Process Engineer

pladis Global•Reading, PA

53d

About The Position

This is an important role responsible for supporting in the development of new recipes, formats, and products to fit with concepts that will drive brand strategies. They will work with cross-functional teams to bring technical briefs to reality. They will support the Head of Product Development in the delivery of an ambitious and transformational 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 regional and external partners to identify appropriate opportunities and drive development of innovative solutions, best practice approaches and systems.

Requirements

BS degree level qualification in Food Science/Technology, or related field.
3+ years of experience in chocolate or confectionery product development.
Sound technical knowledge of food ingredients, functionalities, formulation and processing.
Problem-solving ability using innovative thought and good scientific judgement.
Proven track record of technical positions in food companies.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to work well with others, and ability to plan and execute work independently with minimal supervision.
A passion for science and food.
Validated experience in product development.
Project management experience, including a good understanding of the roles and responsibilities of project team members.
Demonstrable success in supporting the launch of products.
Technical approaches to problem solving.
Driven with outstanding decision-making skills.
Good understanding of health and safety requirements.

Nice To Haves

MD in Food science as ideal.
Understanding of Lean principles/Lean Sigma.
Process knowledge outside of ambient chocolate (cakes/biscuits/snacks).
Knowledge of global pladis brands, business, key competitors and key markets.

Responsibilities

Translate product designs into manufacturing process flows, trial plans, equipment requirements, operating windows and scale-up strategies.
Define critical process parameters and quality attributes; execute statistically sound trials to confirm repeatability, capability and control.
Compose test run Protocol, outlining test parameters and objectives, prior to performing test.
Prepare any necessary data sheets for gathering test data to validate new products.
Collect samples from test runs and perform statistical analysis of SPC weights/measurements and Analytical studies.
Compile information using programming software.
Support Reading production for technical troubleshooting for chocolate, caramel, tempering, moulding, enrobing and other available technologies.
Diagnose and resolve issues across chocolate handling, tempering, moulding, enrobing, caramel and filling preparation, cooling, demoulding and related technologies.
Support definition of Visual Standards for new products, create and maintain products standard.
Complete New Product “workbook” in preparation for Commercialization scale up process and the making of Sales samples.
Prepare Preliminary documentation for Pricing Studies and Bill of Material set up.
Support set up and validate Shelf life for the new products industrialized.
Work closely with engineering and production teams to ensure continues improvement and waste reduction.
Own the process engineering workstream for assigned innovation, renovation, value optimisation and productivity projects from technical brief through factory implementation and post-launch stabilisation.
Convert product concepts and recipes into defined process flows, unit operations, equipment requirements, mass balances, operating parameters and scale-up plans.
Design and execute factory trials using clear hypotheses, protocols, acceptance criteria, sampling plans and data sheets.
Lead technical trial readiness reviews covering materials, equipment, line availability, safety, food safety, specifications, test methods, resources and contingency plans.
Provide hands-on process support during commissioning, first production, ramp-up and troubleshooting for chocolate preparation, tempering, moulding, enrobing, filling and caramel systems, cooling, demoulding and associated packaging interfaces.
Apply structured root-cause analysis and problem-solving tools to resolve process losses, quality defects and reliability issues; translate findings into sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
Commercialize product platforms surrounding innovation opportunities in Reading.
Apply robust scientific methodologies to develop research hypothesis and execute bench and pilot plant experiments/trials.
Analyse and interpret analytical data with full ability to implement results and provide next steps recommendations.
Collaborate with Godiva chefs to assess the impact of ingredient, supplier, recipe, equipment or parameter changes through risk assessment and controlled validation before implementation.
Develop and maintain process specifications, centreline settings, process control plans, standard operating parameters, trial reports, product standards and technical handover packages.
Complete technical governance deliverables at each project gate, including product and ingredient specifications, HARA inputs, process risk assessments, quality attributes, bills of material and commercialisation workbooks.
Planning and participating in pilot plant and factory trials (pladis and Suppliers), and presentation of samples to stakeholders.
Support shelf-life validation by ensuring that manufacturing conditions and process variation are represented in study design and sample selection.
Build effective partnerships with R&D, Culinary, Quality, Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Marketing, suppliers and co-manufacturers to deliver manufacturable solutions.
Ensure all work is completed in accordance with site safety, food safety, hygiene, GMP and change-management requirements.
Draw up product specs to final status ensuring effective handover of the development to the regional Categories Product Development Teams.
Contribution to Godiva and Pladis Innovation strategy through support of conceptualisation and proactive NPD.
Work with colleagues to ensure that product development facilities are maintained to a safe and hygienic standard and operate using lean principles.
Drive for continuous improvement.