New Product Development Assistant - Advanced Business Admin Apprentice
BAKKAVOR GROUP PLC
Newark, Spalding
Closes in 20 days (Monday 9 March 2026)
Posted on 16 February 2026
Contents
Summary
Within our product development function we have Development assistants who support the chef and development team. Our development assistants contribute significantly to the efficiency of our development function.
- Wage
-
£19,000 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Increasing to £22,000 in Year
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5.00pm.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
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2 years
- Positions available
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2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- You will have a real job from day one and make a genuine contribution to the business
- Essentially, the responsibilities of the role are to support and engage with specific parts of the organisation and interact with internal and/or external customers, with a focus on adding value, but the real flavour of the job will come from the team you are working with
- In this role, working as an NPD Assistant, you will be working with our Development Team!
- You will communicate with multiple teams across the business, support customer visits, and complete administrative tasks to support all aspects of the product development cycle
- You will be expected to undertake the role efficiently and with integrity – showing a positive attitude. The role involves demonstrating effective communication skills (both written and verbal) and adopting a proactive approach to developing skills
- The business administrator is also expected to show initiative, managing priorities and own time, problem-solving and decision-making skills
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- Jessop Way, Newark Industrial Estate, Newark, NG24 2ER
- West Marsh Road, Spalding, PE11 2BB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
DEERE APPRENTICESHIPS LTD
Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
- Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
- Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
- Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
- Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
- Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
- Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
- Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.
Training schedule
This is a 2-year programme, during which time you will undertake the Level 3 Advanced Business Administrator standard and qualification
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Desirable qualifications
Other in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Strong IT Skills
- Competent social media skills
- Decision-Making
- Proactive
Other requirements
- You should be an excellent communicator with strong attention to detail and be able to think resourcefully
- You’ll have support and direction from a fun, friendly, experienced, and well-established team
About this employer
Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we’re one of the UK’s leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make every day taste better.
As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we’re proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life. Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between. In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn.
Our extensive direct to store (DTS) network, with 17 depots across the UK, allows us to deliver fresh and frozen food both our own and from trusted partners to thousands of stores every day, ensuring consumers enjoy the very best, whenever and wherever they shop.
After this apprenticeship
- At the end of your programme, if you have successfully completed your apprenticeship and achieved the performance targets we have set for you, you are guaranteed a permanent role with us
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
DEERE APPRENTICESHIPS LTD
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000015711.
Apply now
Closes in 20 days (Monday 9 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.