Food Development Degree Apprenticeship 2026

Cranswick plc; Sherburn in Elmet, Hull and East Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK food producer is offering a Food Development Degree Apprenticeship in Sherburn in Elmet. This unique opportunity allows you to gain hands-on experience in food innovation while studying for a relevant degree. Ideal candidates should be enthusiastic foodies with strong communication skills and a passion for product development. This apprenticeship includes competitive salary, comprehensive training, and various perks.

Benefits

Extremely competitive starting apprenticeship salary

Comprehensive training plan

Buddy programme

Company pension scheme

Share Save scheme

Retail and supermarket discounts

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic and creative foodie passionate about product development.
• Ability to understand consumer trends and align with market needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and test new food concepts.
• Assist in recipe development and ingredient sourcing.
• Support factory trials for product launches.
• Collaborate with teams to refine product ideas.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Creativity

Proactive mindset

Education

Interest in food product development

Job description

Food Development Degree Apprenticeship 2026

Food Development Degree Apprenticeship 2026

(Multiple Locations – Hull, Sherburn-In-Elmet)

Are you a passionate foodie who loves the idea of developing exciting new food products for some of the biggest names in retail and food service? If so, Cranswick’s New Product Development (NPD) Degree Apprenticeship is the perfect opportunity for you! This unique programme allows you to gain hands‑on experience in food innovation and product development while studying for a Food Industry Technical Professional Degree at Sheffield Hallam University.

Why Cranswick?

Cranswick is a leading UK food producer with a revenue of over £2.3 billion, supplying premium food to major UK grocery retailers, the food service sector, and global customers. We are dedicated to creating high‑quality, innovative food products and investing in the next generation of food industry professionals.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a New Product Development Degree Apprentice, you’ll be at the heart of bringing new food products to life by:

• Developing and testing new food concepts that align with customer and market trends.
• Assisting in recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and formulation.
• Supporting factory trials to ensure successful product launches.
• Collaborating with chefs, food technologists, and commercial teams to refine product ideas.
• Understanding consumer trends and helping create food products that excite customers.
• Working with major UK retailers and food service brands to deliver innovative and high-quality food solutions.

What We’re Looking For

We want an enthusiastic and creative foodie with a passion for product development and an eye for trends in the food industry. The world of NPD is fast‑paced and exciting, so you’ll need strong communication skills, creativity, and a proactive mindset to thrive. This apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity to develop a long and successful career in food innovation.

What We Offer

• Extremely competitive starting apprenticeship salary
• Comprehensive training plan to support you in completing your L6 Food Technical Professional Qualification with Sheffield Hallam University (including fully funded overnight stays at university)
• Buddy programme to support new apprentices and help them settle in
• Enrolment into our company pension scheme with enhanced contribution options
• Share Save scheme – purchase company shares at a discounted rate
• Retail and supermarket discounts via our company discount portal