Family and ideas have always been our ingredients. Our founding families believed biscuits and chocolates could bring moments of happiness to the world. Their ideas have stood the test of time. Their spirit continues to inspire our future. It’s in the care and the craft we bake into biscuits and chocolates that have been loved for generations. And it’s in the fresh ideas, the new twists, flavours and textures we add to old and new favourites.
Day in and day out, our 16,000 brilliant colleagues bring it to pladis. Bring what?
Their will to win. Their drive and ambition. Their brilliant ideas. Their whole selves. Their passion for our globally loved biscuits and chocolates. Their excitement at being part of the world’s fastest growing snacking business. And their belief in our purpose to bring happiness with every bite.
About the role
As part of our ‘Emerging Talent’ Graduate Programme you will have the opportunity to work with some of the Nation's Favourite biscuit brands including McVities, Jaffa, Penguin, Mini Cheddars, Jacob’s and Carr’s.
This role is a fantastic opportunity to work in partnership with Innovation, Brand, CMI and R&D teams to support innovations at pladis. The successful candidate will spend time working the with Consumer Technical Insights team (CTI) to develop and manage appropriate sensory and consumer research to guide product development and innovation. You will also gain an understanding on how consumer and market insights influence the innovation strategy and steer product development. In a final stage, there will be an opportunity to work within product development teams to learn how Consumer Technical Insights and Consumer and Market Insights are then translated and implemented in the product development process of innovation.
What will be your key deliverables?
- Project management of pladis innovation projects
- Utilisation of multiple Sensory & Consumer Science tools to develop strong product and consumer technical insights
- Statistical analysis, interpretation and reporting of Sensory, Consumer Research and Marketing Insights data
- Provide development recommendations to R&D based on developed multi-facetted insights and translate these recommendations into actionable development steps
- Drive cross-functional collaboration and strong communication and stay abreast of projects and timelines
Bring your ambition!
Person Specification
- Achieved or working towards a 2:2 or above in Sensory Science, Food Science, Psychology, Social Sciences or related discipline
- Proactive approach to getting things done
- Continuously looking to improve with growth mindset
- Ability to analyse problems, create insight and propose innovative solutions
- Passion to work in partnership to achieve common goals
- Resilience when faced with setbacks and enthusiasm to achieve
- Ability to flex approach to ensure effective communication
- Motivation to drive career and seek experiences to support ambitions
- Passion and excitement for a career in the food industry
- Right to work in the UK
Location and Salary
You will be based 5 days a week in our R&D Centre of Excellence in High Wycombe. As part of our emerging talent programme you will need to have flexibility to travel for both the role and training. There may also be the option of relocation for rotations, therefore flexibility would be important.
The starting salary is £32,000 with a joining bonus equivalent to one month's salary to help you prepare for the scheme, which includes moving and other expenses. This would need to be repaid should you decide to leave within 12 months of the programme.
Our Purpose
Bring happiness with every bite
It’s a purpose that every one of our colleagues, all around the world believes in. And while we’re all unique, we also share the same values.
Each of our values is important on its own. In combination they’re exceptionally powerful.
Our values have deep personal meaning to us. They’re part of who we are and what we stand for as an employer. Living our pladis values is a key part of success, look out for questions in your interview that link to these key pladis values.
Winning traits and behaviours
- 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 phenomenal 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.
We want you to have every opportunity to bring your whole-self and show us your talents.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Application Process
The application process for pladis’ Emerging Talent Graduate Programme will close on Friday 5 th January.
- Complete initial screening to give us more information on yourself and motivation for joining pladis.
- After this is reviewed you will be invited to complete some online assessments.
- The next stage following successful completion of the assessments will be a video interview, to allow us to find out more about you and your interest in pladis’ Emerging Talent Graduate Programme.
- Finally, if successful, you will be invited to the final stage of the recruitment process which is to deliver a presentation. This will be held in person at Chiswick Park during the last 2 weeks of February.