Arla Foods Dairy Technologist Apprenticeship - Settle Creamery

Embark on a Journey with Arla Foods

Embark on a journey to become an expert in dairy and food manufacturing as an Apprentice Dairy Technologist. Over the course of two years, you’ll master the art of producing high-quality, tasty products for some of the nation’s favourite retailers within the food manufacturing industry.

Upon completion of the programme, you will graduate with a Level 5 Foundation Degree in Dairy Technology from Reaseheath College, in partnership with The University of Chester. Your course will combine hands-on practical experience with classroom-based learning. You will also gain a Level 3 award in Health & Safety, Food Safety, and HACCP, along with gaining a breadth of experience across all core elements of food manufacturing.

The best bit? You will earn as you learn! Your salary will increase year on year as you progress and develop. 😊

What do we offer?

• Competitive base salary
• 26 days holiday & Bank Holidays
• Pension contribution matched up to 6%
• 4 x annual salary life assurance
• Access to discounted products in our Staff Shop
• People agenda commitment to training and development
• Flexible Benefits- reward gateway scheme- discounts with various retailers via my benefit platform.
• Accommodation and expenses, including food and travel, are provided for the duration of your study blocks at Reaseheath College.
• Most importantly - Cheese hamper at Christmas!

How will you make an impact?

At Arla Foods, our commitment to excellence in manufacturing ensures we reward our farmer-owners and meet the needs of our customers.

• As an Apprentice Dairy Technologist, you’ll learn how to work fast in Production, how to enhance quality in the Lab, how to optimise technology in Process, how to innovate in Engineering, and how to keep your colleagues safe in Health & Safety. You will gain a commercial mindset and understand the importance of customer relationships.
• You'll play a key role in our continual growth, embodying our values in everything you do. At the end of your apprenticeship, you'll have the opportunity to choose the rotation you enjoyed the most and plan your future with the team that fits you best. At Arla Foods, the possibilities are endless.

What will make you successful?

• Eligibility: You must be 18+ by the 18th August 2025 to apply due to the hands-on nature of the role
• Qualifications: You must have achieved a minimum of 5 GCSE’s grade 9-4 (A*-C), including Maths and English (or the Scottish equivalent)
• Passion for learning: Embrace the opportunity to learn both on the job and in the classroom.

Things we’d love to tell you about Arla Foods & Settle Creamery

• We are a farmer-owned cooperative, committed to partnering with farmers so they are guaranteed a fair price for their milk.
• We are the producer of Lurpak, one of the world’s most iconic butter brands.
• We are a Danish business, operating across the UK, Europe, Asia, The Middle East, North America, South America and other regions across the globe.
• Arla Settle is the home of our Lactofree products, producing Lactofree ESL and also conventional UHT milk for UK and export markets.
• We have had £30 million of investment to bring Lactofree milk production to the UK. Our site capacity has increased by 50% through this investment.

We have a purpose for Good

At Arla, we strive to unlock the highest potential in each other while working together to create a sustainable future of dairy. We call it Stronger People Stronger Planet and it is deeply anchored in our organisation and founded on our commitment to respecting human rights, increasing access to healthy dairy nutrition, inspiring good food habits, and improving the environment for future generations. In order to succeed we need to hire people with a sustainable mindset. Could this be you?

"At Arla, we believe in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for growth. Our apprenticeship program is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the dairy industry."
Olivia Pine, Talent Acquisition Partner