Jobs for BSc Food Science and Technology Graduates

Science in food production

Food science and technology covers food chemistry, microbiology, processing, preservation, packaging, product development, quality assurance and food safety law. Kenya's food and beverage manufacturing sector, from dairy, milling and bakeries to beverages, edible oils, fruit processing and fish processing, relies on food scientists to make safe, consistent products. Exporters of processed and fresh produce also need food safety and quality professionals.

Typical roles

• Quality assurance and quality control officer in food and beverage factories
• Production supervisor and process technologist on processing lines
• Product development technologist creating and improving products
• Food safety officer and auditor for manufacturers, supermarkets and certification bodies
• Laboratory analyst in food testing laboratories

Standards and regulators

Food products in Kenya must meet standards set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), and manufacturers need product certification marks for many goods. County public health departments inspect food premises and require food handlers' medical certificates. Exporters must meet buyer and destination-market standards, and certifications such as ISO 22000, FSSC 22000 and HACCP-based systems are widely used, so practical knowledge of them is valued by employers.

Entry requirements

Places are allocated through KUCCPS with a minimum C+ mean grade and good grades in Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics or Physics. Diploma holders in food science or related fields can often join with credit transfer.

Getting hired

Factories want graduates who understand both the science and the production floor. Attachments in a processing plant, preferably in quality or production, give you the experience employers ask for. Short courses in HACCP, internal auditing and laboratory techniques add weight to your CV. Shift work is common in production and quality roles, as many plants run around the clock.

Career path

Graduates progress from QA or production officer to quality manager, production manager and plant manager. Product development roles can lead to innovation and technical director posts in larger companies. Some food scientists start their own processing businesses, adding value to farm produce, where knowledge of KEBS certification and food safety is a major advantage.