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Packaging Development Technologist Apprentice
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Work on iconic British brands like Oxo, Bisto and Mr Kipling.
Curious to learn how products go from concept to supermarket shelves? We’re looking for an enthusiastic Packaging Development Technologist Apprentice to play a key role in designing, testing and delivering innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.
Wage: £23,809 a year
A competitive salary, increasing each year based on successful academic and practical progress
Training course: Packaging professional (integrated degree) (level 6)
Hours: Monday - Friday, Shifts to be confirmed. 37 hours a week
Start date: Monday 14 September 2026
Duration: 4 years
Positions available: 1
What you'll do at work
Working closely with your Packaging Development Manager and Senior Packaging Technologist, you will:
- Work as part of a cross-functional project team to bring innovative packaging concepts to life, developing ideas from initial concept through to launch
- Explore new technologies and materials that can improve packaging performance, have sustainability benefits or value improvement opportunities, and communicate developments to key stakeholders
- Support and take ownership of packaging development projects, including factory trials, supplier onboarding, print runs, and product launches
- Help define what success looks like for each project and ensure it’s delivered
- Attend and participate in face-to-face and remote meetings, related to project work and other R&D activities
- Work hands-on with production
- Get involved in factory trials and learn how packaging performs on real production lines, including setting objectives and defining success criteria for trials
- Support implementation of new packaging and value improvement opportunities across manufacturing sites and co-packers
- Work closely with multiple functions across the business including technical, quality, regulatory, manufacturing, marketing and innovation
- Build relationships with key site operations and engineering functions and build levels of packaging technical knowledge within these teams, through hands-on training and use of external training through suppliers etc.
- Build strong partnerships with packaging suppliers to develop innovative packaging solutions for new products, core product improvements, sustainability challenges or value improvement projects
- Identify opportunities to improve packaging performance, reduce waste, and increase efficiency
- Support cost-saving initiatives and explore opportunities to bring 3rd party production in-house
- Help maintain packaging specifications and packaging databases, ensuring correct data is captured
- Maintain and correct cutter guides and sign off new artwork against packaging responsibilities
- Ensure all packaging meets legal and regulatory requirements in the UK and internationally
- Contribute to sustainability reporting, compliance documentation and data capture
- Gain hands-on experience with packaging materials and machinery
- Build understanding of wide range of packaging materials and machinery, ensuring that key performance criteria are captured as part of the specification
- Support training and knowledge sharing within teams
- Regularly review progress with your skills tutor and Packaging Development Manager
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Where you'll work
Claylands Avenue
Worksop
S81 7AY
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
Training course
Packaging professional (integrated degree) (level 6)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Generate packaging concepts and ideas.
- Collect, analyse and use technical packaging data.
- Apply procedures for physical measurement and testing of materials and packaging.
- Plan and lead on selecting procedures, and methods for packaging tasks. For example, line trials.
- Apply project management tools and techniques.
- Plan and manage own time.
- Identify costs and create a draft budget for sign-off.
- Identify and apply quality and performance standards. For example, internal, product quality, transit safety, and food safety.
- Apply safe systems of work.
- Carry out risk identification, assessment, and management.
- Identify and manage factors affecting project implementation.
- Use techniques and tools for prototyping, for example process or product development.
- Apply principles of marketing to evaluate and select ideas.
- Apply research and enquiry techniques. For example, market research, consumer testing, desktop research, academic and literature research.
- Communicate written content and prepare technical information. For example, draft and final specifications, purchase agreements, contracts, and technical reports.
- Apply communication techniques to inform technical and non-technical colleagues and stakeholders.
- Prepare and deliver presentations.
- Use digital systems, software and tools. For example, computer aided engineering, business management systems, and palletisation software.
- Assess environmental, social, and economical sustainability factors. For example, life-cycle analysis.
- Identify and apply environmental sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance.
- Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving techniques.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques.
- Monitor and evaluate individual and team performance.
- Provide advice and guidance to others.
- Agree objectives with individuals and teams.
- Apply knowledge sharing, coaching and mentoring techniques.
- Build and maintain collaborative working relationships.
- Use negotiation and influencing techniques with colleagues or stakeholders.
- Share and evaluate feedback on individual and team performance.
- Develop and extend professional knowledge.
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Training schedule
This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in:
- English (grade 4 or above)
- Maths (grade 4 or above)
- A Level in:
- Science, Maths, Design and Technology preferred (grade 96 UCAS points)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Patience
About this employer
Premier Foods is one of Britain’s biggest listed food companies, employing over 4,500 colleagues at 13 manufacturing sites and offices up and down the country. Many of our brands have been part of UK life for more than a century and you’ll find them in 94% of British households. At Premier Foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.
https://www.premierfoods.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Company pension scheme
- 5 weeks’ holiday + bank holidays
- Staff discount scheme
- Onsite subsidised canteen
- Company shop
- BOOST - our Apprentice Skills Development Network
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions. You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Packaging Development Technologist
Packaging Development Manager
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041868.
Apply now
Closes in 18 days (Friday 31 July 2026)
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