Undergraduate NPD Technologist - Sweet Treats Review

My role involves getting a brief from marketing and working through a series of processes to bring the concept to launch. Gate one involves sourcing ingredients, working with procurement, meeting nutritional targets, costing targets and getting the recipe signed off.
Gate 2 involves trialling the product in the factory and problem solving plus consumer testing.
Gate 3 is about preparing for launch and then confirming all of the key information for Gate 4 launch.
Other day jobs include: shelf life testing, sample requests and research, including foodie trips!

Yes, during my placement I have worked on 5 live projects which have plans to launch. Being leader of these projects is a massive responsibility and their success holds up our brand reputation. There has never been a time where I have felt untrusted or had to step back...my manager allows me to be independent and supports me where I need her.
I have also said in 1:1s that I would like more responsibility which they have let me do.

Yes!
I would say my bakery knowledge has improved massively and my university learnings have been tested in real life application.
My confidence and self awareness has definitely grown as I have been put out of my comfort zone by being in a new environment.
My resilience has been tested lots by working with different people and dealing with set backs from factory trials.
My communication has become better with my confidence growth. I am more open to speak and receive feedback from others.
My project management and responsibility is definitely a NEW skill I have learnt as at university I was only in charge of assignments which affected my grades and therefore my own consequence. Whereas, at placement my work contributes to my team and wider business' success. I am grateful for this opportunity.

The placement is set up to get the majority of support from our managers, branded team and elected mentor. My experience was a little different as my mentor changed teams so I did feel a little bit isolated with only my manager. Particularly as we had no other team members working on our brand on site. I would have liked to work more alongside my mentor on projects together, especially to begin with. However, the wider team have been exceptionally helpful and each one of them have supported me.
During 1:1s with my mentor and manager I feel very supported, sharing my goals and any concerns. I know that I could approach them with an issue and they would listen and want to support my development.
I was never left to do something that I wasn't confident in.

Really good! I was shocked at how friendly and relaxed the atmosphere is as I assumed a professional work environment would be more closed off. But everyone has been so welcoming and kind to me. The culture is open, allowing everyone to be accepted as themselves.

I have really enjoyed my placement here. I have developed both professionally and personally, learning way more about myself than I expected to!
At the beginning I was a bit shocked as I had never been in a factory and considered the scale of manufacture. But with all of my development opportunities I feel like I really understand my role and have a place here. I was never expected to know anything and was trained up at a really good pace that was not overwhelming for a student. The company have taken me on some amazing site visits, cohort days and supplier sites which has supported my knowledge in R&D.
I would say there have been times where I was not as happy here and that has been when the workload is quiet as I found this really unmotivating. However, when I communicated this with my manager I was able to pick up another project and am now busy and really enjoying myself. I have found my enjoyment to be very project specific as the workload can really alter depending on your project. For example, I found my second project very exhausting as the benchwork was a long time on your feet. We also have to work around the factory lots so need to be flexible with coming in early etc.
I have also learnt things that I do not enjoy as much such as factory trials but I think its good to understand pros and cons to a job as you cannot like everything!
In the future, I would like a better work from home/in person role, one where benchwork is not as exhausting and where we have more innovation control

Yes