Senior Cocoa & Chocolate Scientist

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 dont 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-ledresilientandpositiveto 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

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Role Title: Senior Cocoa and Chocolate Scientist

Site introduction:

What will this role achieve

This is a critical role responsible for building the know-how on Cocoa and translate that into innovative and sustainable chocolate confectionery and baked products. This role will work closely with other functions e.g. procurement sensory marketing regulatory etc. to ensure an agile and smooth translation of science to products.

This role seats in the Global Innovation and Technology Team under the Breakthrough Product Director to ensure direct translation of opportunities against an ambitious and transformational breakthrough innovation 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 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:

• Know-how on Cocoa Materials and Chocolate Technologies
• Translation of above to confectionary and baked applications
• Developing solutions to technical hurdles
• Providing a technical response to product challenges
• Owning and delivering test trials from small-bench to medium-pilot scale and support upscaling to factory scale.
• Managing project plans

What will be your key deliverables

Global R&D works hand in hand on many initiatives with partners in the other functions (both globally and within regions) to create strong competitive advantages for pladis including:

• Ingredients Technologies and Innovation
• Product Innovation
• Portfolio transformation for Health and Happiness
• Sustainability (i.e. environment-friendly initiatives)

Specifically on Breakthrough Cocoa programme we need to:

• Define and deliver a medium to long term roadmap and align an agenda to drive innovation sustainability and productivity build the internal cross-functional expertise and relationships to deliver that agenda.
• Support the Global Procurement team as we build strong and mid-term Sourcing Strategies.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with Suppliers to capture the best practices on the market and monitor project implementation.

The role will report to the Head of Global R&D Head of Cocoa Innovation*. It is expected that the incumbent will work very closely with their counterparts across the Central Innovation & technology team to effectively delivery the joint growth and transformation agenda and sustainability deliverables.

Principle Accountabilities

• Lead the creation and optimization of cocoa blends and chocolate products that engine Innovation pipeline.
• Build curate and share deep knowledge of emerging cocoa processing methods materials science and industry trends.
• Drive the development of proprietary and sustainable cocoa solutions including cross-category product designs.
• Lead research and development of novel cocoa extenders substitutes and flavour-modulating solutions.
• Own the end-to-end understanding of scalability from bean processing through chocolate confectionery and baked finished goods
• Lead prototyping cycles pilot plant and factory trials ensuring robust technical validation and readiness for launch.
• Provide expert technical support to operations delivering solutions that balance quality cost performance and sustainability.
• Identify develop and progress patentable opportunities within cocoa materials chocolate technologies and related processes
• Work collaboratively and in partnership with other functions and teams (e.g. Sensory and Consumers Insights Procurement Supply Chain Quality)

Bring your experience.

Essential

Excellent core technical skills and be able to understand the needs of the business our consumers and customers to drive an exciting cocoa and chocolate technology agenda. The individual will be a self-starter and possess a drive for results.

What will the interview process be

• Initial Telephone call with Talent Acquisition
• 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!

What does pladis offer you

• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) this is the businesss annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan
• Private medical Insurance (if eligible)
• Enhanced parental leave and a supportive phased return-to-work program to help colleagues balance family and career.
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance Cover upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• 25 days bank holidays
• Holiday Enhancement Scheme
• 1 Volunteering Day per year
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discount and Cashback Scheme make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands supermarkets and services
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial Wellbeing Support
• Access to great training and development opportunities

Our Values

Purpose led Were energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite

Agile Were ever evolving we never stand still always improving for our customers and our consumers.

Positive Were highly motivated optimistic courageous and we inspire each other to be better

Resilient - Were persistent in the face of setbacks quick to adapt learn and move forward

Collaborative We gain strength from operating as one pladis winning and succeeding together

Best mix of ingredients

pladis is an equal opportunities employer like every great recipe were a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work thats 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.

Accessibility at High Wycombe: Our High Wycombe site has accessible entrances and lifts between floors to support individuals with mobility needs but currently does not have step-free access. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process to receive other benefits and privileges of employment and where possible to perform key job functions.

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.