When Andrew started his Food Science degree at UNSW, he already knew one thing for sure: he loved food. Not just eating it, but understanding it. What happens when you heat it, mix it, or change it? How do ingredients interact? And what does it take to make food on a massive scale?
Now, as a Next Gen Graduate at Nestlé’s Gympie site, Andrew is living that curiosity every day and helping to make some of Australia’s favourite coffee along the way.
Learning the Ropes (and Roasts) at Nestlé
As part of the Nestlé Graduate Program, Andrew has been diving into all sides of food manufacturing, from production to engineering. His first rotation has him based in Gympie, where the team manufactures and packages Nescafé instant coffee for the entire country and beyond.
“It’s an incredible experience,” Andrew says. “Working at Nestlé gives you the chance to see how everything fits together, from the ingredients and machinery to the people and systems that keep production running smoothly.”
Why Nestlé?
For Andrew, joining Nestlé was an easy choice.
“I’ve always been fascinated by food manufacturing, how food products are developed, the purpose of each ingredient, and how everything comes together on a larger scale,” he explains. “Nestlé is a global leader in that space, so getting to learn here straight out of uni is pretty special.”
The Next Gen Graduate Program gives participants hands-on experience in different factories and departments, building both technical knowledge and leadership skills. “The chance to move around and see how things operate across the country is incredibly valuable,” Andrew says.
A Day in the Life
Right now, Andrew is working on a project to replace non-compliant air conditioning units around the factory, a task that has been a crash course in project management.
“It’s a lot more complex than you’d think,” he laughs. “I’m responsible for coordinating contractors, scheduling site visits, reviewing quotes, and making sure everything aligns with Nestlé’s strict safety procedures.”
Along the way, he’s learning how to navigate Nestlé’s systems, from ordering products and managing bids to keeping on top of safety permits and training requirements.
“I’ve also been learning how to spot potential hazards and chat with people about how they can make their work safer,” Andrew adds. “It’s one of those skills that’s really valuable no matter where you go.”
What’s Next?
With each rotation, Andrew is broadening his skills and seeing new sides of the business. He regularly attends quality and production meetings to stay across what’s happening around the factory and contribute to improvements where he can.
“There’s always something new going on,” he says. “You learn so much just by being around different teams and seeing how they solve problems.”
For anyone thinking about a career in food science or manufacturing, Andrew has one piece of advice: get curious. “If you’re passionate about food and love figuring out how things work, Nestlé is one of the best places to start.”
Learn more about Nestlé’s Graduate Programs and explore future opportunities here.
