Product Development Intern

What will this role achieve?

The Product Development Intern together with the Product Development Manager will be delivering developments to the market meeting the quality, cost and timings expected. This requires close interaction with marketing, operations and operational service departments to ensure that developments are in line with marketing, procurement and operations strategies.

As an intern you will be responsible for driving projects forward and be involved in projects at different stages of the innovation process.

During your time with us you will be exposed to both laboratories, pilot plant and factory environments. Through the internship you will build your technical knowledge where snacks are concerned, understand the steps of innovation and the importance of brands and consumers in shaping product design.

Please note: This Fixed Term Contract for 12 months and will require you to be on site at High Wycombe 5 days per week.

What will be your key deliverables?

• Supporting a number of new product development projects
• Working in the test bakery and supporting trials
• Be involved in projects across the spectrum of our snacking categories, from sweet biscuits to savoury snacks and from chocolate to cake
• The opportunity to have their own project under supervision of an PDM
• Develop product options to meet a marketing brief (meeting time, prime cost and quality criteria)
• Closely collaborating with process, central and packaging teams to create and deliver appropriate solutions to defined technical hurdles
• Presenting samples to marketing and translating feedback into recipe and/or process developments
• Ensure that all work is carried out in a safe and hygienic manner, following factory or bakery gmp’s
• Producing draft recipe costs for comparative purposes
• Support project manager and/or PDM in effective scheduling of project tasks and identification of resource requirements (time, money, people)
• Support project manager and/or PDM in the development of a project risk assessment, including contingency plans
• Raise any technical or project related issues that might affect quality, cost or time of delivery with PDM

Bring your experience.

Essential:

• Currently studying or have recently graduated from a Food Science/Nutrition Degree
• Experience in a food related industry is desirable.
• Good communication and time management skills
• Good presentation and IT skills
• Passion for food and innovation
• Self-motivated and driven
• Team player
• Strong leadership skills

What does pladis offer you?

• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) – this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• 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
• Financial Wellbeing Support
• Access to great training and development opportunities

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.

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.