Pilot Plant and Process Training Manager

Pilot Plant and Process Training Manager

We are looking for a Pilot Plant and Process Training Manager to act as a key technical expert within our product development function. This role plays a central part in supporting breakthrough innovation, shaping our health and wellness agenda, collaborating with suppliers, and strengthening process capability across the UK&I business.

Driving technical excellence, innovation, and capability development across R&D!

Lead collaborative innovation delivery, partnering with R&D, Supply Chain, Commercialisation, Insights, Packaging, and SQSE to land new products, oversee scale‑up, and translate market and consumer trends into technical solutions.

Drive value improvement, supporting cost‑saving programmes, evaluating key product attributes, recommending changes to improve profitability, and partnering with suppliers to validate opportunities.

Ensure business continuity and quality, providing technical expertise for CIM, line transfers and issue resolution, managing specification reviews, and leading improvement plans.

Build technical capability, overseeing training across R&D, developing people and processes, strengthening pilot plant and analytical capability, and acting as a visible ambassador for R&D.

Provide strong leadership and team development, managing a team of up to five colleagues, supporting their growth, nurturing talent pipelines, and promoting a culture of innovation, collaboration, and high performance.

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Food Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in food manufacturing, ideally within baked products or snacks.
• Proven experience leading projects and product launches, including new formats, technologies, or equipment installations.
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, and people‑development skills.

Desirable

• Experience working with baked and savoury products.
• Previous R&D experience within a food manufacturing organisation

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

What will the interview process be?

• Initial Telephone call with Talent Acquisition
• 1st stage interview – 45 minutes competency-based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
• 2nd stage interview – 60 minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.

[Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk] does also use both Psychometric and Aptitude tests to support our processes so you may be asked to complete these as part of your process. Some processes may differ, but we will keep you updated!

What does [Employer hidden] offer you?

• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) – this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self-enrol into Health Cash Plan
• Private medical Insurance
• Enhanced parental leave and a supportive phased return-to-work program to help colleagues balance family and career.
• 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
• Discounted gym membership – Carlisle and Chiswick only
• Discount and Cashback Scheme – make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial Wellbeing Support
• Access to great training and development opportunities