Launch your career in the food sector. Learn more about graduate careers, meet professionals working in the food sector and gain skills to improve your CV and interview technique.
Welcome to our hosts: Finnebrogue
Finnebrogue is one of the UK's leading food producers. A family-owned business based in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. They produce a variety of products, such as bacon, burgers and sausages.
Date: 14 March 2024
Venue details: 25 Enterprise Avenue, Downpatrick, BT30 9UP
Meet the mentors
IFST are very grateful to leading professionals in the food sector for sharing their expertise at this event.
Programme
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Arrival and registration - OTB Training Room, Finnebrogue |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Welcome and introduction to the day Declan Ferguson, Research, Development & Technical Director, Finnebrogue Robin Leaper, Education and Careers Coordinator, Institute of Food Science and Technology |
| 10:45 – 11:05 | Opportunities in the food sector Diane Christie, Head of Innovation, Linden Foods |
| 11:05 – 11:40 | Interactive group exercise - session led by Robin Leaper Small group activity focussing on job roles and skills |
| 11:40 – 12:00 | Break |
| 12:00 – 12:20 | Early career perspective Sarah Hill – Assistant Technical Manager, Finnebrogue Megan Steele Commercial Manager, Finnebrogue |
| 12:20 – 12:40 | Standing out from the crowd - a recruitment perspective Melissa Mackey, Head of Talent, Finnebrogue |
| 12:40 – 14:00 | Food sector mentor’s lunch - see separate table below |
| 14:00 – 14:15 | Continuing in Academia Maria Mulhern, Lecturer in Food Science, Ulster University |
| 14:15 – 14:30 | Introduction to IFST - including competitions, awards, events and closing remarks Robin Leaper |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Viewing Gallery Tour of Vegetarian Factory and Sausage Factory Laura Robinson, Head of Technical, Finnebrogue |
Mentors Lunch: (12.40 – 14.00)
A special thanks to the following mentors who have kindly agreed to host lunch on the following tables:
| Mentor | Table Subject |
| Table 1 - Megan Steele Commercial Manager Finnebrogue |
Working in commercial and supply chain |
| Table 2 - Victoria King Private Secretary to Chief Scientific Adviser Food Standards Agency |
Working in food law and regulation |
| Table 3 - Fiona Gilchrist Technical Services Engineer Leprino Foods |
Working in product improvement and process development (R&D) |
| Table 4 - Orlagh Feehan Nutrition Product Specialist Nutricia (Danone) |
Working in nutrition |
| Table 5 - Andrea Magill Technical Service Manager Around Noon |
Working in technical |
| Table 6 - Barbara Bray Food Safety and Nutrition Consultant Alo Solutions |
Working in food safety |
| Table 7 - Francesca Raeside Graduate Food Technologist Marks & Spencer |
Working for a retailer |
| Table 8 - Diane Christie Head of Innovation Linden Foods |
Working new product development (NPD) |
IFST Student Pack
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