At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development initiatives and drive innovation in a global biscuits and confectionery business.
- Company: Join a fast-growing company dedicated to quality and happiness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with global reach and opportunities for creativity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on iconic brands while working with passionate teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in product development and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
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.
pladis operates in highly competitive, fast-moving markets where it is essential to maintain and extend market share through profitable branded growth. Successful innovation through product development, continuous value improvement and consumer perceived quality superiority vs. the competition are critical.
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.
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 unlock 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.
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).
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.
- Identification and unlocking of future technologies.
- Portfolio transformation for Health and Happiness.
- Sustainability (i.e. environment-friendly initiatives).
- Transformational Productivity, through product reformulation.
Specifically on Breakthrough product, we need to:
- Define and deliver a medium to long term roadmap and align an agenda to drive innovation, sustainability and productivity - build the internal cross-functional expertise and relationships to deliver that agenda.
- Build strong collaborative relationships with Suppliers to capture the best practices on the market and monitor project implementation.
- Build strong collaborative relationships with regional teams to build opportunities which scale across multiple regions.
The position will report to the Head of Innovation for the Savoury category. It is expected that the incumbent will work very closely with their counterparts across the Central Innovation & Technology team, as well as the Global commercial team to effectively deliver the joint growth and transformation agenda and ensure balanced focus on delivery.
Senior Product Development Manager - 12 Month FTC employer: pladis
At pladis, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and inclusive employer that fosters a culture of collaboration and growth. Located in the vibrant Chiswick area of London, our team enjoys access to iconic brands and a supportive environment where entrepreneurial spirits can thrive. With a commitment to employee development and a shared passion for bringing happiness to consumers, pladis offers unparalleled opportunities to make a meaningful impact while working alongside like-minded colleagues.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Product Development Manager - 12 Month FTC
✨Connect with Product Management Communities
Dive into online communities like Product School or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and ask questions. This can help you build relationships and visibility in the product management scene, plus you might hear about temp roles before they even get posted!
✨Attend Industry Meetups and Workshops
Check out local meetups or workshops specifically targeted at product management. These gatherings are prime spots to meet hiring managers and fellow practitioners. Plus, they often lead to connections that can help you land temporary roles.
✨Showcase Your Work with a Portfolio
Even if you're after a temporary gig, having a solid portfolio is key! Include case studies of past projects, highlighting your role and how you drove product success. Use platforms like Behance to display your work visually.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you spot a temp role like Senior Product Development Manager - 12 Month FTC at pladis, go straight to their website to apply. Direct applications often have a better chance of standing out since they show commitment. It's worth the extra effort, trust us!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product Development Manager - 12 Month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Sense:In product management, we want to see your understanding of user needs and business value. When you're crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight specific products you've worked on, the methodologies you used, and how those experiences shaped your product sense. If you have insights into user journey mapping, competitive analysis, or product lifecycle, make sure to feature them!
Highlight Relevant Experience:For a temporary role, employers often look for candidates who can hit the ground running. Make sure your written application showcases not just your past roles, but also specific outcomes you've driven. Don't shy away from using metrics—how did your contributions impact the product or team? We love when you quantify your achievements!
Be Ready to Adapt:Temporary positions can often lead to quick changes in direction. In your cover letter, convey your adaptability and eagerness to learn. Mention any experiences where you’ve had to pivot or adjust your approach to meet project goals. Talk about how you thrive in dynamic environments—it'll really resonate with us at pladis!
Link to Your Portfolio:If you've worked on product roadmaps, user stories, or any visualisations, link to your portfolio in your application. Even a personal project that demonstrates your skills as a product manager can show your proactive approach. It's a great way for us to see your work in action and understand your style. And remember, apply through our website to make it easier for us to find you!
How to prepare for a job interview at pladis
✨Show Off Your Product Knowledge
Make sure we can discuss the product lifecycle with confidence! Be ready to showcase your understanding of key concepts in product management, such as roadmap planning and user research. We want to hear about any tools you're familiar with, like JIRA or Trello, as they’re popular in this space!
✨Agile Mindset is Key
As a temporary role, they'll want us to hit the ground running. Brush up on Agile methodologies and be prepared for scenario-based questions where you might need to demonstrate how you'd handle shifting priorities or tight deadlines. Show that you can think on your feet and adapt quickly!
✨Bring Your Portfolio of Projects
If you've got any product projects up your sleeve—be it case studies or live examples—bring them along! For a temporary position, they’re going to want to see tangible results from your previous work, so don't hold back on demonstrating how you've made an impact in past roles.
✨Communicate Clearly and Concisely
They’ll be looking to see how you articulate your ideas, so practice your pitch! Make sure we can summarise complex product requirements into clear, understandable language. Being able to express yourself well is vital in product management, especially in a temporary role where quick collaboration is essential!
