Senior Product Development Manager

pladis Global; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Product Development Manager to join their dynamic team in High Wycombe. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead innovative projects in the savoury snacks sector, focusing on brand strategies and technical briefs. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with R&D, brand managers, and suppliers to create exciting new flavours while mentoring a talented team. If you are passionate about product development and eager to make a significant impact in a thriving environment, this position is perfect for you!

Qualifications

• Experience in product development within savoury and/or seasonings categories.
• Knowledge of global brands and key competitors in the food industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead new projects and initiatives for savoury crisps and snacks.
• Interact with R&D and brand managers to align product strategies.

Skills

Product Development

Project Management

Team Leadership

Creative Problem Solving

Knowledge of Regional Taste Differences

Education

Degree in Food Science or related field

Tools

Lean Principles

Sensory Analysis

Job description

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We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Product Development Manager role based at High Wycombe on a permanent basis. The successful candidate will join our Savoury team which will include projects on our Jacob's and Carr's brands. The role is both proactive, taking opportunities to develop concepts to fit with brand strategies and reactive to technical briefs from the marketing teams.

Strategy and Business Knowledge

• Interact with R&D to guide and commercialise key technologies essential for new innovation both internally and externally
• Interact with brand managers to populate savoury pipeline in line with strategy
• Interact with flavour houses, seasoning and ingredient suppliers to create both base and topical flavour systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of regional taste differences and is able to apply to work appropriately as well as advise others.
• Working closely with sensory to get to the right product.
• Utilise supplier technology to deliver unique solutions to the marketplace

Creation/Project Management

• Demonstrate a leadership role in new projects and initiatives on savoury crisps and snacks.
• Proactive in using new materials and advancing technology
• Continue to prove commercial success through new and aligned relevant innovation and new wins
• Direct technology development and implementation
• Create and execute training programs for technical and commercial staff on seasoning and flavour.
• Key input and/or leadership role into savoury community of practice.
• Anticipate, investigate and resolve problems related to raw materials, flavour systems, finished prototypes and initial scale up procedures
• Proactive in new raw material evaluation
• Continue to expand own knowledge
• Proactively work with new flavour systems and specific areas of improvement

Leadership & Team management:

• Manage, empower and mentor team, so that their personal and technical development needs are identified and acted upon - the outputs should be evaluated through the appraisal system. Be a role model for the team promoting high standards of work, and behaviours.
• Ensure that personal development plans are built, kept current and actioned as appropriate
• Use their breadth of experience to act as a technical mentor across the team to ensure mitigation of risk to execution of projects.
• Work with colleagues to ensure that product development facilities are maintained to a safe and hygienic standard and operate using lean principles. Drive for continuous improvement.

Bring your experience.

• Knowledge and understanding of regional taste differences and is able to apply to work appropriately as well as advise others. ) in a technical or commercial role.
• Experience in Product Development within savoury and/or seasonings categories
• Experience in leading cross-functional project teams to achieve an agreed objective.
• Project management experience, including a good understanding of the roles and responsibilities of project team members
• Demonstrable success in launching products.
• Creative approaches to problem solving
• Experience in line management and mentoring, training and development of subordinates.
• Understanding of Lean principles/Lean Sigma
• Process knowledge outside of ambient Cakes/biscuits/Snacks
• Knowledge of global pladis brands, business, key competitors and key markets

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.
• Final interview based on Leadership Success Model Assessment/role competencies.

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!

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.

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.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Manufacturing, Science, and Supply Chain

• Industries

  Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Consumer Services, and Food and Beverage Services

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