Process Engineer

pladis Global; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

pladis Global is seeking a seasoned Product Development specialist to lead chocolate and confectionery innovation at the Reading site. You will translate concepts into scalable processes, design trials, and guide cross-functional teams to deliver manufacturable, high-quality products.

You will collaborate with R&D, Quality, Operations and external partners, overseeing bench and pilot plant work, data analysis, and SOP development to support product commercialization and shelf-life validation.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Food Science/Technology (MD in Food Science ideal)
• 3+ years of experience in chocolate or confectionery product development
• Sound technical knowledge of food ingredients, functionalities, formulation and processing
• Proven track record in technical roles within food companies
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to work with cross-functional teams
• Passion for science and food; validated product development experience
• Project management experience and ability to drive launches
• Technical problem solving and strong decision-making
• Good understanding of health and safety requirements

Responsibilities

• Translate product concepts into defined process flows and scale-up plans
• Design and execute factory trials with clear protocols and acceptance criteria
• Lead technical readiness reviews for materials, equipment and safety
• Provide hands-on support during commissioning, ramp-up and troubleshooting
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Operations and suppliers to deliver manufacturable solutions
• Develop and maintain process specifications, centreline settings and SOPs
• Support shelf-life validation and continuous improvement initiatives
• Contribute to innovation strategy and hand over to regional product teams

Skills

Chocolate product development

Food science knowledge

Problem solving

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

BS in Food Science/Technology

MD in Food Science (ideal)

Tools

Lean principles

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:

GodivaChocolatier, as part of Pladis,operatesin highly competitive,fast movingmarkets where it is essential tomaintainand 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 isan importantroleresponsible forsupporting in the developmentnew recipes,formatsandproductsto fit with concepts that will drive brand strategies.They will work withcross functionalteams to bring to reality technical briefs.

They will support theHead ofProduct developmentin thedeliveryofan ambitious and transformationalproductstrategythat isaligned to the growth ambition and sustainability aspirations of the company.

The role requires an individualwho is competent and skilledatworking across cultures and functions and collaborating to deliver with others.They need to be able to work effectively withregional and externalpartners to identifyappropriate opportunitiesand drive development of innovative solutions, best practiceapproachesandsystems.

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, operatingwindowsand scale-up strategies.

• Process validation and capability: Define critical process parameters and quality attributes; execute statistically sound trials to confirm repeatability,capabilityand control.

• ProductCommercialization:Compose test run Protocol, outlining test parameters andobjectives, prior to performingtest.Prepare any necessary data sheets for gathering test datatovalidatenew products.

• Collect samples from test runs and perform statistical analysis of SPC weights/measurements and Analytical studies.Compile information using programming software.

• Production support: SupportReading production for technical troubleshootingfor chocolate, caramel, tempering, moulding,enrobingand other available technologies.

• Technical troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve issues across chocolate handling, tempering, moulding, enrobing, caramel and filling preparation, cooling,demouldingand related technologies.

• Quality support:support definition ofVisual Standards for new products,create andmaintainproductsstandard

• 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 Materialsetup.

• ProductTesting:Support set up andvalidateShelf life for the new products industrialized

• Process Optimization: Work closely withengineering andproduction teams to ensurecontinues improvement and waste reduction.

The ideal candidate will havesolidcorechocolateprocess and producttechnicalskills, andbe able to understand the needs of the business, ourconsumersand customers tosupport theHead ofProduct Developmentin creating and drivingan exciting productagenda.

Within the Global Functions team, we supporttheNAMregion, toleveragesize,expertiseand best practices.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DELIVERABLES:

• Own the process engineering workstream for assigned innovation, renovation, valueoptimisationand 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, operatingparametersand scale-up plans.

• Design and execute factory trials using clear hypotheses, protocols, acceptance criteria, samplingplansand data sheets.

• Lead technical trial readiness reviews covering materials, equipment, line availability, safety, food safety, specifications, test methods,resourcesand 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, qualitydefectsand reliability issues; translate findings into sustainable corrective and preventive actions.

• Commercializeproductplatforms surrounding innovation opportunitiesin 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, qualitydefectsand 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 withGodiva chefstoassess the impact of ingredient, supplier, recipe, equipment or parameter changes through risk assessment and controlled validation before implementation.

• Develop andmaintainprocess specifications, centreline settings, process control plans, standard operating parameters, trial reports, productstandardsand 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 andparticipatinginpilot 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,suppliersand co-manufacturers to deliver manufacturable solutions.

• Ensure all work is completedin accordance withsite safety, food safety, hygiene, GMP and change-management requirements.

• Draw up product specs to final status ensuring effective handover of the development to theregionalCategories Product Development Teams.

• Contribution toGodiva and Pladis Innovation strategy through support of conceptualisation and proactive NPD.

• Work with colleagues to ensure that product development facilities aremaintainedto a safe and hygienic standard andoperateusing lean principles. Drive for continuous improvement.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential Criteria

• BSdegree 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,formulationand processing

• Problem-solving ability using innovative thought and good scientific judgement

• Proventrack recordoftechnical 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 insupporting thelaunchofproducts

• Technicalapproaches 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 ambientchocolate (cakes/biscuits/snacks)

• Knowledge of global pladis brands, business, keycompetitorsand 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.