Student Product Development Technologist - Sweet Treats Review
at Premier Foods
Placement (10 Months+)
Consumer Products/FMCG, Product Design
Barnsley
Review Submitted: June 2024
Overall Rating
5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
-
Support and Guidance
5/5
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Company Culture
5/5
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Overall Experience
5/5
-
Future Career Prospects
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.
No two days are ever the same. In this fast-paced NPD environment you could be involved in making samples for a project, trialling a new product in the factory, troubleshooting with current products that are having issues or launching new products to market! Innovation ideas are always encouraged so benchwork on innovation is a key pillar of this role as well.
Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
As you develop throughout your placement, you are certainly given more responsibility. You will be responsible for your own projects which will mean leading benchwork, trials and launches by yourself. You become responsible for your own time management as you have to balance multiple projects at once.
Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was
5/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?
A number of skills have developed over the year including: commercial knowledge, ingredient functionality, knowledge of equipment in the factory as well as the kitchen, food science knowledge, nutrition, vitamin and mineral understanding as well as communication, organisation and time management. My confidence has grown immensely through my work individually as well as in an incredibly supportive team.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
5/5
How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?
5/5
How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development
5/5
Support and Guidance
How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?
My mentor and managers have been incredibly supportive during my whole placement journey. Their support and guidance has been invaluable for my personal and professional development. They are always on hand for any query I have. I am incredibly lucky to have an amazing R&D team that I have worked alongside who have always been available for support and guidance.
How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?
5/5
How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?
5/5
Company Culture
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
The culture of Premier Foods is unlike any company I have experienced before. Every function is supportive of one another and the company is always celebrating achievements of colleagues. I don’t feel as if I am a placement student at Premier Foods, I am treated as one of the technologists. This has supported me to grow in a nurturing environment. The opportunities that Premier Foods has offered me on my placement have been incredible.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the social opportunities?
5/5
How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
5/5
How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
5/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
No words can describe how much I have enjoyed my placement! It has exceeded any preconceptions I had before starting. The amount you learn everyday on this placement is astounding. Even until now I am still learning new things! I have developed both personally and professionally and I could not be more grateful to Premier Foods for providing me with this amazing opportunity and for all the incredible experiences they have given me.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on your placement / internship
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Future Career Prospects
Please rate the future employment prospects at Premier Foods
5/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Premier Foods to a friend?
Yes
What advice would you give to others applying to Premier Foods
Show your passion for food through your cover letter and interview. I don’t have a specific food science degree but was accepted as I showed my passion for food in other ways. If successful with your application, grasp any opportunity that comes your way and seek out any opportunities available to you.
