Process Engineer

pladis Foods Limited; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

pladis Foods Limited is seeking an experienced professional to support Godiva Chocolatier's product development strategy. You will translate concepts into scalable processes, lead trials, and collaborate with R&D, Quality and Operations to deliver manufacturable, market-ready products.

Essential criteria include a BS in Food Science/Technology and 3+ years in confectionery development, with strong data-driven validation and cross‑functional communication.

Qualifications

• Essential criteria include BS in Food Science/Technology and strong product development experience.
• MD in Food Science is desirable but not required.
• Minimum 3 years in chocolate or confectionery product development.
• Solid knowledge of food ingredients, formulations and processing.
• Strong problem-solving and independent work ability.
• Proven track record in technical roles within food companies.

Responsibilities

• Translate product designs into manufacturing process flows and scale‑up plans.
• Define process parameters, run trials, and document results with data sheets.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to support commercialization.
• Provide technical support during pilot plant and factory trials.
• Work with ingredient changes and validation through risk assessments.

Skills

Food science knowledge

Product development

Project management

Problem solving

Strong communication

Education

BS in Food Science/Technology

MD in Food Science (ideal)

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.

Purpose: Godiva Chocolatier, as part of Pladis, operates in highly competitive, fast moving markets where it is essential to maintain and extend market share through profitable branded growth. Successful innovation through product development, continuous value improvement and consumer perceived quality superiority vs. the competition are critical.

This is an important role responsible for supporting in the development new recipes, formats and products to fit with concepts that will drive brand strategies. They will work with cross functional teams to bring to reality technical briefs. They will support the Head of Product development in the delivery of an ambitious and transformational product strategy that is aligned to the growth ambition and sustainability aspirations of the company. The role requires an individual who is competent and skilled at working across cultures and functions and collaborating to deliver with others. They need to be able to work effectively with regional and external partners to identify appropriate opportunities and drive development of innovative solutions, best practice approaches and systems.

Key areas of focus for the role will be on:

• Process development and scale‑up: Translate product designs into manufacturing process flows, trial plans, equipment requirements, operating windows and scale‑up strategies.
• Process validation and capability: Define critical process parameters and quality attributes; execute statistically sound trials to confirm repeatability, capability and control.
• Product Commercialization: Compose test run Protocol, outlining test parameters and objectives, prior to performing test. Prepare any necessary data sheets for gathering test data to validate new products. Collect samples from test runs and perform statistical analysis of SPC weights/measurements and Analytical studies. Compile information using programming software.
• Production support: Support Reading production for technical troubleshooting for chocolate, caramel, tempering, moulding, enrobing and other available technologies.
• Technical troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve issues across chocolate handling, tempering, moulding, enrobing, caramel and filling preparation, cooling, demoulding and related technologies.
• Quality support: support definition of Visual Standards for new products, create and maintain products standard Complete New Product “workbook” in preparation for Commercialization scale up process and the making of Sales samples. This includes preparing Preliminary documentation for Pricing Studies and Bill of Material set up.
• Product Testing: Support set up and validate Shelf life for the new products industrialized.
• Process Optimization: Work closely with engineering and production teams to ensure continues improvement and waste reduction.

The ideal candidate will have solid core chocolate process and product technical skills, and be able to understand the needs of the business, our consumers and customers to support the Head of Product Development in creating and driving an exciting product agenda. Within the Global Functions team, we support the NAM region, to leverage size, expertise and best practices.

Key Accountabilities and Deliverables: Own the process engineering workstream for assigned innovation, renovation, value optimisation and productivity projects from technical brief through factory implementation and post‑launch stabilisation.

Convert product concepts and recipes into defined process flows, unit operations, equipment requirements, mass balances, operating parameters and scale‑up plans. Design and execute factory trials using clear hypotheses, protocols, acceptance criteria, sampling plans and data sheets. Lead technical trial readiness reviews covering materials, equipment, line availability, safety, food safety, specifications, test methods, resources and contingency plans. Provide hands‑on process support during commissioning, first production, ramp‑up and troubleshooting for chocolate preparation, tempering, moulding, enrobing, filling and caramel systems, cooling, demoulding and associated packaging interfaces. Apply structured root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving tools to resolve process losses, quality defects and reliability issues; translate findings into sustainable corrective and preventive actions. Commercialize product platforms surrounding innovation opportunities in Reading Apply robust scientific methodologies to develop research hypothesis and execute bench and pilot plant experiments/trials. Apply structured root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving tools to resolve process losses, quality defects and reliability issues; translate findings into sustainable corrective and preventive actions. Analyse and interpret analytical data with full ability to implement results and provide next steps recommendations. Collaborate with Godiva chefs to assess the impact of ingredient, supplier, recipe, equipment or parameter changes through risk assessment and controlled validation before implementation. Develop and maintain process specifications, centreline settings, process control plans, standard operating parameters, trial reports, product standards and technical handover packages. Complete technical governance deliverables at each project gate, including product and ingredient specifications, HARA inputs, process risk assessments, quality attributes, bills of material and commercialisation workbooks. Planning and participating in pilot plant and factory trials (pladis and Suppliers), and presentation of samples to stakeholders. Support shelf‑life validation by ensuring that manufacturing conditions and process variation are represented in study design and sample selection. Build effective partnerships with R&D, Culinary, Quality, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Marketing, suppliers and co‑manufacturers to deliver manufacturable solutions. Ensure all work is completed in accordance with site safety, food safety, hygiene, GMP and change‑management requirements. Draw up product specs to final status ensuring effective handover of the development to the regional Categories Product Development Teams. Contribution to Godiva and Pladis Innovation strategy through support of conceptualisation and proactive NPD. 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.

Skills and Experience Required: Essential Criteria

• BS degree level qualification in Food Science/Technology, or related field.
• MD in Food science as ideal.
• 3y+ of experience in chocolate or confectionery product development.
• Sound technical knowledge of food ingredients, functionalities, formulation and processing.
• Problem‑solving ability using innovative thought and good scientific judgement.
• Proven track record of technical positions in food companies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to work well with others, and ability to plan and execute work independently with minimal supervision.
• A passion for science and food.
• Validated experience in product development.
• Project management experience, including a good understanding of the roles and responsibilities of project team members.
• Demonstrable success in supporting the launch of products.
• Technical approaches to problem solving.
• Driven with outstanding decision‑making skills.
• Good understanding of health and safety requirements.

Desirable Criteria

• Understanding of Lean principles/Lean Sigma Process knowledge outside of ambient chocolate (cakes/biscuits/snacks).
• Knowledge of global pladis brands, business, key competitors and key markets.

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.

pladis is one of the world’s fastest growing snacking companies and home to much loved brands including McVitie’s, GODIVA and Ülker. pladis also owns regional brands Jacob’s, Go Ahead, Flipz, Turtles, BN, Verkade and many more products across sweet and savoury biscuits, wafer, cake and chocolate. Formed in 2016, pladis is the proud steward of over 300 years of family baking and confectionery experience. The expertise of our 16,000-strong global workforce spans 27 bakeries across 11 countries and is united by our purpose: to ‘bring happiness with every bite’. As a responsible business delivering the highest quality products and exceptional service, pladis’ products have the potential to reach more than four billion people across the world. For more information, please visit : www.pladisglobal.com For our Privacy policy please click here