NPD Packaging Developer Apprenticeship (Food Technologist Level 3)

Kinnerton Confectionery; Fakenham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 33,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting salary £24,784.76

Potential to £33,000 after completion

Health care cash plan via Paycare

4% employer pension contribution

Life Assurance x4 basic salary

Accommodation provided for Lincoln (re

33 days total including bank holidays

Job summary

Kinnerton Confectionery in Fakenham is recruiting an NPD Packaging Developer Apprentice to help create packaging concepts for NOMO and Kinnerton brands. You will work across production, technical, quality, procurement, marketing teams, assisting from concept through launch, and attending apprenticeship blocks at Lincoln University Centre of Food Manufacturing.

The 28-month apprenticeship starts October 2026.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above.
• Interest in food manufacturing, packaging or product development.
• Willingness to learn through a formal apprenticeship with Lincoln University.

Responsibilities

• Support development of packaging solutions for NOMO, Kinnerton Kids and retailer-branded products.
• Assist with concept-to-launch packaging projects and post-launch reviews.
• Participate in factory packaging trials and data analysis.
• Collaborate with Production, Technical, Quality, Procurement, Commercial and Marketing teams.
• Attend apprenticeship blocks and complete coursework and assessments.

Skills

Organisational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Willingness to learn

Attention to detail

Education

GCSE English (Grade 4/C)

GCSE Maths (Grade 4/C)

Food Technologist Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Word

Excel

Job description

Kinnerton Confectionery, Fakenham NR21 8AF

Have you ever picked up a chocolate advent calendar, a NOMO bar or a seasonal chocolate gift and wondered how it got from an idea on to a retailer's store? At Kinnerton Confectionery, our NPD team are at the heart of the business, creating exciting new products and packaging that delight customers across the UK. As our NPD Packaging Developer Apprentice, you'll play a hands-on role in bringing innovative packaging concepts to life for major retailers and award-winning chocolate brands like NOMO and Kinnerton Kids. The formal learning part of your apprenticeship will be delivered by Lincoln University Centre of Food Manufacturing. Review more about the course here https//www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/finteca3/

Position type

Temporary for the duration of the Apprenticeship (28 months)

Hours

37.5

Shift Pattern

Monday - Friday, 0830 - 1630

Key Benefits

• Earn while you learn on a starting salary of £24,784.76, with earning potential to increase up to £33,000 following successful completion of apprenticeship, Health care cash plan via Paycare

Start Date

October 2026

Advert Closing Date

07/09/2026

• Support the development of exciting packaging solutions for NOMO, Kinnerton Kids and retailer-branded products
• Assist with projects from initial concept through to launch and post-launch review
• Participate in factory packaging trials and testing activities
• Work closely with Production, Technical, Quality, Procurement, Commercial and Marketing teams
• Learn how packaging must balance creativity, sustainability, functionality and cost
• Help review customer feedback, product performance, retailer requirements and industry trends
• Assist with packaging specifications, project documentation and data analysis
• Attend apprenticeship learning blocks and successfully complete all coursework and assessments

In this role, you won't just observe - you'll be contributing to real packaging projects that end up on retailer shelves across the UK. You'll learn

• How new confectionery products are developed and launched
• How packaging combines creativity, functionality and sustainability
• What different teams across a food manufacturing business do
• How customer feedback, retailer requirements and product performance influence future innovation
• How successful products progress from a concept idea to a finished product in store

You'll gain exposure to the entire product lifecycle while building relationships with teams across the business and learning from experienced packaging specialists.

• GCSE English Maths at Grade 4 (previously C)
• A genuine interest in food manufacturing, packaging or product development
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Good communication skills and a willingness to learn
• Confidence using Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word and Excel
• Ability to travel to Lincoln for residential study blocks throughout the apprenticeship (accommodation provided by Kinnerton)
• Food Technologist Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification
• Practical experience within a leading confectionery manufacturer
• Mentoring from experienced NPD and packaging professionals
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (33 days in total)
• 4% employer pension contribution
• Life Assurance x4 basic salary
• Health Care Cash Plan via Paycare (Dental, Optical, Chiropody, Professional Therapy, Counselling cover), along with access to Paycare Perks for exclusive high street and retailer discounts.
• Excellent career development opportunities within food innovation

Kinnerton Confectionery is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

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