At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative gifting designs 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 early exposure to product development and retail decision-making.
- Qualifications: Degree in Food Science, Product Design, or similar; strong creative and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
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 will 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 will 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 Lincoln employer: Resourcing Group
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 commercial awareness, providing you with hands-on experience across the entire product development lifecycle. With strong mentorship and clear pathways for career progression, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in a fast-growing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior NPD Designer in Lincoln
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up social media groups related to product design and retail gifting. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to present your ideas, make sure to bring your A-game. Use mood boards and concept decks to visually communicate your thoughts. Remember, first impressions count, so let your passion shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Stay on top of trends! Keep an eye on what's hot in the gifting and retail world. Do some competitor benchmarking and visit stores to see what’s working. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also in creating concepts that retailers will love.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. By applying directly, you’ll be one step closer to landing that Junior NPD Designer role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Junior NPD Designer in Lincoln
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 on projects or responded to feedback to refine your ideas.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen and ready to take the next step in your career with StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Resourcing Group
✨Know Your Product Development
Make sure you brush up on the NPD lifecycle. Understand how concepts evolve from initial ideas to final products. Be ready to discuss your thoughts on how to create innovative gifting and hamper concepts that align with retailer briefs.
✨Showcase Your Creative Mindset
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your design skills and any relevant projects you've worked on. Bring mood boards or concept decks if you have them, as they can really demonstrate your creative process and how you approach product design.
✨Understand Retailer Collaboration
Familiarise yourself with how major UK retailers operate. Be prepared to discuss how you would translate retailer briefs into commercially viable concepts and how you would respond to feedback during the development process.
✨Demonstrate Your Market Awareness
Research current trends in gifting and packaging. Be ready to share insights from competitor benchmarking or any store visits you've done. Showing that you’re proactive about understanding the market will impress interviewers.
