Junior NPD Designer – Retail Gifting & Hampers
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