Register Your Interest - Packaging Degree Apprenticeship

Register Your Interest - Packaging Degree Apprenticeship

Our purpose is to create a brighter future with you and for you. That future begins in Research and Development (R&D). If you want to develop into your best self while being part of a global organisation that can take you in any direction you choose, this is for you. 

There are always new ways for our products to improve the lives of our consumers and have a positive impact on the planet. In R&D you'll find out what consumers want and develop the technology to make our innovations come to life. Unilever R&D apprentices follow a structured programme that allows you to put your science education and passion into practice while getting a degree. 

Your Future Employer

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Beauty and Wellbeing, Home, and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 3.4 billion consumers daily. Founded in Port Sunlight (Wirral) in 1929 by Lord Lever, Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, TRESemmé, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Hellman’s, Persil, Domestos, Marmite, Wild, Graze, Vaseline, Sure, Colman’s and Pot Noodle.  

Our goal is to deliver best-in-class performance with market making, unmissably superior brands. From our earliest days Unilever has been at the forefront of change always striving towards making a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘Brightening everyday life for all’.

What is the job?

As a Packaging Research and Development Apprentice, you will be part of a team leading the way in developing new sustainable packaging and products. You will have the opportunity to work in different packaging functions to develop your skills in Packaging Excellence, Design, Sustainability and Innovation project delivery while getting a packaging BSc from Sheffield Hallam University.  

What do we look for?

We are looking for enthusiastic, creative & curious individuals who want to be part of changing the future of packaging. Successful candidates will need to work both independently and as part of a team and feel comfortable with embracing new technology to continuously improve how we work. You will need to be adaptable to take on diverse aspects of the packaging role and participate constructively to solving problems. 

What could your day to day look like?

As a packaging apprentice you will have the opportunity of working in different stages of the packaging development process. You could be part of a creative session to explore new packaging concepts or working to bring new ideas to life through prototyping and obtaining physical samples. You could be working to help ensure that new packaging solutions are fit for purpose by validating them in out testing laboratory or running trials through our simulated manufacturing facility. Once you have the final packaging agreed you will be working with the innovation teams to bring them to market, collaborating with packaging suppliers and our manufacturing sites to ensure that we can produce millions of them to the desired quality, sustainability profile and cost that our consumers desire. 

What support do we offer?

Throughout your apprenticeship you will work closely with a work-based mentor who will support your through your apprenticeship journey. As well as helping to organise your work-based activities, they will take an active part in supporting your university programme, holding regular review sessions with the university learning mentor to ensure that your work-based programme complements the University objectives. 

What can Unilever off YOU?

• A Competitive Salary of £18,841
• A pension Scheme
• A discounted staff shop
• Subsidised Gym Memberships
• Shares
• 25 days of holiday allowance

Diversity at Unilever is about championing inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. To celebrate this, we have internal networks and communities created to raise awareness for a cause, which work to create change within the business. These networks include Proud, Empower, Enable and Unity and our communities include Thriving Parents, Carers and All Inclusion Club.    

We give full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.     

We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes, and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.   

Duration  

5 years 

Requirements 

Have 5 GCSEs including English Language and Maths at grade 4 or above. Have or are predicted a minimum of 3 A-levels or equivalent with grades of BBC or above including 2 STEM subjects.  

Locations Available

Port Sunlight (Wirral)

Application Process:

Stage 1 - Complete the online application form and tell us about your motivation for choosing Unilever and your selected apprenticeship programme.

Stage 2 - Situational Judgment Test, which gives you realistic, hypothetical scenarios where you will be asked to identify the most appropriate response. You will also have a numerical and verbal reasoning test at this point

Stage 3 – In-Person Discovery Centre, immersing yourself in business challenges and an interview

Discovery Centre

Dates TBC for our 2025/26 cycle.

Closing date:  

Dates TBC for or 2025/26 cycle.

If you have any questions about your application or if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to complete any part of the application process, please contact the Future Careers Team. If you would like to discuss any mitigating circumstances before making an application, please also contact the team using the following contact details:  

 Phone: 020 3650 2304 or e-mail: futurecareers.recruitment@unilever.com.  

Recruitment Fraud  

Cyber criminals advertise fake job adverts with prestigious employers as a way of stealing information or even defrauding individuals out of money. In the most sophisticated cases, they will set up fake websites, which have a similar address to companies like Unilever. They even conduct fake telephone interviews and then offer candidates a role with the proviso they pay a fee for background checks or to cover work visa costs.  These types of attacks are becoming more common as more people are looking for employment in the economic climate.  

How is Unilever tackling this?  

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scan for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and act to close them down.  

What can I do?  

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat.  

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key!