Summary
Would you like to work with and learn from the biggest brands in the world, bringing your purpose to life with your work? Together, we can feel good about the work we do every day. You will be part of a team leading the way in developing new sustainable packaging (bottles, caps, jars, labels + many more formats) and products.
Annual wage
£22,716 a year
Training course
Packaging professional (integrated degree) (level 6)
Hours
Typical day is Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
40 hours a week
Possible start date
Monday 8 September
Duration
5 years
Positions available
1
Work
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you’ll do at work
* As a Packaging Research and Development Apprentice, you will be part of a team leading the way in developing new sustainable packaging (bottles, caps, jars, labels + many more formats) and products. You will have the opportunity to work in different packaging functions to develop your skills. This will include, working in hands on in our testing lab. Here you will work with various pieces of equipment and refine your understanding of our different test methods and practises, ensuring our pack designs are suitable for our Supply Chain and provide our consumers with the in-use experience they expect.
* You’ll also experience more management and development work as you rotate through our Packaging Excellence, Design, Sustainability and Brand Innovation teams. Here you will get to work on new packaging design/technology projects from concept to launch, collaborating with different teams within Unilever to deliver a high quality, sustainable, desirable pack to market.
Where you’ll work
Research Laboratory
Quarry Road East
Bebington
Wirral
CH63 3JW
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
Your training course
Packaging professional (integrated degree) (level 6)
Equal to degree
Course contents
* Translate customer briefs to determine a technical packaging brief, which considers business, consumer, operational and sustainability requirements.
* Identify, design, develop and source packaging solutions demonstrating best value, environmental impact and fitness for purpose to meet briefs.
* Critically analyse and apply packaging design options against complex inter-related touchpoints to meet the needs from design to end of life, e.g. environmental impact using life cycle assessment.
* Liaise and coordinate with other stakeholders (e.g. supplier, R&D, marketing, finance, technical) to deliver packaging development projects. When appropriate take the lead and drive the project.
* Initiate and lead projects, using project management tools and skills to deliver projects to time, cost, specification and quality.
* Identify and control project risks through mitigation plans.
* Define parameters, design of experiments, success criteria and protocols for projects appropriate to the brief.
* Lead the design and management of packaging trials (e.g. prototypes, production of samples, transit, shelf life, sensory, machine-ability).
* Document and evaluate trials at different project stages (e.g. laboratory, pilot plant, supplier, filling and packing, transit and distribution) recommending further activities.
* Report results and conclusions. Hypothesise and recommend further adaptions and optimisations.
* Ensure compliance with packaging and market regulatory requirements.
* Demonstrate financial acumen, e.g. managing budget(s); interpreting financial data and evaluating total product costs and their impact throughout the value chain.
* Investigate and interpret non-conformance issues related to Packaging. Resolve using root cause analysis and apply change management.
* Effectively communicate with stakeholders at different levels, building positive working relationships; influencing and persuading key stakeholders effectively.
* Translate business strategy into internal and external capability building programmes (e.g. supplier quality improvement programmes).
* Demonstrate critical thinking, analytical and statistical skills to evaluate and interpret complex information and data (e.g. process capability).
* Proactively identify opportunities to improve packaging based on an analysis of costs, continuous improvement, environmental impact, waste avoidance and process improvements.
* Provide comprehensive technical services to internal colleagues, customers and suppliers.
* Coach and/or mentor.
* Use visual and digital tools systems, e.g. project management, computer aided engineering, business management systems, palletisation software.
Your training plan
* As an apprentice, you’ll receive on-the-job training and experience in an administrative position along with formal training to gain the knowledge and skills you’ll need to support our business operations.
* You’ll join a team with a dedicated line manager committed to enhancing your career experiences. You will receive the BSc in Packaging Technology (integrated degree) upon completion of this programme.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
A Level or equivalent in:
* 3 subjects, including 2 STEM subjects (grade BBC or above)
GCSE in:
* English Language and Maths (grade 4/C or above)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Team working
* Creative
Other requirements
Please note: we open for applications once a year and work on a rolling basis, which means that as soon as we reach the required number of applications, we will close the process for that role/business area. Therefore, we advise applying as early as possible once applications go live to avoid disappointment.