Behind the Scenes at Waitrose: Technical Tour and Networking

Date: 
Wednesday, 7 October, 2026 - 14:00 to 17:00
Location: 
Wallace House, Waitrose Head Office Campus, Bracknell RG12 8TQ
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This event is organised by the IFST Student and Early Career Committee and is open exclusively to IFST members
 
This technical visit to Waitrose HQ will provide IFST Student and Early Careers members with an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the technical, quality, and product safety functions within a leading UK retailer. The afternoon will begin with an introduction to Waitrose, including an overview of its sustainability initiatives and approach to regenerative farming. Participants will then hear short presentations from early career professionals across different departments, to gain an understanding of the breadth of technical careers available within the organisation.
 
Attendees will then take part in an interactive product evaluation session focused on a selected Waitrose product. Participants will explore quality assessment, consumer feedback, horizon scanning, and the role of customer reviews in product development and improvement. The session will conclude with a product tasting activity.
 
Attendees will then have a tour of Waitrose's complaints department, providing insight into how consumer complaints and food safety issues are investigated. Demonstrations of basic analytical and microscopy techniques will be included to highlight the practical application of food science within technical teams.
 
The event will conclude with a networking session, allowing attendees to speak with Waitrose technical professionals and learn more about career pathways within the food industry.
 
What participants will learn:
  • Technical career opportunities within food retail
  • Regenerative farming and sustainability initiatives
  • Product quality assessment and consumer insights
  • Horizon scanning and the use of customer reviews
  • Complaints investigation processes
  • Food safety and analytical testing techniques
  • Professional networking within the food industry

Target audience:

  • IFST Early Careers members, students, graduates, apprentices and professionals in the early stages of their food science and technology careers.

There is a free car park on site. Bracknell Train Station is a 25 minute walk away.

Programme:

13:30 - 14:00 - Arrival and Registration
14:00 - 14:10 - Introduction to Waitrose
14:10 - 14:30 - Talks from Waitrose early career professionals about day to day responsibilities in different departments
14:30 - 15:30 - Product quality assessment and tasting session
15:30 - 16:30 - Tour of Waitrose Customer Complaints Department
16:30 - 17:00 - Networking opportunity 

Booking deadline:  30 September 2026

Places are limited so book soon.

Important: IFST encourage people to attend our events but please be mindful and only book if you plan to attend. If you do book and find you cannot attend, then please ensure that you let us know with as much notice as possible. Factory tours and technical visits are organised by business owners on a goodwill basis. It is important to all of us at IFST to maintain that goodwill. Your co-operation in helping us maintain this is greatly appreciated.

Please note: IFST is a registered charity with the mission ‘to provide evidence-based knowledge, networking opportunities, and professional recognition in food science and technology’. Each year, we are proud to run many events, including webinars and workshops, which engage with thousands of food professionals worldwide from over 50 countries. 

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