Chocolate Research & Development, Food Science & Technology Degree Apprenticeship 2026

GFL Environmental Inc.; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A major international snack leader is looking for a Chocolate R&D Apprentice in Birmingham. This 4-5 year position combines work with studies towards a Bachelor's in Food Science. Candidates are expected to bring skills in problem-solving, organization, and communication. The salary for this role is £23,000, with an attractive benefits package. Applications close on 9th March 2026, and assessment will be in-person on 17th April 2026. Early applications are encouraged as the positions will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Benefits

Annual pay reviews

Performance-related bonus

35 days annual leave including bank holidays

Flexible working

Contributory pension

Life assurance

Flexible benefits programme

Qualifications

• Conscientious, proactive, and self-motivated.
• Ability to manage tasks and responsibilities.
• Keen eye for detail and good problem-solving skills.
• Confident communicator.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation of breakthrough technologies.
• Participate in new product innovations.
• Travel to the university site during block release.

Skills

Action Oriented

Organising

Problem Solving

Interpersonal savvy

Informing

Perseverance

Education

112 UCAS Points from Science A-level or equivalent

Job description

## Job Description**Join our Mission to Lead the Future of Snacking. Make It Matter.**As an organization we are committed to developing the next generation of Makers and Bakers. Joining us at an early career stage in our fast paced and ever changing environment will enable you to do more, learn more and grow more. You will be encouraged to step outside your comfort zone– you may even surprise yourself! We will ensure you are given the support you need to be at your best and enable you to be yourself and bring passion and personality. Here you can lean in and speak up and bring your own flavor.Working as a Chocolate Research & Development (R&D) Apprentice at the home of Cadbury in Bournville, you will work with some of our biggest brands including Cadbury, Oreo, Milka and Toblerone among many others. The team are responsible for delivering Breakthrough Technologies, new product innovations and building on our world renowned brands. You will work in a fast paced environment as part of a highly skilled team, you will work on a variety of different products from Dairy Milk to Crème eggs and a wide range of technologies across cocoa processing, chocolate making, moulding and wrapping.**During your time you will:*** Build expertise in a wide range of equipment and technologies, understanding of the science behind our products and applying this knowledge in the interpretation of results.* Support the implementation of breakthrough technologies and new product innovations.* Identify opportunities for continuous improvement within the Pilot Plant and R&D.* Build project management skills though on the job learning and block release to university.**Apprenticeship:**The Apprentice role is a 4-5 Year training position and will require balancing work with learning. Your day to day work and training will be supported by studying towards a Bachelors Science Degree with Nottingham Trent University. This will be delivered as a mixture of block release and distance learning.Year 1 & 2-Pilot Plant* You will initially be based within the Pilot Plant & Facilities Team as part of the Global Process Technology and Productivity team* Training in cocoa, chocolate making and depositing technologies.* Work in advance of trials with product/process developers to assist in trial planning.* Support sourcing, installation, commissioning and training for new equipment.* Build technical knowledge and equipment expertise executing trials with product/process developersYear 3 & 4-Projects* Support category growth projects* Build project management experience* In year 4 you will take on a placement role where you will have full responsibility for delivery of your own project, including scoping, trial planning, execution, and reporting.Towards the end of your apprenticeship the business will support you to apply for any suitable vacant roles in order to progress your career within Mondelez International.**What extra ingredients you will bring:*** Action Oriented – conscientious, proactive, self-motivated to take on new opportunities, and a fast learner.* Organising – Ability to manage the tasks and responsibilities of themselves and others* Problem Solving – Ability to identify and solve problems, with a keen eye for detail and an ability for researching solutions and measuring success.* Interpersonal savvy – able to adapt personal style to work with a range of R&D colleagues* Informing – Confident communicator, able to reinforce Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Health, Safety & Environmental procedures* Perseverance – pursues tasks with drive and works through setbacks/challenges**Education / Certifications:**Food Science & Technology Apprenticeship Typical Entry RequirementsTypically candidates will have 112 UCAS Points from up to 4 qualifications including an A-level or equivalent in a Science subject and GCSE English and Maths Grade C/4.**Job specific requirements:**As part of the requirement for this role you will need to apply and be accepted on to the University course after an offer has been made by Mondelez.**Travel requirements:**You will be required to travel to the University site during your block release and for other agreed activities, travel expenses will be paid for by Mondelez.**Work schedule:**Block release at University, combined with distance learning. Additional time will be set aside for "off the job" training.**Starting salary: £23,000**In return for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm, we offer our Apprentices an attractive benefits package within a highly successful international business which includes annual pay reviews, performance related bonus, 35 days annual leave (including bank holidays), flexible working, contributory pension, life assurance, and a flexible benefits programme.**Closing date for applications is Monday 9th March 2026.**We will be holding our final stage assessment centre for this role in-person, at our Bournville offices, **on Friday 17th April 2026**. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered.**We recruit throughout the year and we review our applications on a first come, first served basis. We also reserve the right to close our vacancies early and therefore we recommend that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.****Mondelēz is a diverse and inclusive employer with an objective to ensure a fair and equal hiring process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to apply or throughout our assessmentprocessplease contact [e-mail] stating “UK&I Early Careers” as the subject.****Our candidate requirements are based on criteria to enable you to succeed in the role. If you have narrowly missed the above requirements and there are extenuating circumstances that you would like us to consider, you can let us know by contacting [e-mail] stating “UK&I Early Careers” as the subject and attaching a letter from your school/university to confirm your extenuating circumstances.**## **Business Unit Summary**### We value our talented employees, and whenever possible strive to help one of our associates grow professionally before recruiting new talent to our open positions. If you think the open position you see is right for you, we encourage you to apply!### ### *Our people make all the difference in our succes*Mondelēz International is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.We value our talented employees, and whenever possible strive to help one of our associates grow professionally before recruiting new talent to our open positions. If you think the open position you see is right for you, we encourage you to apply!## **IF YOU REQUIRE SUPPORT TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION OR DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, PLEASE CONTACT THE RECRUITER**## **Job Type**Apprentice (Fixed Term)Apprentices and TraineesEarly CareersAt Mondelēz International, our purpose is to empower people to snack right through offering the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way. That means delivering a broader range of delicious, high-quality snacks that nourish life's moments, made with sustainable ingredients and packaging that consumers can feel good about.We have a rich portfolio of strong brands – both global and local. Including many household names such as Oreo, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum. We are proud to hold the number 1 position globally in biscuits, chocolate and candy as well as the No. 2 position in gumOur 80,000 Makers and Bakers are located in our operations in more than 80 countries and are working to sell our products in over 150 countries