Hannah lands tasty role at Mackies

A TALENTED graduate has kick-started a dream career developing ice cream and chocolate in the “creative heart” of Mackie’s of Scotland’s family farm – where it makes its sweet treats.

Hannah Beattie, 25, landed the tasty role as the NPD (new product development) coordinator and will hone her knowledge and palate as she is tasked with devising new flavour combinations, sauces and fresh innovations.

She applied for the job following a master’s degree in tourism and hospitality management at Robert Gordon University, switching careers after losing her job as a result of the first lockdown.

The 12-month term role is part of the Opportunity North East [ONE] Graduate into Business initiative, with the possibility that it will develop into a permanent position.

Mackie’s busy NPD kitchen has created some of the country’s best-loved sweet treats and its small team is tasked with constantly creating new flavours and improved recipes for Mackie’s ice cream and chocolate ranges.

Now through her intensive induction period, which required her getting a full understanding of each element of the business along with extensive taste-testing, Hannah has settled into her new role.

She said: “My induction has flown by, I am learning so much every day. I’ve been working on mood boards and adding to my portfolio of ideas to help create new and exciting flavour combinations.

“Part of the challenge is fully conceptualising these ideas right through to how they will result in a finished product, but I have had a tremendous amount of support thus far from the team at Mackie’s.”

After seeing the job advert on LinkedIn, the young hopeful applied for the position with the Aberdeenshire farm.

Impressing the interviewers with her creativity within the practical elements of the interview, Hannah received a call the following day to say that she had got the job.

Kirstin McNutt, Development Director with Mackie’s of Scotland, said: “Hannah has shown an immense amount of talent and creativity thus far, and we are delighted to have her on board.

“We are looking forward to seeing the exciting ideas that she will come up with, in what is the creative heart of our business.”