Kepak Food Safety & Quality (Technical) Graduate Programme 2027 - UK

Kepak Food Safety & Quality (Technical) Graduate Programme 2027 - UK

We are seeking to recruit for the 2027 Food Safety & Quality Graduate Programme at our location in McIntosh Donald, Portlethen, Scotland.

Role Purpose

The Graduate Scheme is designed to develop technical expertise within the meat processing industry, with a focus on Food Safety & Quality Control (QC). The role offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, Graduates will be trained to ensure the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and product quality, preparing them for potential future leadership roles such as a Site Technical Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• •Rotational Training: Participate in rotational placements across various technical departments, including Hygiene, Quality Control, and Production.

• •Quality Control: Conduct daily hygiene checks, product quality assessments, and equipment inspections to ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.

• •Issue Identification & Escalation: Identify potential quality issues during inspections and escalate them to the Line Manager (LM) or Technical Manager as required.

• •Data Analysis: Analyse quality control data to identify trends and implement corrective actions to maintain product standards.

• •Communication: Effectively communicate quality issues and resolutions within the QC team and with other stakeholders such as production supervisors and line workers.

• •Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, maintaining assertiveness when addressing quality concerns while fostering a collaborative working environment.

• •Compliance: Ensure the implementation and adherence to food safety laws, customer requirements, and internal standards, communicating these effectively to all levels within the company.

• Key Competencies

• •Attention to Detail: Ability to perform repetitive tasks consistently while maintaining high levels of accuracy.

• •Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly grasp complex concepts.

• •Time Management: Efficiently manage daily tasks to ensure all duties are completed within designated timeframes.

• •Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to work cross-functionally and at various levels of the organization.

• •Adaptability: Willingness to learn and adapt to various roles within the technical team, with the potential to manage people in the future.

• Other Role Information

• •Work Environment: This role is based in a meat processing facility. Candidates should be comfortable working in such settings.

• •Career Development: This scheme is designed to develop graduates into future leaders within the company, with a clear potential pathways to roles such as Site Technical Manager.

• •Location: The role is based in Scotland, but candidates should be willing to travel to other Kepak, and external, locations as required.

• Our Graduate programme allows dynamic, motivated, hardworking, and passionate Graduates an opportunity start their career with one of Ireland & UKs leading meat businesses. The programme lasts 2 years.

You can expect:

• To be fully immersed into our Culture from day 1, working alongside key industry experts and Kepak leaders

• An opportunity to work in various departments across the business with a rotation plan tailored to your development, the rotations plan will vary by site

• Gain an in depth understanding of our brands and products, and our relationships with customers and consumers

• To learn key aspects of our business, whilst you develop your skills and knowledge

• The opportunity to develop personally and professionally through exposure to key projects, tasks and development activities that challenge you, all supported by a detailed learner journey and training plan

• A dedicated mentor and development program to support you both on the programme and into a role that best fits your skills

• Start date: September 6th 2027

• Starting Salary - £29,500 with an up to £1,500 increase at the start of Year 2 to £31,000

• Read more about our programme and hear from some of our Graduates:https://www.kepak.com/careers/graduates/

Requirements

• Who are we looking for?

• We are looking for hardworking and ambitious Graduates, who want to learn and grow in a challenging and fast paced environment, by performing real roles as part of your rotations.

• You must be mobile and willing to travel throughout the programme to undertake development activities at any of our sites in the UK and Ireland.

• Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• •Educational Background: A degree in Food Science, Technology, Agriculture, Agricultural Science, or a related field. Candidates with a general science degree and a demonstrated interest in the agri-sector are also considered.

• •Skills: Understanding of the agricultural sector, particularly within the red meat industry, is beneficial. Ability to analyze information, solve problems, and summarize conclusions.

• •Experience: Previous work experience in the food industry is not required but is considered an advantage. Preference is given to candidates with experience gained through internships, placements, or self-initiated work within operations or technical roles.

• Personal Attributes

• •Enthusiasm & Willingness to Learn: Open to new experiences and eager to acquire knowledge in the meat processing industry.

• •Confidence & Assertiveness: Able to communicate assertively and stand their ground when addressing quality issues while maintaining amicable relationships with colleagues.

• •Resilience: Comfortable working in a challenging environment, including exposure to abattoirs and carcass locations.

We will be looking for alignment with our Core Values:

• Responsibility – Ability to work on your own initiative and take accountability for your actions

• Ambition – You will have the willingness and confidence to challenge yourself to be the best you can be and be driven to succeed

• Passion for Food – this is at the heart of everything we do, you must be passionate about every aspect of our industry

• Teamwork – ability to build positive relationships quickly with people from all cultures and career stages is pivotal

Benefits

• Employee Discount Scheme
• Educational Assistance/ L&D
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance programme