NPD Summer Placement Bellshill 2023

William Grant & Sons’ is a fifth-generation Scottish family distiller, with nearly three thousand employees globally, and a portfolio of premium brands including Glenfiddich Single Malt whisky, Hendricks Gin and Sailor Jerry rum. At William Grant & Sons, you will be empowered to excel. We aim to be a home where rare characters thrive, and we value every employee for their skills, experience and perspectives. Inspired by our independent spirit, we create our own legacy.

Our New Product Development (NPD) team have the unique position of linking the creative brand ideas of our marketing colleagues, with the reality of our operational capabilities. We achieve this through our structured process involving design agencies, packaging suppliers and production colleagues to deliver a high-quality end product to our consumers.

The role

This 12-week NPD Summer Placement is a rare and exciting opportunity to start building the foundation for a successful career. We are looking for two students to join our team to support our NPD project managers. You would be based at our bottling site in Strathclyde Business Park, Bellshill, where we produce more than 12 million cases of spirit every year.

Main Responsibility:

Our 12-week placement has been tailored to build upon the knowledge and skills you have gained throughout university life. We will immerse you in the spirit industry and guide you through exciting business experiences and unique project opportunities.

During your placement you will provide support to our four workstreams (Renovation, Innovation, Luxury and NPI) and be given specific areas of responsibility. As a WG&S NPD intern you will receive:

• A formal induction to both the NPD team, our processes, and the wider business.
• A varied but structured programme providing both hands-on and desk-based tasks.
• Involvement in live development projects across our portfolio of brands.
• Opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Support from team leaders, and your own mentor.
• A choice of individual project to work on throughout the placement, which will support our business objectives.

Our ideal candidate

Are you a current student looking to build experience within a global business which promotes the development of rare characters? Our ideal candidate will have:

• Completed at least three years of a technical or design related degree.
• An interest in understanding packaging componentry, it’s functions and materials.
• A good understanding of specifications and technical drawings.
• Strong organisational skills, be analytical and willing to learn new software.
• Ability to show initiative, understand processes, build relationships, and solve problems.
• Some experience of working within a cross-functional team, and a willingness to share ideas, expertise, and opinions.

Here at William Grant & Sons we are not only defined by our history but also inspired by the future. Our employees are at the heart of the business, and everyone has a voice. Our flat organisational structure means that our owners and senior managers are accessible. Decisions are made quickly, and new ideas and entrepreneurial thinking are embraced and rewarded. We want to attract the best people to learn and grow with our business. If this sounds like you, please get in touch.

When applying, can you please upload a 2nd document with the following information included:

• What attracts you to apply for the placement within William Grant & Sons and the spirits industry?
• How do you perceive this will help you achieve your career aspirations?
• What makes you a “rare” character and why should we select you for this opportunity?

Please answer the above questions on a separate Word or PDF document attached to your application or as an extra page at the top of your CV attachment. We also understand you may have existing commitments or holidays in place, so would be grateful if you could indicate your availability throughout the Summer.

Successful candidates will then be invited for a 30-minute discussion with two of the NPD team leaders’ w/c 15 th May. Successful candidates would start w/c 5 th June.

What we can offer you

What we can offer you

• Receive a tour of our production site in Bellshill, as well as our luxury production site Arete, in Cumbernauld.
• Visit suppliers where available, including print specialists, corrugate, and a glass manufacturer.
• The chance to obtain valuable industry contacts including our senior leadership.
• 12 weeks’ pay, with the ability to accommodate up to two weeks’ time off (combination of holiday pay/unpaid leave depending on exact duration).
• The chance to enjoy our fantastic portfolio of brands at a discounted price.

About William Grant Sons

A home for rare characters

William Grant & Sons: a home where Rare Characters thrive.

We value every employee for their rare character, distinctive skills, experience and perspectives. Every one of our colleagues has a role to play in helping us to achieve our growth ambitions.

At William Grant & Sons, our vision is to be A home where rare characters thrive. We value all colleagues for their rare character, distinctive skills, experience and perspectives. Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of how we do things at William Grant & Sons, fully aligned to our purpose and our company values. We strive to create an environment where we can all be our best and bring our whole selves to work.

Our agile working philosophy

Our agile working philosophy is to “Have your best work day everyday”.
Built on trust, we empower our rare characters to have their best work day every day. Where flexibility and positive working experiences help employees to feel connected and release potential across our teams.
We are open to discussing possible agile/flexible working options as part of the recruitment process.

Inclusive recruitment process

Diversity & Inclusion is at the heart of how we do things at William Grant & Sons, fully aligned to our purpose and our company values. We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive.