Imaginative Teaching Resources & Inspirational Career Ideas from the Chilled Food Industry

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about chilled careers

  • What roles are there in chill?

  • To make chilled food needs recipe developers, process technologists, food scientists, packaging technologists, technical managers, microbiologists, hygiene auditors, equipment engineers, commercial and marketing teams, financial managers, laboratory and quality staff and general managers.

    Check out more than 20 real chilled job descriptions.

  • What do these jobs entail on a day to day basis and which skills will be used?

  • We have more than 20 job descriptions which describe real jobs – what they involve and the skills and knowledge they require.

  • Where are the jobs located?

  • Chilled food is produced all around the UK, particularly in the east and Midlands. CFA member companies own sites in the France, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and USA,
    for example.

  • What is the job market like now – future projection?

  • Chilled food is made in the UK for the local (UK) market.

    The UK’s chilled prepared food market has increased by nearly 2000% since 1989 and is
    worth over £10bn. It is growing at 5% or so each year.

    Currently there are more than 200 science degree-requiring vacancies in the sector.

  • What about opportunities for training and progression? Where could I be in 3-5 years' time?

  • Progression depends on the size and structure of the company, and how hard you work!

    In a smaller company, for example, you may get the chance to work in a number of areas
    as and when vacancies arise. This allows you build up your expertise and gives you the opportunity to find out where your interests lie. In a larger company you may find more
    formal graduate programmes which give you a set period of time in particular areas.

    Where you are in 3-5 years’ time really is up to you but a combination of flexibility, hard work and being open to new ideas and challenges has led to some great success stories that you can read about here, including recent graduates in their 20s such as Leon Smith.

  • What about salaries?

  • Graduate salaries start at around £20-25k but rise rapidly with increased responsibility.
    By 30 you could expect to be earning £35k+.

  • What personal competencies do I need for the different roles and functions?

  • There are four main types of technical roles in chilled food production:
    1. Laboratory-based roles assuring the safety and quality of food.
    2. Development roles working with food to develop and launch new products.
    3. Working in the supply chain with suppliers and customers.
    4. Working with teams in factories to help develop good manufacturing practices.

    A sound scientific and technical knowledge-base is needed for all, together with excellent interpersonal communications skills. Take a look at our sample job descriptions of real jobs to read more on this. You also need to be open to new challenges and have the flexibility to adapt to changing situations. The chilled food industry is dynamic and many working in it say that no two days are the same.

  • What's the culture like inside these companies/this sector?

  • 12,000 different chilled foods are made every day in the UK, supplying the major retailers and other customers.

    Chilled food production is therefore very fast-paced (Just In Time), responsive to consumer trends and retail customers’ demands, and presents new opportunities every day to apply your science to ensure the food is tasty, packaged and labelled correctly, is safe and sustainably produced in the right amount as and when it is needed.

    There are many opportunities for development, regardless of the level at which you join.

  • How/when to apply/get work experience?

  • Chilled food manufacturers are always happy to hear from students with something to offer. We have helped secure undergraduate placements, work experience, Nuffield-sponsored projects for ‘A’ Levels students. Get in touch with CFA members directly at any time of the year, specifying your qualifications/course, what your particular interest is and what you are looking for.

    Alternatively contact CFA for assistance.

  • What types of degrees are needed to enter chilled food manufacture?

  • For graduate entry science roles, food science, other biological science or forensics degrees are preferred. Many senior people in the chilled food industry have progressed through other routes including entry with ‘A’ Levels or other non-degree qualifications. Providers of Food Science degree courses and non-degree courses are listed here.

  • What non-technical/scientific roles are available in chilled food manufacture?

  • Chilled food manufacture doesn’t just offer scientific/technical careers. Our industry has hundreds of Commercial/Marketing/Financial, Human Resources and General Managementroles too.

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