Product Development Manager

pladis Global; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global biscuits and confectionery company is seeking a Product Development Manager based in High Wycombe. The role involves leading innovation for iconic brands and managing all aspects of product design, including technical project management and collaboration with various teams. Candidates should have a degree in Food Science/Technology and proven experience in the snacks or confectionery category. Pladis offers competitive benefits, including a bonus scheme and private medical insurance.

Benefits

Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)

Health Cash Plan

Private medical Insurance

Life Assurance Cover

Cycle to work scheme

Volunteering Day

Access to training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a technical or commercial role within snacks or confectionery.
• Demonstrated capability of managing a portfolio of projects.
• Effective communication and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end innovation for product development from concept to launch.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to overcome technical challenges.
• Ensure compliance with safety and hygiene standards.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Team Leadership

Food Safety Knowledge

Product Development

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology

Job description

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Product Development Manager, High Wycombe

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Client:

pladis Global

Location:

High Wycombe, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

e89563704bbc

Job Views:

6

Posted:

19.08.2025

Expiry Date:

03.10.2025

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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 bepurpose-led,resilientandpositiveto succeed here because we expect pace andagility, we insist oncollaborationand 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.

• 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?

• st stage interview – minutes competency-based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
• nd stage interview – minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.

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)
• Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• days + bank holidays
• Volunteering Day per year
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to great training and development opportunities

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.