Senior Project Manager

pladis Foods Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Plan

Car allowance

Private medical insurance

Enhanced parental leave

Pension scheme

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Volunteering day

Cycle to work scheme

Gym membership discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Pladis is seeking an entrepreneurial Senior Project Manager to deliver and govern commercialisation projects from concept to market for its global biscuit and confectionery portfolio, including external Retailer Own Label work.

You will own processes and timelines, track progress and risks, and drive cross-functional collaboration to meet retailer requirements while maintaining stage-gate discipline across markets, brands and packaging changes.

Qualifications

• Essential experience in a Project Management role in an FMCG environment, preferably in a commercialisation function.
• Commercial acumen and P&L understanding.
• Strong communication skills and cross-functional collaboration experience.
• Project Management qualification (preferred but not essential).
• Not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Plan, govern and deliver projects approved through the pladis stage and gate process and the commercialisation forum.
• Own the process and timelines, track and report progress, issues, risks and compliance to plan.
• Understand Retailer processes, systems and how they interlink with pladis stage and gate and ensure deliverables are met for Retailer/customers.
• Proactively identify projects at risk, remove obstacles, raise escalation with clear options, recommendations and impact assessments.
• Maintain strict control of project scope, standards and guardrails, ensuring all changes follow the Commercialisation approval process and are aligned with retailers where relevant.
• Resolve conflicts, interface problems and resource constraints through prioritisation, stakeholder alignment and adaptive action.
• Lead cross‑functional communication, provide guidance on key project management systems and processes, and drive continuous improvements in performance and ways of working.
• Oversee end‑to‑end artwork delivery through Project Executives, ensuring smooth SKU/code transitions, minimising packaging write‑off and managing interdependent initiatives across markets, brands and product/material changes.

Skills

Project management

FMCG experience

P&L understanding

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Project Management qualification

Job description

Senior Project Manager – Commercialisation

Pladis is a leading global biscuits and confectionery business, home to iconic brands such as McVitie’s, GODIVA and Ülker. We invest in infrastructure and people to deliver high‑quality products worldwide.

We are looking for an entrepreneurial spirit to manage the delivery, process management, governance and reporting of projects to bring new products and changes to existing products to market. The role supports pladis growth targets and may involve external Retailer Own Label (ROL) projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, govern and deliver projects approved through the pladis stage and gate process and the commercialisation forum.


• Own the process and timelines, track and report progress, issues, risks and compliance to plan.


• Understand Retailer processes, systems and how they interlink with pladis stage and gate and ensure deliverables are met for Retailer/customers.


• Proactively identify projects at risk, remove obstacles, raise escalation with clear options, recommendations and impact assessments.


• Maintain strict control of project scope, standards and guardrails, ensuring all changes follow the Commercialisation approval process and are aligned with retailers where relevant.


• Resolve conflicts, interface problems and resource constraints through prioritisation, stakeholder alignment and adaptive action.


• Lead cross‑functional communication, provide guidance on key project management systems and processes, and drive continuous improvements in performance and ways of working.


• Oversee end‑to‑end artwork delivery through Project Executives, ensuring smooth SKU/code transitions, minimising packaging write‑off and managing interdependent initiatives across markets, brands and product/material changes.

Required Qualifications

• Essential experience in a Project Management role in an FMCG environment, preferably in a commercialisation function.


• Commercial acumen and P&L understanding.


• Strong communication skills and cross‑functional collaboration experience.


• Project Management qualification (preferred but not essential).


• Not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Interview Process

1. Initial Telephone call with Talent Acquisition. 2. 45‑minute competency‑based interview. 3. 90‑minute technical interview to assess skill set, case study or presentation. 4. Psychometric and aptitude tests may be required.

Benefits

• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).


• Car allowance and monthly expense reimbursement.


• Health Cash Plan and private medical insurance (by grade).


• Enhanced parental leave and phased return‑to‑work programme.


• Stakeholder Pension Scheme and life assurance cover.


• 25 days plus bank holidays holiday enhancement scheme.


• 1 volunteering day per year.


• Cycle to work scheme, discounted gym membership (Carlisle and Chiswick), discount and cashback scheme.


• Employee Assistance Programme and financial wellbeing support.


• Access to training and development opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Pladis is an equal opportunity employer. All openings are filled on the basis of 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.

Accessibility: The Chiswick site has step‑free access, accessible entrances and lifts between floors to support individuals with mobility needs. Reasonable accommodation will be provided as required.