Innovation Development Student Placement

Thinking of a career in food? Looking for an exciting industry placement in 2026? We have an opportunity to join the Development team at our Newton Abbot Site site on a 12-month placement. Our placements start in July 2026 for a 12-month contract.

Product Innovation Development is where the products start their life, we see products through from concept ideas to launch. Working closely with a Senior Innovation Development Technologist, you’ll gain invaluable experience and insight into a distinctive, proudly independent food business.

From our farming roots, we know first-hand the impact climate change is having on our planet. At Yeo Valley, we want to nurture and nourish people and planet. This is why we’re committed to reducing our carbon emissions, tackling food waste and increasing the sustainability of our packaging. We’re passionate about regenerative farming practices and continually investing in green energy sources (such as our 10,000 solar panels across our sites).

During your Development Placement with us, here are some of the things you’ll be doing:

· Preparation of kitchen samples

· Managing and running product factory trials

· Controlling the ingredient and packaging stocks

· Responsible for post-trial analysis including organoleptic assessments – yum!

· Supporting customer presentations and visits

· Working closely with Senior Innovation Development Technologists developing new products

· Working closely with the Commercial and Technical teams

· Assisting with Customer visits

• You'll be studying a relevant food-based degree 
• A demonstrable passion for food and the food industry 
• Great organisational skills and communication skills
• Ability to think on your feet and solve problems
• A good eye for detail
• Confidence to liaise with people at all levels
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team 

We’re independent, British and proud to be making the highest quality yogurts, desserts and ice cream under the Yeo Valley brand and for many of the UK’s major retailers. Operating from four dairies and two logistics centres in Somerset and Devon, we employ over 1700 staff and produce more than 25% of the UK’s packaged yogurt.

We’re sure you don’t need convincing, but there’s a whole host of benefits that we offer including:

• competitive holiday allowance
• non-contributory pension scheme
• life cover
• healthcare cash back plan
• cycle to work scheme
• subsidised Yeo Valley products and services
• preferential rates with our partners
• annual bonus (as part of the Employee Benefit Trust, based on company performance for the year)
• learning and development opportunities; we’re committed to ensuring all of our employees have the chance to grow

Our closing dates are a guide for when the application window should close, although we may close the advert sooner if we can. So, we recommend you get your application in straight away – and don’t miss the opportunity to join us!

Unfortunately, we’re not able to provide employment sponsorship to candidates at this moment in time.

Please note that Yeo Valley do not accept speculative agency applications; we will only accept applications from preferred suppliers that have been submitted to us via our recruitment portal at the point of instruction.