R&D Scientist

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world . As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment. Ready to bring your best?

This is a brilliant opportunity for an R&D Scientist to play a key role in shaping our cheese portfolio from leading recipe development, solving complex manufacturing challenges to turning ideas into products that land successfully in market.

This role is based at our Nuneaton site with the option to work from home up to one day per week based on business need.  Candidates must be able to work onsite at our Nuneaton site a minimum of 4 days per week.

Work pattern: Monday–Friday, 37 hours per week.

YOU’LL MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MATTER BY…

• Leading end-to-end cheese recipe development, from concept through pilot and factory trials to launch, owning delivery against quality, cost and timing targets.
• Applying your scientific expertise to balance sensory performance, yield and manufacturability in recipe design.
• Taking ownership of technical decisions, confidently managing risk and escalating where needed.
• Designing and delivering pilot plant trials, ensuring robust experimentation and clear, actionable insights.
• Leading factory trials in partnership with site teams, ensuring smooth handover and successful implementation.
• Acting as a technical expert to diagnose and resolve complex product or process issues using data-led approaches.
• Embedding regulatory and technical compliance into product development, ensuring products are both robust and legally sound.
• Delivering benchmarking and sensory evaluations, translating data into meaningful recommendations.

YOU’RE BEST SUITED FOR THE ROLE IF YOU …

• Hold a degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Chemistry, Microbiology or Chemical Engineering.
• Bring proven experience in cheese recipe development or process optimisation within a manufacturing environment.
• Have a track record of owning and delivering technical projects end-to-end.
• Understand cheese composition, processing variables and regulatory frameworks.
• Are confident in data analysis, problem-solving and technical decision-making.

WE SUPPORT AND CARE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES BY PROVIDING YOU WITH…

• Annual bonus scheme (paid quarterly)
• Private medical
• Flexible and hybrid working approach
• Autonomous and inclusive working environment
• Opportunities for progression within the UK and overseas
• Enhanced employer pension contributions
• Health cash plan - claim money back towards essential healthcare such as dental, eye care etc.
• Access to Thrive 24-hours a day - a leading and NHS clinically approved app which focuses on general wellbeing
• Long service recognised every 5 years
• Life assurance up to 4 x contractual pay
• Discounted branded products
• Free, onsite parking
• Subsidised staff restaurant
• 25 holidays + 8 bank holidays
• One paid workday a year to volunteer for a local community or charitable institutions of your choice
• Opportunity to swap traditional UK holidays for dates significant to your cultural and religious beliefs
• My Staff Shop - access to exclusive benefits, free advice and savings - providing great discounts from thousands of the UKs largest retailers & service providers.

For additional information on our benefits please go to uk.saputo.com/en/carees/employee-benefits

We support employment equity. Saputo strives to embed diversity and inclusion in its operations and invites candidates from all horizons to join our team.

To enable you to bring your best we will ensure you are provided with any physical or non-physical adjustments to support your participation in the job application and interview process.

Agencies - Thank you for your interest in working with Saputo Dairy UK. We have a PSL who will be supporting us if needed. We do not pay fees or acknowledge any CV’s supplied to Saputo Dairy UK unless you have been briefed on the role by a member of the Talent Acquisition Team.

In the UK, Saputo is a producer of leading British food brands and value-added ingredients. We manufacture a range of cheeses, dairy spreads, and dairy-free products, with a portfolio of well-loved brands including Cathedral City, Clover, Country Life, Frylight and Wensleydale.