Sensory Panel Intern

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led ,
resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility , we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

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We are seeking a Sensory Panel Intern (12 months) to support the smooth operation of the sensory panel which operates 4 days per week, 51 weeks per year in High Wycombe. Sensory profiling underpins our business and is used to validate recipe matches for global roll-out, validate cost savings and confirm ingredients changes and sugar/salt/sat fat reductions are non-consumer noticeable, underpin shelf life and support product and pack innovation (new products/formats and line extensions, flavour and texture opportunity spaces) and commercial innovation (claims etc ).

Additionally, this role supports more agile product testing i.e. discrimination tests used to screen prototypes ahead of full sensory profiling and/or consumer testing and to support small recipe changes.

This role is based at High Wycombe 5 days per week.

• Set up of all Sensory Testing following lab best practices and appropriate approach according to methodology
• Management of shelf life testing and data base management
• Management and execution of Discrimination Testing Programme
• Collaboration with test requesters and management of logging of product samples (sufficient quantity, date codes etc.)
• Ensure smooth operation of the daily panel sessions; sample logging, sample preparation, sample clearance and ensures expert assessments are completed by all panellists and uploaded into the system
• Maintain product inventory and help maintain sensory lab facility and quality system to good GMP to ensure rigour and robustness of results and compliance with internal standards
• Support the Sensory Panel Leader with managerial tasks of the Sensory Panel
• Execute with excellence agile product testing in support of quick decision making
• Source samples from the supermarkets/factory to support sensory testing
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives of the sensory facility

• Food Science or Nutrition degree with Sensory related modules (Studying or recently graduated)
• Basic knowledge of Sensory and Consumer Science
• Proficiency in basic computing skills

• Food preparation and/or development background
• Experience in supporting panels and/or leading taste tests
• Proficiency in statistics
• Proficiency in Red Jade or similar sensory programs

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.

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, fearless, 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…