Packaging Degree Apprentice

BAKKAVOR GROUP PLC

Spalding (PE11 2BB)

Closes in 18 days (Monday 9 March 2026)

Posted on 16 February 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

You’ll support our sites and the Packaging Development team in delivering packaging development activity in response to multiple stakeholder briefs, which optimise sustainability, quality aesthetics and operational/supply chain efficiency & complexity and that ensure legislative and code of practice compliance. 

Wage

£22,500 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Increasing to £30,000 over the 4 years.

Training course
Packaging professional (integrated degree) (level 6)
Hours
Monday to Friday between 8.30am to 5pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

4 years

Positions available

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.  
  • Support the Packaging team to effectively deliver the packaging activity to the highest standard, ensuring delivery of projects through critical path management.  
  • Maintain internal and external KPI documents, trackers and databases.  
  • Build effective internal working relationships across key functions to ensure the delivery of the Packaging activity in line with the guidance and direction provided.  
  • Support the management of multiple packaging projects through relevant stages.   
  • Build a good understanding of the relevant site capabilities. Be able to leverage opportunity through knowledge of Group capability.  
  • Where directed by the Packaging Development team provide support to site-based team post-handover with implementation of new packaging.  
  • Supports in the continued advancement of data management systems for packaging.  
  • Keep abreast of current and upcoming packaging legislation to understand the impact on the business and our customers.  

Where you'll work

Bakkavor Meals
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

SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY

Training course

Packaging professional (integrated degree) (level 6)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Generate packaging concepts and ideas.
  • Collect, analyse and use technical packaging data.
  • Apply procedures for physical measurement and testing of materials and packaging.
  • Plan and lead on selecting procedures, and methods for packaging tasks. For example, line trials.
  • Apply project management tools and techniques.
  • Plan and manage own time.
  • Identify costs and create a draft budget for sign-off.
  • Identify and apply quality and performance standards. For example, internal, product quality, transit safety, and food safety.
  • Apply safe systems of work.
  • Carry out risk identification, assessment, and management.
  • Identify and manage factors affecting project implementation.
  • Use techniques and tools for prototyping, for example process or product development.
  • Apply principles of marketing to evaluate and select ideas.
  • Apply research an enquiry techniques. For example, market research, consumer testing, desktop research, academic and literature research.
  • Communicate written content and prepare technical information. For example, draft and final specifications, purchase agreements, contracts, and technical reports.
  • Apply communication techniques to inform technical and non-technical colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Prepare and deliver presentations.
  • Use digital systems, software and tools. For example, computer aided engineering, business management systems, and palletisation software.
  • Assess environmental, social, and economical sustainability factors. For example, life-cycle analysis.
  • Identify and apply environmental sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Apply critical thinking and problem-solving techniques.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Monitor and evaluate individual and team performance.
  • Provide advice and guidance to others.
  • Agree objectives with individuals and teams.
  • Apply knowledge sharing, coaching and mentoring techniques.
  • Build and maintain collaborative working relationships.
  • Use negotiation and influencing techniques with colleagues or stakeholders.
  • Share and evaluate feedback on individual and team performance.
  • Develop and extend professional knowledge.
  • Generate packaging concepts and ideas.
  • Collect, analyse and use technical packaging data.
  • Apply procedures for physical measurement and testing of materials and packaging.
  • Plan and lead on selecting procedures, and methods for packaging tasks. For example, line trials.
  • Apply project management tools and techniques.
  • Plan and manage own time.
  • Identify costs and create a draft budget for sign-off.
  • Identify and apply quality and performance standards. For example, internal, product quality, transit safety, and food safety.
  • Apply safe systems of work.
  • Carry out risk identification, assessment, and management.
  • Identify and manage factors affecting project implementation.
  • Use techniques and tools for prototyping, for example process or product development.
  • Apply principles of marketing to evaluate and select ideas.
  • Apply research an enquiry techniques. For example, market research, consumer testing, desktop research, academic and literature research.
  • Communicate written content and prepare technical information. For example, draft and final specifications, purchase agreements, contracts, and technical reports.
  • Apply communication techniques to inform technical and non-technical colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Prepare and deliver presentations.
  • Use digital systems, software and tools. For example, computer aided engineering, business management systems, and palletisation software.
  • Assess environmental, social, and economical sustainability factors. For example, life-cycle analysis.
  • Identify and apply environmental sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance.
  • Apply and promote policies and practices to support equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Apply critical thinking and problem-solving techniques.
  • Apply continuous improvement techniques.
  • Monitor and evaluate individual and team performance.
  • Provide advice and guidance to others.
  • Agree objectives with individuals and teams.
  • Apply knowledge sharing, coaching and mentoring techniques.
  • Build and maintain collaborative working relationships.
  • Use negotiation and influencing techniques with colleagues or stakeholders.
  • Share and evaluate feedback on individual and team performance.
  • Develop and extend professional knowledge.

Training schedule

You will work towards Level 6 Degree Level Apprenticeship.

You will also take part in a soft skills development programme. 

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.  

The sustainability agenda continues to gain momentum and is a significant focus within Bakkavor.  Packaging is a huge part of our business and there will be opportunities for the role to grow and for you to aspire to be a Packaging Manager as well as opportunities for location moves and both sideways and upwards promotions.

 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • in English + three others (grade 9 – 4 or A*- C)
  • Maths (grade 9 – 5 or A*- C)

A Level in:

(3) including IT, Maths, or a related fie (grade A*- C)

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

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.

https://www.bakkavorearlycareers.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Best of all, upon successfully completing this two-year apprenticeship you will be guaranteed a full-time role with Bakkavor. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000015415.

Apply now

Closes in 18 days (Monday 9 March 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.