Product Development Manager

pladis; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A global biscuits and confectionery company in High Wycombe is seeking a Product Development Manager to drive innovation for iconic brands. This role requires strong technical project management skills, experience in product development, and collaboration across teams. The ideal candidate holds a degree in Food Science and possesses effective communication abilities. This position offers a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)

Health Cash Plan

Private medical Insurance

Stakeholder Pension Scheme

Life Assurance Cover

25 days + bank holidays

Holiday Enhancement Scheme

1 Volunteering Day per year

Cycle to work scheme

Access to training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in snacks, cake, or confectionery in a technical or commercial role is crucial.
• Active role in cross-functional project teams.
• Knowledge of Basic Food Legislation - Food Safety (Basic HACCP).
• Basic product budgeting experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end innovation for iconic brands from concept to launch.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to overcome technical challenges.
• Manage resources across design and technical teams.

Skills

Team collaboration

Time leadership

Effective communication

Presentation skills

Influencing abilities

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology

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 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 to succeed here 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 unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

Click “Apply” to get started.

We have an exciting opportunity in our R&D function for a Product Development Manager to work across Elevated Indulgence, which includes McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives, Hobnobs, Club and more! The Product Development Manager role is both proactive, taking opportunities to develop concepts to fit with brand strategies and reactive to technical briefs from the marketing teams.

You will manage and be accountable for all technical aspects of product design and deliver developments to market, meeting the quality, cost and timings encouraged. As a Product Development Manager, you are responsible for technical project management, recipe development and factory implementation planning. You will work closely with Marketing to interpret product briefs, apply your technical understanding and then work closely with Manufacturing to see the product through to launch.

What will be your key deliverables?

• Lead end-to-end innovation for iconic brands including McVitie’s and Hobnobs, from concept to launch

• Collaborate cross-functionally to overcome technical challenges and deliver tailored solutions
• Manage resources across design and technical teams, ensuring timely project execution and documentation
• Plan and execute bench samples, pilot plant trials, and factory trials, presenting results to marketing
• Ensure compliance with safety, hygiene, GMP standards, and pladis product development policies
• Contribute to regional innovation strategy, promote continuous improvement, and uphold high team standards

Bring your experience.

Essential

• Degree in Food Science /Technology

• Proven experience in one category (snacks, cake, sweet, savoury biscuits, confectionery) in a technical or commercial role is crucial

• Some experience in product development demonstrated through successfully managing a portfolio of projects and playing an active part in cross functional project teams

• Teammate with efficient time leadership skills

• Knowledge of Basic Food Legislation - Food Safety (Basic HACCP)

• Effective communication, presentation and influencing abilities

• Basic product budgeting experience

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 – 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)
• 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 great strength.

We’re an equal opportunities employer and believe in fostering 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, color, 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 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.