Food Professional Apprenticeship (Level 6)

Apprenticeship - UK & Ireland 

FUNCTION: Level 6 Food Professional

To apply for this role, click this link to complete the application form.

Your Future Employer - Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home, and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 3.4 billion consumers daily.

Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, TRESemmé, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze, Vaseline, Sure, Wall’s, Colman’s and Pot Noodle.   

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the desire for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the planet's natural limits. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’.

What is the job? - Food Professional Apprenticeship (Level 6)

Our purpose is to create a brighter future with you and for you. That future begins in Food Research and Development (R&D). If you want to develop into your best self while being part of a global organisation that can take you in any direction, this is for you. 

There are always new ways for our products to improve the lives of our consumers and have a positive impact on the planet. In R&D you'll discover what consumers want and develop the technology to make our innovations come to life. Unilever R&D apprentices follow a structured programme that allows you to put your science education and passion into practice while getting a degree.  

What do we look for? - Food Professional Apprenticeship (Level 6)

As an R&D degree apprentice, we look for strong communication skills both verbal and written as apprentices may be required to write reports, emails or give presentations. The world of Food Research and Development is always evolving and being adaptable and flexible with a willingness to learn new things is key. Problem-solving skills, showing the ability to analyse situations, think critically, and propose possible solutions are key strengths in the R&D environment.

Good team working skills are important, as a global R&D centre we often work in cross-functional teams and across regions of the globe. Being able to collaborate with your team harmoniously is paramount. Good time management skills are also important, you must be able to meet deadlines, manage multiple tasks, and show initiative without needing constant supervision.  

Above all have a passion for food, an enthusiasm for learning, and a love of ice cream!

Day-to-day responsibilities? - Food Professional Apprenticeship (Level 6)

Our apprentices follow a structured and stimulating academic programme to achieve a BSc Honours degree in Foods Science & Technology aligned to the Foods Professional degree apprentice standard, as well as working on real projects with world-renowned scientists that deliver to some of the 2.5 billion consumers who use a Unilever product every day.   

As an R&D Degree Apprentice, you will work with the Colworth Research & Development teams, leading the way in developing new products in Ice Cream and Beverages. Over the 5 years you will study for a BSc while experiencing working in different aspects of Refreshment Research & Development, whether it is in the Ice Cream Global Design Centre to develop Ice Cream Products for the global market, designing and utilising new technology to develop products for innovations truly ahead of the competition; or in Beverages delivering world-class innovations in great tasting drinks that meet the vitality needs of our consumers or in the Science and Technology team whose aim is to be the primary source of sustainable, new science  bringing great inventions for Unilever long-term competitiveness.   

You will follow 4 placements (rotations): 1st 2 years in one team including a short-term placement in an Ice Cream Pilot Plant followed by 3 1-year rotations, enabling you to learn about a variety of roles within Ice Cream & Beverages R&D and gain the skills you will need as a Foods Professional/Foods scientist including Product development; Foods law and Nutrition; food safety.

What support do we offer? - Food Professional Apprenticeship (Level 6)

You will be allocated a buddy from our existing apprentices, who will support you during your first year with us. We also have a vibrant and supportive apprentice community at our site, and they arrange socials and charity events for you to get involved in.

What can Unilever offer YOU? - Food Professional Apprenticeship (Level 6)

• A competitive salary of £22,716.
• A pension scheme.
• A discounted staff shop.
• Subsidised gym memberships.
• Shares.
• 25 days of holiday allowance.
• Bonus opportunities.

Diversity at Unilever is about championing inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. To celebrate this, we have internal networks and communities created to raise awareness for a cause, which works to create change within the business. These networks include Proud, Empower, Enable and Unity and our communities include Thriving Parents, Carers, and All Inclusion Club.  

We give full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.   

We are a key advocate of well-being and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes, and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.  

Duration  

3-4 years.

Requirements

Have GCSEs including English Language and Maths at grade 5 or above. Have or are predicted a minimum of 3 A-levels or equivalent with grades of BBC or above including 2 STEM subjects.  

Locations

Hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days required weekly at our Colworth office.

Application Process - Food Professional Apprenticeship (Level 6)

Stage 1:

To apply for this role, click this link to complete the application form.

Complete the online application form and tell us about your motivation for choosing Unilever and your selected apprenticeship programme.

Stage 2:

Situational Judgment Test, which gives you realistic, hypothetical scenarios where you will be asked to identify the most appropriate response. You will also have a numerical and verbal reasoning test at this point.

Stage 3:

In-Person Discovery Centre, immersing yourself in business challenges and an interview.

Discovery Centres

Our discovery centres will be taking place on the 5^th of March 2025 at our Colworth Factory.

Closing date 

We will close for applications as soon as we receive enough applications for the business area. We, therefore, advise you to apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.  

If you have any questions about your application or if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to complete any part of the application process, please contact the Future Careers Team. If you would like to discuss any mitigating circumstances before making an application, please also contact the team using the following contact details:  

Phone: 020 3650 2304 or e-mail: [email protected].  

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Cybercriminals advertise fake job adverts with prestigious employers as a way of stealing information or even defrauding individuals out of money. In the most sophisticated cases, they will set up fake websites, which have a similar address to companies like Unilever. They even conduct fake telephone interviews and then offer candidates a role with the proviso they pay a fee for background checks or to cover work visa costs. These types of attacks are becoming more common as more people are looking for employment in the economic climate.  

How is Unilever tackling this?  

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scans for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and acts to close them down.  

What can I do?  

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat.  

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key!