Position Title: R&D; Director, Australia & New Zealand

Position Type: Regular - Full time ​

Requisition ID: 42258

In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences together for high impact outcomes. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.

About the role.

The R&D; Director ANZ is a senior leadership role responsible for driving innovation-led growth and value creation across Australia and New Zealand. Reporting to the VP R&D; APACSA, this role leads the ANZ Research & Development function, partnering closely with the ANZ Senior Leadership Team to translate consumer insights, technical expertise, regulatory requirements, supplier capabilities, and manufacturing realities into commercially successful products and strategic business decisions. The role provides end-to-end leadership across the innovation lifecycle, from concept development through commercialization and continuous improvement.

What you’ll be doing.

- Lead the ANZ R&D; organization and contribute as a member of the ANZ Leadership Team and APACSA R&D; Leadership Team.
- Translate ANZ product vision into clear innovation, development, and growth priorities.
- Shape and optimize the product development pipeline in partnership with Marketing and business stakeholders.
- Own the innovation and renovation portfolio from concept through commercialization using strong governance and stage-gate disciplines.
- Drive growth, productivity, and cost competitiveness through innovation and technical excellence.
- Oversee technical execution including formulation, processing, scale-up, production trials, and commercialization.
- Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Procurement, and Commercial teams to ensure operational readiness and successful execution.
- Build strong collaboration with regional and global R&D; teams, suppliers, and external partners to unlock innovation and capability.
- Develop a high-performing R&D; function through talent development, succession planning, and capability building.
- Champion transformation initiatives that elevate R&D; as a strategic and customer-focused business partner.

What you’ll need to be successful.

- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related discipline with direct food or FMCG manufacturing application.
- 10+ years of R&D; experience within FMCG or food manufacturing, including senior leadership responsibility.




- Proven experience leading product development from concept through scale-up, commercialization, and post-launch optimization.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production trials, supplier management, and regulatory requirements.
- Demonstrated success leading and developing multi-site technical teams with accountability for performance and succession planning.
- Experience shaping portfolio strategy, innovation roadmaps, and pipeline execution.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to communicate technical complexity and influence executive-level decision making.
- Experience working within global, matrixed organizations and leading through influence across functions and geographies.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking, technical depth, and commercial judgment.

About the team. This role leads the ANZ R&D; organization, with responsibility for approximately 20 team members located across Melbourne and Ballarat. The position has accountability for the ANZ R&D; operating budget and works closely with regional and global R&D; teams, while maintaining a dotted-line relationship with the ANZ Managing Director. The team spans product development, regulatory affairs, packaging, specifications, and food science capabilities, supporting innovation and business growth across the ANZ region.

About McCain.

Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.

Leadership principles.

At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

AI & Digital Capabilities.

At McCain, AI and digital capabilities are part of how we work and innovate. We value curiosity toward emerging technologies and the thoughtful, responsible use of AI-enabled tools to improve outcomes as part of our future-ready culture.

The McCain experience.

We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value.



Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we’re better together.

Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. We’re big believers in the power of working together in person—it helps us stay connected, collaborate more effectively, and grow as a team. At the same time, we recognize the importance of flexibility. Most office-based roles follow a hybrid model, with the option to work remotely two days a week. There may be exceptions depending on the role and location, so we encourage you to speak with your recruiter for more details.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply today and bring your expertise, curiosity, and ideas to a company where your contribution truly matters.

*We've got this covered! No external agency support is required at this time and unsolicited CVs will not be considered.

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.

Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here.

Job Family: Research & Development

Division: Global Research and Development

Department: ​ANZ Research and Development ​

Location(s): AU - Australia : Victoria : Melbourne

Company: McCain Foods (Aust) Pty.

📌 R&D Director, Australia & New Zealand (Melbourne)
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📍 Melbourne