Student jobs in United Kingdom

Requisition ID: 10768

We are Suntory, a global leader in the beverage industry with a heritage that dates back to 1899 in Osaka, Japan. Today, we operate across more than 265 group companies worldwide, employing over 40,000 people. Our portfolio spans soft drinks, spirits, beer, wine, ready-to-drink beverages, and wellness products, combining tradition with innovation to deliver exceptional quality.

We are driven by our philosophy, “Bringing Water to Life,” which reflects our deep respect for nature and our commitment to sustainability. We strive to enrich lives and create harmony with people and nature through everything we do.

As one of the world’s leading beverage companies and the third-largest distilled spirits company globally, we continue to grow while staying true to our values of quality, craftsmanship, and responsibility to society.

Location: Uxbridge, West London (brand new NPD lab and office, excellent transport links to central London with piccadilly and Metropolitan lines)

We are looking for an Industrial Placement Undergraduate Student to join our Liquid New Product Development (NPD) Team at SBF GB&I, working on some of the UK’s most iconic soft drink brands — Lucozade and Ribena.

The success of SBF GB&I is built on creating exciting and high-quality products, and this is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated student to gain hands-on experience in a fast paced, innovative business environment.

As part of our New Product Development (NPD) team, within the wider Research & Development function, you’ll play a key role in supporting the creation of new drinks from concept through to launch. This placement offers a full understanding of the product development lifecycle and the opportunity to see your contributions come to life on shelves.

You’ll support technical projects under the guidance of your line manager, gain hands-on experience in liquid product development and commercialization, and assist with day-to-day lab production and maintenance in our brand-new facility in Uxbridge. You’ll also collaborate with cross-functional teams across R&D, Marketing, and Supply Chain to help bring fresh ideas to market.

This structured placement programme offers a blend of on-the-job training and exposure to real-world projects, giving you the opportunity to develop both scientific and technical skills while building valuable commercial awareness. You’ll be part of a supportive and collaborative environment where your ideas are genuinely valued. Alongside a competitive salary and benefits package, you’ll also have the chance to contribute to innovation within two of the UK’s most loved drink brands.

You’re an undergraduate currently studying a Food Science-related degree—such as Food Science, Food Technology, Food Chemistry, or Food Science with Nutrition—and you’re passionate about NPD, science, food, and beverages. You’re excited to gain practical experience, think analytically and critically, and communicate complex ideas in a clear and simple way. Confident, adaptable, and eager to learn, you thrive in new environments and are ready to make a meaningful contribution.

At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.