At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative gifting concepts and collaborate with major UK retailers.
- Company: Fast-growing business at the intersection of horticulture, food, and retail gifting.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and strong mentoring from an experienced team.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career progression opportunities in NPD and product design.
- Why this job: Gain direct exposure to retail customers and influence product development from concept to launch.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science, Product Design, or similar; strong creative and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 € per year.
Location: Lincolnshire (on-site)
Salary: £30,000 – £35,000
About the Role
This is a high-exposure, early-career opportunity within a fast-growing business operating at the intersection of horticulture, ambient food, and retail gifting. You’ll work on seasonal and core gifting ranges supplied to major UK retailers, contributing to products seen by millions of consumers. The role combines creative design, product development, and commercial awareness, offering hands-on involvement across the full NPD lifecycle. Unlike traditional NPD roles, this position is retailer-facing, giving you early experience of how leading retailers shape product ranges, customer propositions, and category strategy.
Key Responsibilities
- Product Development & Design
- Develop innovative gifting and hamper concepts from retailer briefs
- Curate product selections (food and non-food) to create cohesive ranges
- Contribute to packaging design, layout, and visual presentation
- Create mood boards, concept decks, and internal presentations
- End-to-End NPD Lifecycle
- Support all stages of development: concept - costing - sampling - launch
- Ensure products are commercially viable and aligned with target margins
- Manage timelines across multiple seasonal projects
- Retailer Collaboration
- Translate retailer briefs into commercially viable concepts
- Support presentations and concept positioning
- Respond to feedback and refine products accordingly
- Build understanding of retail decision-making (range, pricing, packaging)
- Cross-Functional Working
- Collaborate with technical, commercial, operations, and procurement teams
- Balance creativity with cost, compliance, and production feasibility
- Market & Trend Analysis
- Conduct competitor benchmarking across UK retail
- Analyse trends in gifting, packaging, and seasonal categories
- Participate in store visits and trend research
What Makes This Role Different
- Direct exposure to major UK retail customers
- Combination of creative design and commercial decision-making
- Early involvement in client-facing product development
- Full visibility of the product lifecycle
- Strong mentoring from an experienced, collaborative team
Candidate Profile
- Essential
- Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Product Design, or similar
- Strong creative mindset with commercial awareness
- Confident communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Desirable
- Placement year or internship in NPD, FMCG, retail, or packaging/design
- Exposure to product development processes
- Awareness of food safety or production environments
Behavioural Fit
You’ll thrive if you are:
- Curious about consumer products and retail trends
- Adaptable and resilient in a seasonal, fast-paced environment
- Collaborative, with strong relationship-building skills
- Detail-oriented with a focus on quality
- Proactive, with a strong sense of ownership
Working Pattern
- Full-time, on-site role
- Peak period: September – December
- Occasional travel for retail visits and trend research
Career Development
This role offers a strong foundation for progression into:
- NPD / Innovation roles
- Product Design
- Commercial or Category Management
- Retail-facing development positions
Junior NPD Designer in Spalding employer: High Profile Resourcing Ltd
Join a dynamic and innovative team in Lincolnshire as a Junior NPD Designer, where you'll have the unique opportunity to work directly with major UK retailers on exciting gifting and hamper products. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and professional growth, providing you with hands-on experience across the entire product development lifecycle while being mentored by industry experts. With a focus on employee development and a vibrant environment, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the retail gifting sector.
Contact Detail:
High Profile Resourcing Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior NPD Designer in Spalding
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio ready! Showcase your best design work and any relevant projects that highlight your creativity and commercial awareness. Make sure it’s visually appealing and easy to navigate, as this will be your first impression.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, connect with professionals on LinkedIn, and don’t hesitate to reach out to people in the NPD field. Building relationships can open doors and give you insights into the role that aren’t in the job description.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to their success. Tailor your answers to show you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior NPD Designer in Spalding
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Side:As a Junior NPD Designer, creativity is key! Make sure your application showcases your design skills and innovative thinking. Include examples of past projects or concepts that highlight your flair for product development.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter. Tailor your application to reflect the specific requirements of the role. Mention your understanding of retail gifting and how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:This role involves working closely with various teams, so emphasise your teamwork and communication skills. Share experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal, especially in fast-paced environments.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at High Profile Resourcing Ltd
✨Know Your Product Development
Make sure you brush up on the NPD lifecycle and be ready to discuss how you would approach product development from concept to launch. Familiarise yourself with the types of gifting and hamper products that are popular in the market, as well as any recent trends in retail.
✨Showcase Your Creative Mindset
Prepare a portfolio or examples of your previous design work, especially anything related to food or retail. Be ready to talk about your creative process and how you translate ideas into commercially viable products. Highlight your ability to create mood boards and concept decks.
✨Understand Retailer Needs
Research major UK retailers and their product ranges. Be prepared to discuss how you would tailor your designs to meet specific retailer briefs and how you would respond to feedback. This shows that you understand the importance of collaboration in this role.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder engagement, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated ideas or collaborated with others, as this will be key in building relationships with both internal teams and external retailers.
