Senior Cocoa and Chocolate Scientist
Our High Wycombe site is a hub of innovation for pladis, supporting both global and UK&I studies across sweet and savoury portfolios.
What this role achieves
This critical role builds knowledge on cocoa and translates it into innovative and sustainable chocolate confectionery and baked products. It works closely with procurement, sensory, marketing, regulatory and other functions to translate science into products.
Key responsibilities
* Know‑how on Cocoa Materials and Chocolate Technologies
* Translate cocoa knowledge to confectionery and baked applications
* Develop solutions to technical hurdles
* Provide a technical response to product challenges
* Own and deliver test trials from bench to pilot scale and support upscaling to factory scale
* Manage project plans
Key deliverables
* Define and deliver a medium‑to‑long term roadmap for the Breakthrough Cocoa programme and align an agenda to drive innovation, sustainability and productivity
* Support the Global Procurement team in building strong mid‑term sourcing strategies
* Build collaborative relationships with suppliers and monitor project implementation
Principle accountabilities
* Lead creation and optimisation of cocoa blends and chocolate products to drive the innovation pipeline
* Build, curate and share knowledge of emerging cocoa processing methods, materials science and industry trends
* Drive development of proprietary and sustainable cocoa solutions, including cross‑category product designs
* Lead prototyping cycles, pilot plant and factory trials, ensuring robust technical validation and launch readiness
* Provide technical support to operations, balancing quality, cost, performance and sustainability
* Identify, develop and progress patentable opportunities in cocoa materials and chocolate technologies
* Work collaboratively with sensory, consumer insights, procurement, supply chain and quality teams
Experience and skills
Excellent core technical skills and ability to understand the needs of the business, consumers and customers to drive a cocoa and chocolate technology agenda. A self‑starter with a drive for results.
Benefits
* Annual Incentive Plan (AIP)
* Health Cash Plan self‑enrolment
* Private medical insurance (where eligible)
* Enhanced parental leave and phased return‑to‑work program
* Life assurance cover upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme
* 25 days + bank holidays
* 1 volunteering day per year
* Cycle to work scheme
* Discount and cashback scheme
* Access to employee assistance, financial wellbeing support and training opportunities
Accessibility
Accessible entrances and lifts between floors are available to support individuals with mobility needs; the site does not have step‑free access. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to participate in the job application or interview process and perform key job functions where possible.
Equal opportunity
pladis is an equal opportunities employer. 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.
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