Research & Innovation Graduate Trainee at Danone

Danone is offering a dynamic Research & Innovation Graduate Trainee Programme designed for ambitious graduates eager to make a significant impact in the food industry. This programme provides invaluable hands-on experience within the R&I team, focusing on both product and packaging development. Trainees will engage with innovation and renovation projects across the Fresh Dairy and UHT categories, contributing to Danone's mission of bringing health through food to as many people as possible. This is an exceptional opportunity for individuals passionate about innovation and product development to launch their careers within a leading global food company.

The programme is structured to offer comprehensive exposure to various facets of research and innovation. Participants will benefit from cross-functional rotations, allowing them to gain a holistic understanding of the business. Key activities include supporting operational and strategic projects, analysing data to drive process improvements, and collaborating with diverse teams to tackle real-world business challenges. Continuous learning is a core component, with trainees attending development workshops and presenting their findings and recommendations to senior management, fostering leadership and strategic thinking skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in cross-functional rotations every 3–6 months to gain diverse business exposure.

• Support operational and strategic projects within various departments.

• Analyse data and contribute to process improvements across R&I functions.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to solve complex business challenges.

• Attend training sessions and development workshops to enhance skills and knowledge.

• Present learnings, insights, and recommendations to senior management.

• Support the development and optimisation of yoghurt, desserts, and UHT products.

• Assist with recipe formulation, ingredient evaluation, and product benchmarking.

• Participate in sensory evaluations and shelf-life studies for product assessment.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver consumer-centric solutions.

• Analyse technical, sensory, and product performance data to support informed decision-making.

• Support the development, qualification, testing, and validation of packaging solutions for dairy products.

• Gain exposure to different packaging materials and formats, including primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging.

• Assist with factory trials, product-packaging compatibility assessments, and performance checks, documenting key observations, risks, and outcomes.

• Support packaging specifications, artwork reviews, colour standards, compliance requirements, and internal quality standards.

• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to identify opportunities for cost optimisation, material efficiency, recyclability, and sustainable packaging improvements.

• Support the scale-up of new products from laboratory development to factory implementation.

• Participate in factory trials and process validation activities for new product launches.

• Assist with troubleshooting and optimisation during product launches to ensure smooth execution.

• Support project management activities to ensure timely delivery of innovation and renovation projects.

• Support the creation and maintenance of product and process specifications.

• Gain exposure to specification management across raw materials, packaging, recipes, processing, and finished products.

• Support data quality, harmonisation, and digitalisation initiatives within R&I documentation.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate and compliant specifications.

Why Join the Company

Joining Danone means becoming part of a global leader committed to making a positive impact on health and the environment. The Research & Innovation Graduate Trainee Programme offers a structured career path with significant learning and development opportunities. You will work in a supportive and collaborative environment, gaining exposure to cutting-edge research and development practices. Danone fosters a culture of innovation, encouraging employees to bring their ideas forward and contribute to meaningful projects. This programme is an excellent stepping stone for a successful career in the food science and innovation sector, with potential for future growth and advancement within the company.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to apply via the following link:

Click here to apply for this role

• Bachelor's degree/Diploma in Food Science, Food Technology, Biotechnology, or a related field.

• Strong academic track record.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Curiosity and a passion for innovation within the food industry.

• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams.

• Strong attention to detail and an eagerness to learn.

• Willingness to work in both factory and office environments, supporting product development from concept through to implementation.