QA Food Science Specialist

Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller S.e.c.s.; Market Drayton, Telford, Minsterley; On-site; GBP 35,000 - GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy company is seeking a QA Food Science Specialist to provide scientific expertise across UK sites. This key role involves acting as a subject matter expert in microbiology and process science while ensuring food safety and compliance. The ideal candidate will hold a relevant science-based degree and have strong experience in food manufacturing, particularly in FMCG or dairy. Benefits include private medical healthcare and a contributory pension plan.

Benefits

Private medical healthcare

Contributory pension plan

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave

Rewards Benefits Programme

Qualifications

• Strong experience within food manufacturing, ideally FMCG or dairy and with a microbiology bias.
• HACCP Level 4 and Food Safety Level 4 desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Acting as the scientific expert covering microbiological, chemical and physical properties of food.
• Leading the development of science-based technical standards.
• Driving spoilage prevention through data-led improvement plans.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Analytical approach

Education

Science-based degree in Food Science, Microbiology or related discipline

Job description

We’re Müller UK & Ireland, a family‑run dairy business and we’re experts at what we do. Dairy is a key part of a healthy and balanced diet and we’re super proud to help meet the nutritional needs of millions of people, every, single, day. To do this, our business has been split into two areas: Müller Milk & Ingredients (MMI) and Müller Yogurt & Desserts (MYD).

We know that sounds like a lot, but that’s why we need you!

Yogurts and desserts flow through everything at Müller – from farm to factory to fridge. But the true impact comes from our people, in each and every corner of the business, working hard and as a team to put smiles on faces everywhere, making each day delicious for our shoppers. And, as the UK's most popular dairy brand, we’re always striving to make a real difference for our planet, our partners and our people, putting sustainability at the heart of everything we do.

Did you know that 29 Müller yogurt and desserts are eaten every second? And that’s just the start, with ambitious plans to grow, while continuing to make a real difference for the planet, our partners and people, we’re looking for a team of fridge‑fillers and self‑starters to help us on our mission to put a smile on the nation’s face. Join a team of fridge‑fillers and self‑starters just doing their bit for the bigger picture.

QA Food Science Specialist

Location: Market Drayton, Telford or Minsterley (with travel required to all three sites)

At Müller, we’re driven by quality, innovation and a passion for great tasting dairy. As part of our Quality Assurance team within Müller Yogurt & Desserts, we’re now looking for a QA Food Science Specialist to act as the scientific subject matter expert across our UK sites.

This is a key technical role, providing leadership across microbiology, chemistry and process science, ensuring robust standards that protect food safety, quality and compliance while supporting continuous improvement.

What you’ll be doing:

• Acting as the scientific expert across Müller Yogurt & Desserts, covering the microbiological, chemical and physical properties of food.
• Leading the development, deployment and governance of science‑based technical standards and specifications.
• Driving spoilage prevention, mould and pathogen reduction through data‑led improvement plans.
• Supporting root cause analysis of quality incidents and contributing to crisis and incident management.
• Driving continuous improvement in laboratory quality systems, equipment capability and horizon scanning for new technologies.
• Partnering cross‑functionally with Operations, Engineering, Group Quality and external laboratories.
• Coaching and developing laboratory and site teams to strengthen quality capability at every level.

What we’re looking for:

• A science‑based degree in Food Science, Microbiology or a related discipline.
• Strong experience within food manufacturing, ideally FMCG or dairy and with a microbiology bias.
• HACCP Level 4 and Food Safety Level 4 desirable but not essential.
• A structured, analytical approach with the confidence to challenge the status quo.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

What you’ll receive:

In return for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm, we offer our employees numerous benefits as part of your employment, including:

• Private medical healthcare.
• Contributory pension plan.
• Life assurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Generous annual leave increasing with service.
• Rewards Benefits Programme, giving you a range of discounts across 800 retailers online and in store.

Why Müller?

You’ll be joining a business that invests in quality, technology and people, offering the opportunity to influence standards at scale while continuing to develop your technical expertise within a market‑leading FMCG environment.