Process Engineer

Context and role purpose 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 of protocepts to prototypes 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 Innovation in the delivery of an ambitious and transformational breakthrough 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 external partners to identify appropriate opportunities and drive development of innovative solutions, best practice approaches and systems.

• Delivering technical concepts into product development
• Supporting the Process Engineering Centre of Excellence within the Global Innovation Team
• Supporting in the development of solutions to technical hurdles
• Supporting in the provision of a technical response to commercial briefs
• Delivering bench samples and supporting in the running of pilot / factory trials
• Supporting in ensuring costs are managed in line with trial budgets and project plans

The ideal candidate will have solid core technical skills and be able to understand the needs of the business, our consumers and customers to support the Senior Product Development Manager in creating and driving an exciting product agenda. 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:
Product Innovation Leads centres of excellence for key areas to build and share core knowledge and drive standards Portfolio transformation for Health and Happiness Sustainability (i.e. environment-friendly initiatives) Transformational Productivity, through product reformulation

• Support in the delivery of the medium to long term roadmap to drive innovation sustainability and productivity
• Build internal cross-functional expertise and relationships to support to deliver that agenda
• Work where needed with regional product development and engineering teams
• Build collaborative relationships with Suppliers, capturing and sharing best practices on the market

The position will report to the Head of Innovation for the Savoury category. 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 ensure balanced focus on the productivity and sustainability deliverables.

• Deliver against the technical aspects of product design, meeting quality, cost and timings outlined.
• Support the Process Engineering Centre of Excellence to unlock new-to-pladis processes and scalable product architectures, improve quality, robustness and speed from concept to manufacturing scale.
• Build global technology platforms surrounding innovation opportunities with a focus on unlocking new process technology opportunities to enable these.
• Utilising in depth understanding of science, evidence, data and facts to make clear recommendations on product and process design aspects.
• Connect and consult with external suppliers and propose materials/processes that deliver business benefits in line with project objectives.
• Apply robust scientific methodologies to develop research hypothesis and execute bench and pilot plant experiments/trials.
• Characterise ingredients and final products using a broad range of techniques, such as texture and rheology.
• Analyse and interpret analytical data with full ability to implement results and provide next steps recommendations.
• Collaborate with others to build and deliver appropriate solutions to defined technical hurdles.
• Ensure timely completion of project documentation.
• Ensure technical gates are completed at each stage plus ensure the completion of ingredient specs, product specs, HARA, and product quality attributes delegating tasks to project team as appropriate.
• Developing bench samples, planning and participating in pilot plant and factory trials (pladis and Suppliers), and presentation of samples to marketing and other stakeholders.
• Ensure that all work is carried out in a safe and hygienic manner, following factory or bakery GMPs.
• Draw up product specs to final status ensuring effective handover of the development to the regional Categories Product Development Teams.
• Contribution to pladis Innovation strategy through support…