At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovation in cocoa and chocolate, translating science into delicious products.
- Company: Join pladis, a leader in confectionery innovation with a collaborative spirit.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health plans, generous leave, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with excellent career growth and volunteering opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable chocolate solutions and drive industry trends.
- Qualifications: Strong technical skills in cocoa and chocolate technologies; self-starter mentality.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
Our High Wycombe site is a hub of innovation for pladis, supporting both global and UK&I studies across sweet and savoury portfolios.
This critical role builds knowledge on cocoa and translates it into innovative and sustainable chocolate confectionery and baked products. It works closely with procurement, sensory, marketing, regulatory and other functions to translate science into products.
Key responsibilities- Know‑how on Cocoa Materials and Chocolate Technologies
- Translate cocoa knowledge to confectionery and baked applications
- Develop solutions to technical hurdles
- Provide a technical response to product challenges
- Own and deliver test trials from bench to pilot scale and support upscaling to factory scale
- Manage project plans
- Define and deliver a medium‑to‑long term roadmap for the Breakthrough Cocoa programme and align an agenda to drive innovation, sustainability and productivity
- Support the Global Procurement team in building strong mid‑term sourcing strategies
- Build collaborative relationships with suppliers and monitor project implementation
- Lead creation and optimisation of cocoa blends and chocolate products to drive the innovation pipeline
- Build, curate and share knowledge of emerging cocoa processing methods, materials science and industry trends
- Drive development of proprietary and sustainable cocoa solutions, including cross‑category product designs
- Lead prototyping cycles, pilot plant and factory trials, ensuring robust technical validation and launch readiness
- Provide technical support to operations, balancing quality, cost, performance and sustainability
- Identify, develop and progress patentable opportunities in cocoa materials and chocolate technologies
- Work collaboratively with sensory, consumer insights, procurement, supply chain and quality teams
Excellent core technical skills and ability to understand the needs of the business, consumers and customers to drive a cocoa and chocolate technology agenda. A self‑starter with a drive for results.
Benefits- Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)
- Health Cash Plan self‑enrolment
- Private medical insurance (where eligible)
- Enhanced parental leave and phased return‑to‑work program
- 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
- Access to employee assistance, financial wellbeing support and training opportunities
Accessible entrances and lifts between floors are available to support individuals with mobility needs; the site does not have step‑free access. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to participate in the job application or interview process and perform key job functions where possible.
Equal opportunitypladis is an equal opportunities employer. 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.
Senior Cocoa & Chocolate Scientist employer: pladis Global
At pladis, our High Wycombe site stands as a beacon of innovation in the cocoa and chocolate industry, offering a collaborative work culture that fosters creativity and sustainability. Employees benefit from a comprehensive range of perks, including private medical insurance, generous parental leave, and opportunities for professional growth through training and development. Join us to be part of a team that not only values your contributions but also supports your well-being and career aspirations in a vibrant and inclusive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Cocoa & Chocolate Scientist
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the cocoa and chocolate industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your technical skills and any innovative projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can translate your cocoa knowledge into real-world solutions, so bring your A-game!
✨Ask Smart Questions
During interviews or networking chats, ask insightful questions about their cocoa sourcing strategies or sustainability initiatives. This shows you’re genuinely interested and have done your homework. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your expertise!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Cocoa & Chocolate Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cocoa:When writing your application, let your love for cocoa and chocolate shine through! We want to see how your enthusiasm aligns with our mission to innovate in the chocolate world.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in cocoa and chocolate technologies. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to tackle technical challenges and drive innovation.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see how you fit into the role and our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at pladis Global
✨Know Your Cocoa Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of cocoa materials and chocolate technologies. Be ready to discuss how you can translate this knowledge into innovative products. Think about specific examples from your past experience where you've tackled technical challenges or developed new solutions.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role involves working closely with various teams like procurement, sensory, and marketing. Prepare to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any projects where you built strong relationships and drove innovation through teamwork.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you've approached technical hurdles in previous roles. Think of specific instances where you provided a technical response to product challenges. This will show that you can think critically and deliver results under pressure.
✨Have a Vision for the Future
The role requires defining a medium-to-long term roadmap for the Breakthrough Cocoa programme. Come to the interview with ideas on how you would drive innovation and sustainability in cocoa solutions. This shows you're not just thinking about the present but also about the future of the industry.
