Product Technologist - Nutrition & Health

About the role

Nestlé Health & Nutrition is looking for a Product Technologist in its Nutrition & Health team in Rhodes, Sydney. The role manages product development projects and initiatives aligned with the business roadmap, coordinates trials, solves technical challenges and helps deliver commercially viable products. It also acts as the Thermal Process Specialist for the market, building technical capability and linking the business with global expertise. The position is full time and permanent.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and introduce new products in response to marketing briefs, including feasibility studies, trial material preparation, pilot plant work, factory trials, commissioning and results evaluation.
• Project-manage product development, product introduction and cost-optimisation initiatives through to commercialisation.
• Partner with marketing, procurement, supply chain, regulatory, engineering, quality and manufacturing stakeholders, and work with contract manufacturers and local and international factories.
• Ensure product solutions are cost-effective and aligned with manufacturing performance, food safety, quality and consumer requirements.
• Execute Inter-Market Supply and Nestrade projects in line with business plans, policies, regulatory requirements and import permits.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing instructions and specifications for co-packing and co-manufacturing projects.
• Lead troubleshooting, product improvement, raw-material and recipe value-optimisation initiatives.
• Act as the market's subject-matter expert in thermal processing and contribute to compliance with health, safety, environmental, food safety and quality systems.
• Work flexibly with factory stakeholders across locations and time zones, with some travel required.

Required profile

• Degree in Food Science and Technology or a related discipline.
• Broad experience in product development and project management within an FMCG environment.
• Exposure to food manufacturing processes and factory or pilot-plant trials.
• Knowledge of food hygiene, HACCP and GMP requirements, and a strong understanding of FSANZ and other food regulations.
• Technical experience in thermal processing or the ability to develop it.
• Experience in sensory evaluation and understanding of consumer and customer requirements.
• Full Australian working rights; pre-employment checks including health checks are required.

Required skills

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Familiarity with SAP, I2L or similar product-development and business systems.

What we offer

• Competitive salary and an attractive bonus program.
• Up to five KitKat Days each year.
• Personalised development and varied career opportunities.
• Wellbeing benefits including free flu vaccinations, discounted private health insurance and discounted gym memberships.
• Purchased Leave, Volunteering Leave, Sports Leave and Emergency Services Leave.
• Up to 18 weeks paid parental leave and Novated leasing options.