Senior Product Development Manager FTC

Role Title: Senior Product Development Manager

This is a fixed-term contract.

Site introduction

Our Hectar Laing Development Centre site is the beating heart of innovation at pladis, a dynamic hub where creativity, science, and consumer insight come together to shape the future of snacking. Home to our Innovation, R&D, Regulatory, and Technical Insights teams, this site supports both pladis Global and UKI, driving progress across our sweet and savoury portfolios. With a state-of-the-art pilot plant and a culture of collaboration, High Wycombe is our centre of excellence for research and development. From the first spark of an idea to the final product on shelf, our teams work side by side to deliver exciting, high-quality snacks that delight consumers everywhere. It’s a place where every voice matters, and every innovation is powered by the passion and expertise of our people.

What will this role achieve?

This is a critical role responsible for building opportunities to explore, develop and implement protocepts to prototypes to fit concepts that will drive brand strategies across multiple geographies. They will work closely with marketing teams to activate and bring to reality technical briefs.

They will support the Breakthrough Product Director in the delivery against an ambitious and transformational breakthrough product strategy that is aligned to the growth ambition and sustainability aspirations of the company.

The role requires an individual who is competent and skilled at working across cultures and functions and collaborating to deliver with others. They need to be able to work effectively with both internal and external partners to identify appropriate opportunities and drive development of innovative solutions, best practice approaches and systems.

What will be your key deliverables?

Key areas of focus for this secondment role will be:

• Managing the development and the Global Savoury Expansion initiative – with an aim of growing the pladis portfolio in new and existing markets: working closely with both global commercial and regional R&D teams while employing strong technical project management
• Leading initiatives to unlocking future technologies by applying both strong product and process knowledge to build scale platforms for innovation. This will include prototyping, planning and executing trials in both pilot plants and production facilities, identifying process requirements
• Defining and delivering technical concepts into product development
• Developing solutions to technical hurdles
• Providing a technical response to commercial briefs
• Owning and delivering bench samples and pilot / factory trials
• Managing trial budgets and project plans

Bring your experience.

• Excellent core technical skills
• Strong understanding and experience in product development and managing such projects/programs, a good understanding of process/chemical engineering principles
• To be able to understand the needs of the business, our consumers and customers to drive an exciting product agenda
• You will be a self-starter, possess a drive for results.

What will the interview process be?

• Initial Telephone call with Talent Acquisition
• 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.

What does pladis offer you?

• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) – this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan
• Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• 25 days + bank holidays
• 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

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.

Accessibility at High Wycombe

Our High Wycombe site has accessible entrances and lifts between floors to support individuals with mobility needs, but currently does not have step-free access. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, and where possible to perform key job functions.

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