Food technologist

As a food technologist, also known as a food scientist, you'll work on developing and manufacturing food and drink products. Your main aim will be to make sure the products are safe to consume and are made in an efficient and cost-effective way, while meeting technical and quality standards.

You may create new products and recipes or work on existing ones to improve or modify them in some way. This can include using newly discovered ingredients, or making changes to create, for example, fat-free versions or to improve the shelf life of an item.

You'll often work closely with product development teams to help deliver factory-ready recipes, based on development kitchen samples. Keeping up with ever-changing food production regulations will be an essential part of your job.

Your tasks and focus may vary depending on where you work, which can include food and drink manufacturing companies, universities, research associations, retailers and local authorities.

What does a food technologist do?

Tasks can vary depending on the area in which you're working, but typically you'll need to:

• audit suppliers or manage internal audits
• build relationships with suppliers and customers, and work with colleagues in other areas such as procurement, sales, technical services and marketing and distribution to ensure products are profitable
• check and improve safety and quality control procedures in your own and suppliers' factories, from the raw material stage through to the finished product
• compile, check and approve product specifications and ensure clear labelling
• conduct experiments and produce sample products
• coordinate launches of new products
• deal with any customer complaint investigations or product issues
• design the processes and machinery for making large batches of products with a consistent flavour, colour and texture
• ensure products and processes comply with environmental health, hygiene, health and safety regulations, and industry standards
• modify existing products and processes and develop new ones
• prepare product costings based on raw materials and manufacturing costs to ensure profitable products
• research current consumer markets and latest technologies to develop new product concepts
• select raw materials and other ingredients from suppliers
• undertake long-term projects with other departments, such as reducing waste by improving efficiency
• work on packaging innovation and technology.

How much do food technologists get paid?

• Starting salaries for graduate food technologists are around £23,000.
• With experience, you can earn between £28,000 to £45,000, with the average food technologist's salary being £32,500.
• Senior food technologists may earn more than £50,000 if they progress into technical or product-development management, develop specialist expertise or take responsibility for major projects, teams, suppliers and regulatory compliance.

Higher salaries usually bring increased managerial responsibility.

Depending on the employer, you may receive additional benefits, such as a performance-related bonus, private health plan, pension, company car (depending on the nature of the work) and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a food technologist work?

Working hours are typically around 40 hours a week. Work is usually carried out in factories but may also take place in an office, laboratory or kitchen. In the retail and public sector, you'll usually work Monday to Friday, possibly with some extra hours. However, in the private sector (for example in factories) shift work is usual right up until management level.

Travel within the working day may be required, particularly if you work in retail or for a local authority. Depending on the role, you may travel locally, nationally or internationally to visit suppliers' factories for auditing or sampling purposes, as well as warehouses and distribution centres. Overnight stays away from home may be common in some posts.

Part-time work and flexible hours may be available.

How do I become a food technologist?

You'll typically need a food-related degree for entry into this area of work, such as:

• food, nutrition and health
• food science and technology
• food technology and product development.

Other science subjects that may be helpful include physical, mathematical, life and medical science. In particular, subjects such as nutrition, microbiology, agricultural science and applied chemistry/biochemistry are useful.

Entry without a degree or HND is sometimes possible if you start as a lab technician or food technologist assistant. You may be able to move on to become a food technologist if you gain further qualifications and experience while working.

An alternative route into the career is to take an apprenticeship. Available options include a food technologist advanced apprenticeship (level 3) and a food industry technical professional degree apprenticeship (level 6). You could begin with the level 3 route and then continue onto the degree apprenticeship to get to the required level within the career. Or if you have the required GCSEs and A-levels, you can start directly on the level 6 route.

A postgraduate qualification is not necessary for entry but if you have an unrelated first degree, it can be helpful. Consider a subject such as food quality management. Choosing a relevant dissertation will also help to show your enthusiasm and commitment to the role. Search for postgraduate courses in food technology.

A list of accredited food-related degrees and Masters is available from the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST).

Key skills for a food technologist

You'll need to show:

• a genuine interest in science and how it is applied to food and cookery
• an awareness of the consumer market and customer profile
• customer service skills for dealing with complaints and questions from consumers
• high standards of cleanliness and the ability to adhere to strict hygiene rules
• process management and the ability to improve efficiency
• skills in recipe development.

Food technologist work experience

Work experience in the food manufacturing industry is advantageous. Try to gain as much practical experience as possible.

Some degrees offer a year's placement in industry, but you can also apply for summer work as a laboratory technician or on the production line in food companies. Make sure you network and make contacts while on placement. Technical experience in retail or manufacturing is also valuable.

Gaining student membership of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) is helpful for networking and finding out about potential work opportunities.

The IFST also runs the annual IFST Student LaunchPad event for food science students, which provides an insight into food related careers. It also organises various competitions and awards to help you develop your experience. Discover what the IFST can offer students and apprentices.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs food technologists?

It's possible to find work as a food technologist in a range of companies and organisations within the food industry across both the public and private sectors.

Job roles and titles vary widely and there is considerable crossover between the sectors. Typical sectors and jobs include:

• central government bodies - policy, administration and research
• education - teaching in schools, colleges and universities, being involved in teaching, training and research
• food and drink manufacturing companies - production, quality assurance and product development
• food processing and equipment manufacturing organisations - developing new equipment and production methods
• local authorities - food inspection, typically in an environmental health department
• research associations and technical consultancies - product and materials research, and specialist advice to industry sectors
• retailers and supermarket chains - quality assurance, new product development, buying, marketing and packaging.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Foodmanjobs
• Grocer Jobs - also provides grocery-industry news, market analysis, supplier rankings and coverage of new products and brands.
• The People Co.

Recruitment agencies such as b3 jobs and MorePeople also commonly handle vacancies.

Companies advertise vacancies directly on their websites, so keep up to date with employers you're interested in working for. You can search for academic research roles on jobs.ac.uk food science page.

Competition is strong for posts with large well-known companies, which typically start recruitment in the autumn/spring term of your final year. It's also worthwhile making speculative applications to companies. If you're flexible about location, you'll benefit from this when looking for jobs.

What does career development look like for a food technologist?

Some major employers run graduate training schemes. If you have a degree in a different science discipline such as microbiology or biotechnology, you'll usually get additional training from your employer.

With experience, you can progress to senior or management roles with responsibility for staff, resources and strategy. A typical career path is:

• development technologist
• senior development technologist
• project leader (lead food technologist)
• new product development manager.

You could also specialise in areas such as quality or process management, or move into business development or sales.

Larger companies may offer more opportunities to move between functions, while small and medium-sized employers can provide broader experience and greater responsibility earlier in your career. Progression may involve changing employer or relocating.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is important for keeping your technical knowledge and understanding of food safety regulations up to date. The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) offers guidance on planning and recording CPD, including work-based learning, professional activity, formal education and self-directed learning.

You may also take short courses in areas such as food hygiene, meat safety, advanced baking, science and technology, or sales and marketing. Employers may fund relevant training.

Postgraduate study can help you specialise or progress into areas such as:

• food biotechnology or bioscience
• food chain systems
• food production management
• food safety or quality management
• food science or technology
• nutrition and food sciences.

The IFST also offers Professional Recognition as a Registered Scientist (RSci) or Chartered Scientist (CSci) may also support career progression.

To move into food inspection or food standards work, you may need relevant training accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) or the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).