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.
We have an exciting opportunity in our R&D function for a Product Development Manager to work across Retailer own label brands on Health & Wellbeing projects! The Product Development Manager role is both proactive, taking opportunities to develop concepts to fit with brand strategies and reactive to technical briefs from the marketing teams.
This role will be based in High Wycombe and is a fixed term contract until 31st December 2025.
What will this role achieve?
You will manage and be accountable for all technical aspects of product design and deliver developments to market, meeting the quality, cost and timings encouraged. As a Product Development Manager, you are responsible for technical project management, recipe development and factory implementation planning. You will work closely with Marketing to interpret product briefs, apply your technical understanding and then work closely with Manufacturing to see the product through to launch.
What will be your key results?
-
Closely collaborate with partners to build and deliver appropriate solutions to defined technical hurdles.
-
Propose and manage resource requirements, within design team and request resource from other technical teams.
-
Identify and communicate any technical hurdles, compile technical risk assessment and contingencies.
-
Ensure timely completion of project documentation and monitor accordingly.
-
Lead the development of bench samples, planning and running pilot plant and factory trials and presentation of samples to marketing.
-
Ensure that all work is carried out in a safe and hygienic manner, following factory or bakery GMP’s.
-
Responsible for ensuring all product developments conform to pladis’ policies.
-
Contribution to regional pladis Innovation strategy through support of Conceptualisation and proactive NPD.
-
Act as a role model for the team promoting high standards of work, and behaviours, and dealing with any issues reporting to line manager as appropriate.
-
Work with colleagues to ensure that product development facilities are maintained to a safe and hygienic standard and operate using lean principles; drive for continuous improvement.
-
Keep comprehensive records of all work carried out and report results as appropriate, following the standards and procedures of the design team.
What do you need for this role?
Crucial
-
Degree in Food Science /Technology or similar is critical
-
Proven experience in one category (snacks, cake, sweet, savoury biscuits, confectionery) in a technical or commercial role is crucial
-
Some experience in product development demonstrated through successfully managing a portfolio of projects and playing an active part in cross functional project teams
-
Teammate with efficient time leadership skills
-
Knowledge of Basic Food Legislation - Food Safety (Basic HACCP)
-
Effective communication, presentation and influencing abilities
-
Basic product budgeting experience
Preferred
-
Demonstrable success in launching products.
-
Solid understanding of SAP
-
Knowledge of global pladis brands, business, key competitors and key markets
-
Process knowledge outside of ambient Cakes/biscuits/Snacks
Our winning traits and behaviours
-
Purpose-Led - Energised by our promise to deliver happiness to the world with every bite
-
Agile - Ever evolving, never satisfied and never standing still
-
Collaborative - Willing to work with others for mutual success, transparent, a win-win seeker
-
Resilient - Quick to adapt to change, fast learner and persistent in the face of setbacks
-
Positive - Self-motivated, optimistic, adventurous, and inspiring
Diversity and inclusion is central to everything we do and is reflected across our business. pladis brings together brands and people from around the globe – and this diversity is our great strength.
We’re an equal opportunities employer and believe in fostering an inclusive environment where we celebrate diversity of thinking and respect everyone’s distinctive qualities and perspectives.
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.
Top Skills
pladis Global London, England Office
London, United Kingdom, W4 5YA
Similar Jobs
