Pilot Plant and Process Training Manager

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

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This role is based at our Hector Laing Development Centre in High Wycombe: HP12 4HJ

Site introduction:

Our Hectar Laing Development Centre site is the beating heart of innovation at pladis,  a dynamic hub where creativity, science, and consumer insight come together to shape the future of snacking. Home to our Innovation, R&D, Regulatory, and Technical Insights teams, this site supports both pladis Global and UK&I, driving progress across our sweet and savoury portfolios. With a state-of-the-art pilot plant and a culture of collaboration, High Wycombe is our centre of excellence for research and development. From the first spark of an idea to the final product on shelf, our teams work side by side to deliver exciting, high-quality snacks that delight consumers everywhere. It’s a place where every voice matters, and every innovation is powered by the passion and expertise of our people. 

What will this role achieve?

Driving technical excellence, innovation, and capability development across R&D!

We are looking for a Pilot Plant and Process Training Manager to act as a key technical expert within our product development function. This role plays a central part in supporting breakthrough innovation, shaping our health and wellness agenda, collaborating with suppliers, and strengthening process capability across the UK&I business.

You’ll lead the Pilot Plant and Analytical Capability team, ensuring equipment, processes, and resources are in place to deliver a smooth transition from concept to factory. As the main technical contact for complex manufacturing challenges, you’ll work closely with R&D, Supply Chain, and site teams to resolve issues, build capability, and drive continuous improvement.

This role also includes ownership of training needs across R&D and cross‑functional partners, developing future capability, managing maintenance and upgrades, and leading a team to deliver high performance and ongoing development.

What will be your key deliverables?

• Lead collaborative innovation delivery, partnering with R&D, Supply Chain, Commercialisation, Insights, Packaging, and SQSE to land new products, oversee scale‑up, and translate market and consumer trends into technical solutions.
• Drive value improvement, supporting cost‑saving programmes, evaluating key product attributes, recommending changes to improve profitability, and partnering with suppliers to validate opportunities.
• Ensure business continuity and quality, providing technical expertise for CIM, line transfers and issue resolution, managing specification reviews, and leading improvement plans.
• Build technical capability, overseeing training across R&D, developing people and processes, strengthening pilot plant and analytical capability, and acting as a visible ambassador for R&D.
• Provide strong leadership and team development, managing a team of up to five colleagues, supporting their growth, nurturing talent pipelines, and promoting a culture of innovation, collaboration, and high performance.

Bring your experience!

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Food Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in food manufacturing, ideally within baked products or snacks.
• Proven experience leading projects and product launches, including new formats, technologies, or equipment installations.
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, and people‑development skills.

Desirable

• Experience working with baked and savoury products.
• Previous R&D experience within a food manufacturing organisation

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

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.

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 business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan
• Private medical Insurance
• 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
• Discounted gym membership – Carlisle and Chiswick only
• 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 – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite

Agile – We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.

Positive – We’re highly motivated optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better

Resilient - We’re 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 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.

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.