R&D Packaging Design Excellence Placement

Mondelez; Stirchley; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Mondelez International offers an R&D Packaging Design Excellence Internship as part of the Taste The Future Program in the UK. You will contribute to early-stage packaging concepts, translate brand stories into premium packaging, and work with global and regional teams to deliver elevated, sustainable design experiences.

You’ll gain real responsibilities from day one, with mentoring from senior packaging developers and opportunities to present ideas across the business.

Qualifications

• Education in Industrial/Product Design, Packaging Design, or related discipline.
• Creative mindset with curiosity and willingness to challenge norms.
• Strong visual communication skills through sketches, mock-ups, storyboards and visuals.

Responsibilities

• Support design ideation, concept development and packaging storytelling for premium chocolate experiences.
• Contribute to consumer-centric design thinking workshops and ideation sprints.
• Create mood boards, sketches, mock-ups and digital renderings of packaging concepts.
• Benchmark premium packaging across sectors to inform design decisions.
• Explore materials, finishes, shapes and structures to elevate shelf presence.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Design Agencies, Product and Consumer Science.
• Prepare presentation materials for internal showcases and stakeholder alignment.

Skills

Creativity

Visual communication

Collaboration

Agility

Curiosity

Education

Industrial/Product Design background

Packaging Design background

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Esko ArtiosCAD

SolidWorks

Rhino

KeyShot

Job description

About the Role

Are you studying towards a Degree in Industrial/Product Design, Packaging Design or related disciplines? Do you want a taste of the career you could have with Mondelez? Sink your teeth into one of our internships.

R&D Internships - Taste The Future Program UK are 12 months long (although some roles have the flexibility to be shorter) and during your placement, we’ll make you an integral part of our team and give you a real job – with real responsibilities – from day one. We hope to help you expand your horizons and will encourage your personal and professional development.

We want to make sure you get the most from your time with us. That’s why once you join we’ll work out ambitious but achievable goals for you. Then through the support of a buddy and regular reviews with your manager, we’ll help you achieve them.

Join the Packaging Premium Gifting and Innovation Team and help shape the future of chocolate packaging and elevate the consumer experience.

This R&D Packaging Design Excellence Internship - Taste The Future Program UK offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of design, innovation, and food packaging. You’ll contribute to early-stage packaging concepts for iconic brands, helping translate brand stories into premium, sustainable, and distinctive packaging experiences. You'll work closely with global and regional stakeholders to co-create ideas that feel elevated and meaningful.

Life in Research & Development (R&D)

• As an intern at Mondelēz International you will be responsible and accountable for your project(s).
• During the placement you will be expected to plan and execute tests of various scale (e.g. benchtop, pilot plant, and factory) as appropriate for your project as well as to coordinate informal sensory assessment.
• Key deliverables would be to produce technical reports/presentations and periodically communicate your key findings to stakeholders.
• You will also have the opportunity to interact with the wider R&D Community, other business functions and external suppliers.
• In addition to this you may also be expected to support other ongoing project activities in and outside of your immediate team.
• For some roles, occasional international travel may be required.

Key Responsibilities

• Support design ideation, concept development, and packaging storytelling for premium chocolate experiences.
• Contribute to consumer-centric design thinking workshops and ideation sprints.
• Assist in visualizing packaging concepts through mood boards, sketching, mock-ups, and digital renderings.
• Conduct benchmarking of premium packaging in food, cosmetics, fashion, and other sectors.
• Explore new shapes, materials, textures, finishes, and structures to elevate perceived value and shelf impact.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Design Agencies, Product, and Consumer Science.
• Support creation of presentation materials for internal showcases and stakeholder alignment.

What We’re Looking For

A creative, curious, and thoughtful mind who is excited about how packaging influences perception, emotion, and brand love. You are likely to have:

• Education: Background in Industrial/Product Design, Packaging Design, or related discipline.
• Creativity & Curiosity: You love to explore, ideate, and challenge the norm. You’re not afraid to ask, \"what if?\"
• Visual Communication Skills: Ability to clearly express ideas through sketches, mock-ups, storyboards, and visual presentations — from rough concepts to polished proposals.
• Software Proficiency: Familiarity with 2D design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), Esko ArtiosCAD, and 3Ddesign tools such as SolidWorks, Rhino, KeyShot, or similar.
• Consumer Focus: You think from the perspective of the consumer and are keen to design for emotion and delight.
• Collaborative Mindset: Comfortable working in diverse teams with marketers, engineers, designers, and suppliers.
• Agility: Able to manage multiple tasks, adapt quickly, and respond to feedback constructively.

What You’ll Gain

• Experience working on real-world innovation and packaging concept projects.
• Insight into Mondelez’s creative development process in an international R&D setting.
• Mentoring and feedback from senior R&D packaging developers and innovation leads.
• Opportunities to present and showcase your ideas across the business.
• A collaborative, inclusive, and consumer-obsessed culture.

Salary and Eligibility

Starting salary: £23,793

This position does not meet the minimum salary requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Therefore, we are unable to consider applicants who require sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.

We celebrate diversity, so if you require any adjustment to take part in our hiring process, let us know and we will work with you to help remove barriers and make the process accessible. You never have to disclose more than you're comfortable with - just tell us what you need. Please see the details on our dedicated D&I careers page.