recommended, for which directories such as theIngredients
Network may
be useful.
There
are reasonable opportunities for advancement into senior
technologist/managerial positions, providing that employees are able
to change employer or to relocate if necessary.
Qualifications and training required
There
are routes into a food technology career for both university
graduates and school leavers. Graduates will need a degree in an
appropriate subject, such as food science/technology, food/chemical
engineering, biochemistry, nutrition, microbiology or chemistry.
Possession of a food-related postgraduate qualification can be
beneficial, particularly for candidates without a relevant first
degree. Job shadowing, networking and vacation placements can be
helpful, and candidates possessing food industry work experience are
often at an advantage. Experience can be gained via food production
line employment or by working as a technician.
As
a school leaver, you could get into this career through an
apprenticeship or an entry-level role. Unilever, for example, offers
a research and development higher apprenticeship, working on its food
and drink products. To find out more about how you can get into this
career via a school leaver route (eg an apprenticeship or school
leaver training programme) see the science
section of
TARGETcareers, our website aimed at school leavers.
- Find out how Vanessa Fursden got her job as a food technologist at Marks & Spencer and read hertop tips for landing a job in this area here.
Keys skills for food technologists
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Good teamworking abilities
- Confidence
- The ability to work independently
- Meticulous attention to detail, especially with regard to food hygiene and safety
- Strong analytical and numerical skills
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