Two people in conversation at a table in a modern office environment.

Packaging Professional Apprenticeship - UK and Ireland

As we receive a high volume of applications, please make sure to read the job descriptions on our website carefully and apply for the ONE function you are most interested in. Only your first application will be considered.

Ready to Explore? Ready to Grow? Unilever’s Apprenticeship Programme is Calling You!

Our apprenticeship programmes allow people from all backgrounds to find their purpose and rise to their full potential, whilst learning invaluable skills and earning a wage. All our programmes offer you on the job experience and formal training to give you the knowledge and skills to fire-up your career and give you the opportunity to work towards nationally recognised qualifications.

From the engineers in our factories to the scientists in our R&D sites, and from our Customer Development teams working with retailers to our Marketing teams building iconic brands, our apprentices bring fresh ideas that help us meet the everyday needs of our consumers

Applications are now closed for our 2026 intake but watch this space and follow @unilevercareersuk on Instagram for more information

Job description

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 role 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 will you receive during your apprenticeship?

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.

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

Port Sunlight (Wirral) office.

What can Unilever offer you?

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

Discovery Centres

18th and 19th February 2026

Closing date

This is a rolling deadline, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment in case applications close early.

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: futurecareers.recruitment@unilever.com.

Application process

Step 1: Online Application

Complete the online application form and tell us about your motivation for choosing Unilever and your selected apprenticeship programme.
1
Step 2: Online Assessments

Situational judgement test which gives you realistic hypothetical scenarios where you will be asked to identify the most appropriate response. You will also complete a numerical reasoning assessment, an online test that measures your ability to interpret and draw conclusions from numerical data and verbal reasoning assessment an online test that measures your ability to understand and evaluate written information.
2
Step 3: Discovery Centre

Candidates who perform well in the online assessments will be invited to complete a video interview.3
Stage 4 – In person discovery centre

In person discovery centre immersing yourself in new business challenges and an interview.

4
4

Packaging Professional Apprenticeship - UK and Ireland

Ready to Explore? Ready to Grow? Unilever’s Apprenticeship Programme is Calling You!

Job description

What is the job?

What do we look for?

What could your day-to-day role look like?

What support will you receive during your apprenticeship?

Duration

Requirements

Locations

What can Unilever offer you?

Discovery Centres

Closing date

Application process

Step 1: Online Application

Step 2: Online Assessments

Step 3: Discovery Centre

Stage 4 – In person discovery centre

Applications open:

Discovery Centres:

Start date:

Join our talent network

Connect with us

Contact us