Pilot Plant and Innovation Manager

pladis; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global biscuits and confectionery business is seeking a skilled leader for their pilot plant team in High Wycombe. This pivotal role will ensure efficient daily operations and lead strategic process innovation projects under the Head of Bakery Innovation. The ideal candidate will have a robust understanding of food manufacturing, exceptional leadership, and communication skills. Pladis offers competitive benefits, a commitment to diversity, and opportunities for professional growth, making this an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about innovation in food production.

Benefits

Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)

Health Cash Plan

Private medical insurance

Stakeholder Pension Scheme

Life Assurance Cover

25 days bank holidays

Holiday Enhancement Scheme

Volunteering day per year

Cycle to work scheme

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Demonstrates strong leadership and effective communication across teams.
• Deep understanding of health & safety practices.
• Experienced in product and process innovation.
• Skilled in factory process optimisation backed by technical knowledge.
• Proficient in numerical analysis and digital tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead pilot plant trials management ensuring proper prioritisation.
• Ensure team is equipped with clear trial plans and responsibilities.
• Maintain compliance with regulatory standards and health regulations.
• Partner to lead process innovation projects driving business growth.
• Step in to operate pilot plant equipment when necessary.

Skills

Leadership skills

Organisational skills

Effective communication

Health & safety practices understanding

Factory process optimisation

Numerical analysis

Proficiency in digital tools

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in relevant science

Job description

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, 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. We expect pace and agility, insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, Pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact.

Click Apply to get started.

This role is pivotal in leading the pilot plant team, ensuring the seamless execution of day‑to‑day operations, clear prioritisation and efficient trial management.

Beyond operational leadership, this role plays a strategic part in shaping future process innovation. It will support projects aimed at driving incremental growth opportunities for Pladis under the leadership of the Head of Bakery Innovation and Pilot Plant. The role holder will stay attuned to advancements in the external landscape, developing a strong understanding of emerging technologies and supplier capabilities. By testing new technologies and evaluating their potential benefits they will ensure alignment with strategic projects led by the Head of Bakery Innovation and Pilot Plant.

What will be your key deliverables

Pilot Plant Trials Management

• Schedule and organise pilot plant trials collaborating with category leads to ensure proper prioritisation.
• Escalate scheduling conflicts when trial slots are unavailable.
• Develop strong partnerships with R&D pilot plant users both regional and global.

Team Coordination & Resource Management

• Ensure the team is equipped with clear trial plans, responsibilities and weekly priorities for smooth operations.

Facility Maintenance & Compliance

• Oversee routine maintenance and cleaning of the pilot plant.
• Maintain a comprehensive equipment log and implement a structured maintenance and replacement schedule.
• Ensure pilot plant can mimic our factory capability and lobby for kit and equipment where gaps exist.
• Ensure strict adherence to health and safety regulations, keeping the workspace clean and hygienic.
• Guarantee compliance with all regulatory standards; ensuring food safety audit scores remain green.

Process Innovation & External Engagement

• Partner with the Head Baking Innovation & Pilot Plant to lead process innovation projects that drive business growth.
• Maintain an external focus on supplier capabilities and emerging technological advancements.
• Test and evaluate new technologies to determine their potential benefits for the business.
• Develop and maintain industry‑leading expertise in practical hands‑on biscuit, cake & savory snack manufacturing know‑how.

Operational Support

• Step in to operate pilot plant equipment when needed due to workload or resource constraints.

Bring your experience.

Essential

• Demonstrates strong leadership, organisational skills and effective communication across teams.
• Deep understanding of health & safety practices including DSOP creation and training delivery.
• Experienced in product and process innovation, with successful development from bench to factory scale.
• Skilled in factory process optimisation for quality and efficiency backed by technical knowledge in food manufacturing.
• Proficient in numerical analysis and digital tools with a proactive mindset and ability to work independently or collaboratively.
• An NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in good science, food technology, food process engineering or a relevant applied science is desirable. Alternatively a validated technical knowledge of food or experience of a high‑volume ambient food manufacturing environment.

Desirable

• Experience in baking.
• Engineering background.
• LSS Green Belt.

What will the interview process be

• 1st stage interview – 45 minutes competency‑based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
• 2nd stage interview – 60 minutes technical interview to understand your skill set / case study or presentation interview.

What does Pladis offer you

• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) – the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self‑enrol into Health Cash Plan.
• Private medical insurance.
• 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.
• Access to great training and development opportunities.

Diversity and inclusion is central to everything we do and is reflected across our business. Pladis brings together brands and people from around the globe and this diversity is our outstanding strength.

We’re an equal opportunities employer and believe in encouraging an inclusive environment where we celebrate diversity of thinking and respect everyone’s distinctive qualities and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process to perform key job functions and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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 a candidate 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.