Food Technologist / Product Technologist - Product Development | R&D; | Food & Pharma Industry

Our client is a proudly Australian-owned health and wellness supplement business combining specialist ingredient distribution with local product development and manufacturing. Through their manufacturing facility near Clayton, they support customers throughout the product development journey, from initial concept and formulation to commercial scale-up and launch.

About the role

This inter-departmental role of Product Technologist reports directly to our client's Product Development Manager. The primary responsibility of this role is to plan and coordinate factory trials and first production runs with Production, Quality and Engineering teams at the factory. The role also manages assigned customer projects from brief to commercial launch, conducts bench trials, coordinates factory trials and resolves formulation and processing challenges.

Additionally, this candidate supports our client's ingredient distribution business by reviewing supplier documentation and physical samples, translating ingredient functionality into product applications.

The successful candidate must manage their own workload, maintain robust attention to detail and balance technical rigour, pace and commercial priorities across both businesses.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & MANUFACTURING [80%]

• Independently manage assigned end-to-end product development projects from customer brief, concept and formulation through bench trials, costing, scale-up, validation, first production and post-launch review.

- Translate customer needs into technically feasible, compliant and commercially viable formulations, maintaining clear development plans, timelines, risk records and recommendations.
- Design, conduct and document bench trials, sensory evaluations, stability or shelf-life assessments and sample preparation; interpret results and determine next steps.
- Plan and coordinate factory trials and first production runs with Production, Quality, Engineering, Procurement and Supply Chain teams; troubleshoot formulation, processing and scale-up issues and escalate higher-risk matters.
- Develop and maintain accurate recipes, bills of materials, finished-product specifications, Nutrition Information Panels, label inputs and other technical or manufacturing documentation.
- Review formulation and labelling compliance against FSANZ requirements, customer requirements and relevant certification standards, escalating specialist regulatory questions where appropriate.
- Optimise formulations and processes for product quality, manufacturability, yield, cost, margin and supply continuity without compromising food safety or agreed customer requirements.
- Support raw-material substitutions, change controls,



non-conformances, complaints and continuous-improvement projects affecting product performance or manufacture.
- Support customer tastings, site visits, technical meetings and presentations, communicating findings and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – INGREDIENT DISTRIBUTION TECHNICAL SUPPORT [20%]

• Conduct fit-for-purpose technical assessments of new and existing ingredients, including product and regulatory documentation, certifications, safety data and supporting scientific or application evidence, escalating gaps or higher-risk questions where required.
- Evaluate physical ingredient samples using appropriate sensory and practical application methods, documenting findings and comparing options or benchmarks.
- Identify technical gaps, risks and further testing requirements, and prepare clear recommendations on ingredient suitability, limitations and proposed applications for review where appropriate.
- Create practical, market-relevant ingredient concepts, prototypes and application samples for the Sales team and customers, supported by indicative formulations, use levels, processing guidance and key technical selling points.
- Translate complex supplier and scientific information into accurate, commercially useful technical summaries, presentations, FAQs, comparison tables and training materials without overstating claims or evidence.
- Maintain traceable assessment records and ensure technical claims, sample findings and recommendations are evidence-based and appropriately qualified.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Food Science, Food Technology or a closely related discipline.
- At least 5 years of relevant food-industry experience, including a minimum of 3 years in a hands-on NPD or Product Technologist role within a food manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience independently managing product development projects from brief through formulation, factory scale-up and commercial launch, including production trials and first production runs.
- Strong practical formulation capability, sound food chemistry knowledge and sensory assessment skills, with evidence of solving product or process problems.
- Experience creating and controlling recipes, BOMs, specifications, batch sheets, processing instructions, NIPs, label inputs and technical reports.




- Experience in sports nutrition, functional foods, powdered beverages, dietary supplements, protein products or contract manufacturing is highly regarded.
- Experience working with ERP and/or structured NPD stage-gate processes is desirable.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

• Sound working knowledge of FSANZ requirements and relevant State regulations, including nutrition or health claims applicable to the product categories.
- Sound understanding of food manufacturing GMP, HACCP-based food safety systems and recognised certification schemes such as SQF.
- Understanding of ingredient functionality, supplier technical documentation, analytical results, specification setting, shelf-life principles and risk-based technical assessment.
- Working knowledge of costing, margin, yield, minimum order quantities and other commercial considerations that influence formulation and ingredient decisions.

CAPABILITIES & BEHAVIOURS

• Technical judgement – evaluates evidence, identifies risk, makes practical recommendations and escalates complex or higher-risk matters appropriately.

- Commercial and customer focus – balances product quality and compliance with cost, manufacturability, timing and customer value.
- Project ownership and delivery – independently manages assigned projects and competing priorities, follows actions through to completion and maintains accurate records.
- Problem solving – uses structured investigation, data and hands-on experimentation to resolve formulation, processing and ingredient-performance issues.
- Can-do attitude and initiative – approaches challenges with energy, resourcefulness and a willingness to step in, take ownership and find practical solutions.
- Attention to detail – maintains a high level of accuracy and consistency across formulations, calculations, technical assessments, samples and documentation while keeping sight of the broader commercial objective.
- Collaboration and adaptability – works constructively across our client's manufacturing and ingredient businesses in a fast-changing, growth-oriented environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Based on site near Clayton, Melbourne. Monday to Friday during standard business hours, with flexibility required for scheduled factory trials or production support.
- The role involves regular work in laboratory, warehouse and food-manufacturing environments and requires compliance with site GMP, hygiene and safety requirements.
- Occasional travel may be required for customer visits and meetings, trade shows or industry events.

APPLY NOW!

If this sounds like the next challenge you're looking for, we look forward to hearing from you. Email Kristine Tuazon for a confidential discussion: [email protected]

📌 Food Technologist | Product Development | NPD | R&D | Food & Pharma Industry (City of Bayside)
🏢 Good People HR
📍 City of Bayside