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Graphic Design Graduate Development Scheme 2026

Are you graduating in 2026 (or have recently graduated) and ready to take the first step in your career?

Don’t wait-kick start your professional journey by applying to Ultimate Products’ Graduate Development Scheme 2026.

What makes our graduate scheme unique?

We’re proud to be a Great Place to Work accredited employer, and our graduates are a huge part of what makes that possible. We’re committed to creating an environment where people feel supported, challenged and empowered to develop successful long term careers.

At Ultimate Products, our graduate programme is designed to give you a strong grounding in your chosen discipline, supported by structured training, regular reviews, mentoring and tailored development plans. With a dedicated Learning & Development focus and clear progression routes, you’ll be given the tools, exposure and responsibility needed to grow quickly and confidently.

It’s fast paced, but you’ll never be left to figure things out alone. With support from your team, mentors and the wider business, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact from early on-while continuing to develop both professionally and personally in a business that’s officially recognised as a Great Place to Work®.

The UP Story

Ultimate Products is a branded consumer goods business designing, developing and supplying innovative homeware products to over 300 major retailers across the UK and Europe.

Our portfolio includes more than 3,000 products across 15 well known brands, including household names such as Salter, Russell Hobbs and Beldray. Our products are stocked by leading retailers including Tesco, B&M and Morrisons, and are trusted for their quality, innovation and on trend design, backed by over 260 years of combined brand heritage.

Operating across 38 countries and with an annual turnover in excess of £165 million, we continue to grow at pace. With ambitious long term growth plans, this is an exciting time to join the business, offering graduates the opportunity to build their careers within a fast moving, expanding organisation.

The Opportunity - Graphic Design Pathway

As part of the Graduate Development Scheme, you’ll join our Brand team, supporting the creation and delivery of visual content across our portfolio of brands and product ranges.

Design plays a key role within Ultimate Products, ensuring our products, packaging and digital content are consistently high quality, on trend and aligned with brand identity. You’ll work closely with internal teams including Buying, Brand and E Commerce, contributing to the visual execution of products across multiple channels.

From early on, you’ll gain hands on experience across a variety of design tasks, building both your creative and technical skills. Typical exposure may include:

• Creating and maintaining product imagery and visual content for use across digital and retail platforms
• Editing, retouching and producing high quality visuals using Adobe Creative Suite
• Supporting the creation of packaging artwork and 3D product renders
• Producing accurate, print ready instruction manuals and artwork
• Assisting with creative and administrative tasks to support the wider design function

This is a fast paced, detail focused role offering excellent development opportunities for graduates looking to build a long term career in Graphic Design within a commercial business environment.

What We Look For

We’re looking for graduates who are motivated, creative and excited about building a career within a growing consumer goods business.

You will ideally have:

• A degree (2:1 or above), ideally in Graphic Design or a related discipline
• 6–12 months’ work experience (full time or part time) in any field
• Strong attention to detail and a good eye for design and layout
• Experience using Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisation skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks
• A proactive approach and willingness to learn
• The ability to commute to our Oldham office

Your creativity, attitude and willingness to develop are what matter most-we’ll support your growth every step of the way.

What’s In It For You?

We Care About Your Progression

• Comprehensive structured training and a personal development plan
• Regular mentoring and performance reviews
• Ongoing salary reviews as responsibility increases
• Free external training courses from recognised providers
• Save As You Earn share save scheme
• Salary sacrifice pension contribution of up to 10% in addition to standard pension

We Invest in Our People

• Modern £1.6m state of the art office in Oldham
• Private BUPA medical and dental care
• Employee wellbeing sessions and 24/7 support via Employee Assistance Helpline
• Community, Environmental and ESG committees
• One full paid day per year for charity work
• Free minibus to and from the local tram stop
• Prayer room and prayer friendly working hours
• 3pm finish every Friday
• Company football and netball teams, plus a book club

We Celebrate in Style

• Annual company funded Christmas parties
• £250 contribution towards a wedding cake
• Colleague of the Year awards
• £250 retail credit when you buy your first home

Pay: £26,000.00-£30,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Employee mentoring programme
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Free flu jabs
• Paid volunteer time
• Private dental insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Referral programme
• Shuttle service provided
• Transport links

Work Location: In person