Junior Product Development Scientist in High Wycombe

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, 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.

Our story: Family and ideas have always been our ingredients. Our founding families believed biscuits and chocolates could bring moments of happiness to the world. Their ideas have stood the test of time. Their spirit continues to inspire our future. It’s in the care and the craft we bake into biscuits and chocolates that have been loved for generations. And it’s in the fresh ideas, the new twists, flavours and textures we add to old and new favourites.

Our 16,000 colleagues across our global network of bakers, distribution sites and offices each with their own unique, diverse experience. To bring happiness with every bite.

If you’re a part of the pladis team, you know what it means to bring it. Whether it’s resilience, team spirit or go-getting attitude. Our courage and compassion. Our ownership. Our whole selves. We Bring it. Day in, day out.

Inspired by you: Our founders didn’t follow rules and recipes, they created them. We’re looking for fresh thinkers to help us create the next chapter for pladis. pladis succeeds because of people like you. People who wake up in the morning excited to get to work. Who believe in themselves and their potential. Who want to grow as part of a global community of like-minded colleagues! Because growth is our oxygen and our fuel. And it’s our deep and abiding belief that growth comes from working together, helping each other out, always passionate about our purpose to bring happiness with every bite.

Our Purpose: Bring happiness with every bite! It’s a purpose that every one of our colleagues, all around the world believes in. And while we’re all unique, we also share the same values. Each of our values is important on its own. In combination they’re incredibly powerful. Our values have deep personal meaning to us. They’re part of who we are and what we stand for as an employer. Living our pladis values is a key part of success, look out for questions in your interview that link to these key pladis values.

Site Introduction: In 2021, pladis proudly opened the doors to our vibrant global hub, the MIU Campus. Located in the heart of Chiswick Park, West London. Just a short 5-minute walk from Gunnersbury Station, our campus is nestled within 33 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, offering a welcoming and inspiring environment for all. Chiswick Park is home to both our UK and Global Corporate teams, bringing together diverse teams across the business.

What will this role achieve? This is an important role responsible for supporting in the development of protocepts to prototypes to fit with concepts that will drive brand strategies. They will work with cross functional teams to bring to reality technical briefs. They will support the Head of Innovation in the delivery of 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 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 the role will be on:

• Support delivery of developing technical concepts into product development.
• Supporting in the development of solutions to technical hurdles.
• Supporting in the provision of a technical response to the commercial brief.
• Delivering bench samples and supporting/leading in the running of pilot and factory trials.
• Supporting in ensuring costs are managed in line with trial budgets and project plans.

Bring your experience. Essential: The ideal candidate will have solid core technical skills, and be able to understand the needs of the business, our consumers and customers to support the Senior Product Development Manager in creating and driving an exciting product agenda.

pladis organization model is based on 8 regions with full accountability of their own P&L: Global, UK & Ireland, Europe & Emerging Markets (EEM), Turkey, Central Asia (TRCA), Middle East, North Africa (MENA), North America (Nam), Asia Pacific (APAC), Godiva (Global). Within the Global Functions team, we support all regions, to leverage size, expertise and best practices. Among those functions stand Global R&D and Procurement. Global R&D works hand in hand on many initiatives with partners in the other functions (both globally and within regions) to create strong competitive advantages for pladis including:

• Product Innovation
• Portfolio transformation for Health and Happiness
• Sustainability (i.e. environment-friendly initiatives)
• Transformational Productivity, through product reformulation

Specifically on Breakthrough product, the role needs to:

• Support in the delivery of the medium to long term roadmap to drive innovation sustainability and productivity.
• Support the development of protocepts to prototypes to fit with concepts that will drive brand strategies.
• Build internal cross-functional expertise and relationships to support delivery of the agenda.
• Work where needed with regional development teams.
• Build collaborative relationships with Suppliers, capturing and sharing best practices on the market.
• Support in building knowledge and expertise.

The position will report to the Senior Product Development Manager for the Savoury category. It is expected that the incumbent will work very closely with their counterparts across the Central Innovation & technology team to effectively develop protocepts and prototypes which fit with concepts aligned to growth areas and brand strategies.

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 – 90 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 Incentive Plan (AIP) – this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan.
• Private medical Insurance (if eligible by grade).
• Enhanced parental leave and a supportive phased return-to-work program to help colleagues balance family and career.
• 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.
• Discounted gym membership – Carlisle and Chiswick only.
• 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.

Accessibility at Chiswick: Our Chiswick site has step-free access, accessible entrances and lifts between floors to support individuals with mobility needs. 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.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, colour, 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 candidates 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.