Consumer Technical Insights Manager

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility, we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

Click “Apply” to get started.

This role offers an agile 3,2 working pattern with 3 days in the office and 2 days from home

What will this role achieve?

Reporting into the Head of Consumer Technical Insights, in partnership with Innovation, Brand, CMI and R&D teams, the role holder will provide leadership within the Consumer Technical Insights, and will guide the business strategically with sensory and consumer science insights to meet the business agenda!

The role demands good technical, interpersonal and leadership capabilities to

• Drive sensory and consumer science value into the pladis business and develop and run its capabilities to support the UK/ I business
• Drive sensory & consumer science leadership within the function and across the business
• Secure alignment to consumer success criteria and research principles/design
• Deliver sensory & consumer science strategic learning plans in support of innovation, renovation and stewardship projects, which represent significant financial opportunities for pladis.

What will be your key deliverables?

• Lead the CTI team by developing and leading research programmes according to recognised international standards
• Act as senior technical advisor in Sensory & Consumer Science and collaborate with relevant R&D and Marketing teams to pro-actively supply to strategic plans and ensure that the research needs to support those plans are met
• Collaborate with Consumer Marketing Insights to ensure that all learning plans are joined up
• Continuously develop tools and techniques of Sensory & Consumer Science for relevant business areas
• Analyse and interpret results and communicate optimally to all partners
• Provide consumer and driven insights and understanding/models at category level
• Continuously develop tools and techniques to drive a consumer led innovation process

Bring your experience.

Essential

• Strong knowledge in Sensory and Consumer Science methodologies: quantitative and qualitative tools and techniques
• Proven experience of team management and leadership experience
• Ability to motivate teams and individuals
• Highly developed analytical critical thinking capabilities at a senior level and statistical competence
• proven experience of verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• The capacity to plan and implement programmes which will contribute to the business
• Strong ability in interpretation/translation of insights into a technical product/brand development path
• Multi-discipline/multi-function team working skills and experience
• Able to work in an agile, fast paced working environment

Desirable

• Experience in food FMCG and/or research industry, sweet and savoury snacks
• Experience in Design Thinking techniques
• Proficiency in sensory and statistical software (i.e., RedJade, xlstat, Compusense or similar)

What will the interview process be?

• 1st stage interview – 45 minutes competency-based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
• 2nd stage interview – 60 minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.

pladis does also use both Psychometric and Aptitude tests to support our processes so you may be asked to complete these as part of your process.
Some processes may differ, but we will keep you updated!

What does pladis offer you?

• Annual Car allowance, paid monthly
• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) – this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan
• Private medical Insurance
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme 
• 25 days + bank holidays 
• Holiday Enhancement Scheme
• 1 Volunteering Day per year
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Discount and Cashback Scheme – make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial Wellbeing Support
• Access to great training and development opportunities

Our Values

Purpose led – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite

Agile – We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.

Positive – We’re highly motivated optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better

Resilient - We’re persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward

Collaborative – We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together.

Best mix of ingredients

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.