Global Head of Product Development Innovation - Better for Me and Next Generation Kids

Global Head of Product Development Innovation – Better for Me and Next Generation Kids

Apply locations: High Wycombe
Time type: Full time
Posted on: Posted 3 Days Ago
Time left to apply: End Date: January 31, 2025 (30+ days left to apply)
Job requisition id: JR26176

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 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 unrivaled opportunities to learn and make an impact.

This is a senior role responsible for leading the team to develop and deliver 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 adept at multi-cultural cross-functional collaboration and who can work effectively with external partners to identify appropriate opportunities and drive development of innovative solutions, best practice approaches & systems, and a high-performing matrix team.

The ideal candidate will have excellent core technical skills and 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 with experience in a range of companies at various stages of growth. You will have a proven ability to upskill others, both technical and non-technical audiences.

The Head of Product Development Innovation for Better for Me & Next Generation Kids will be responsible for developing and delivering growth for pladis. They will manage high-value global innovation projects in their category, delivering projects and products in line with our growth strategy and critical consumer demand spaces. They will influence the global growth strategic plan, working as cross-functional and cross-regional partners to develop product development strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Breakthrough Innovation

• Utilise consumer, customer, and competitor knowledge to develop a robust innovation growth funnel for your portfolio, alongside marketing partners.
• Drive the successful delivery of global breakthrough projects in their category(s).
• Define and deliver the technology roadmap to ensure early identification of technology-based opportunities that align with longer-term business and consumer needs in their category(s).
• Ensure delivery of at least 1 breakthrough project per year in their category(s).
• Lead a team of scientists and engineers ensuring effective resource management and development in line with business needs.

Partnership Excellence

• Work with Growth and FEI team to co-develop effective development briefs that clearly articulate the needs of both the business and the consumer.
• Collaborate with Global Procurement to ensure effective supplier innovation management across all ingredient and process OEMs.
• Build strong partnerships with suppliers and constantly assess new ingredients and technology to deliver innovation to your category.

Execution Excellence

• Ensure technical rigor in project delivery consulting with appropriate SMEs in peer review processes.
• Ensure project portfolio is delivered with effective risk management and mitigation processes.
• Manage the delivery of a portfolio of technically complex projects with new to pladis/breakthrough technologies.

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.

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