Food Technologist

Cootamundra Country Foods Pty Ltd; Cootamundra; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cootamundra Country Foods Pty Ltd, a NSW-based Australian food manufacturer, is seeking a Food Technologist to support product development, food safety, quality assurance and manufacturing at our Cootamundra facility.

You will work with management and production teams to maintain safety and quality standards, enhance processes and ensure compliance with Australian food legislation and FSANZ requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Technology, Food Science or a related discipline.
• Experience in food manufacturing, quality assurance or related field.
• Practical knowledge of HACCP and GMP.
• Experience with food testing, QC and product development.
• Understanding of Australian food safety legislation, export requirements and FSANZ.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Hands-on ability in a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience with meat processing or dried meat products is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, review and improve food product formulations and recipes.
• Support new product development and production trials.
• Conduct product testing, including water activity, sensory and other quality assessments.
• Monitor food safety controls, critical control points and production processes.
• Maintain and improve HACCP, GMP and food safety systems.
• Conduct quality inspections of raw materials, ingredients, packaging and finished products.
• Investigate product quality issues and non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain product specifications, procedures, SOPs and quality documentation.
• Conduct internal microbiological testing and coordinate external laboratory testing, including water and product sampling and Listeria testing.
• Support traceability, product verification and recall procedures.
• Assist with shelf-life testing and product stability assessments.
• Monitor compliance with relevant Australian food standards and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct internal audits, participate in external audits, and implement corrective actions where required.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and manufacturing efficiency.
• Provide food safety and quality training to production staff.
• Maintain accurate quality and production records.
• Work collaboratively with production and management teams to resolve technical and quality issues.

Skills

Food manufacturing

Quality assurance

HACCP & GMP

Food testing & product development

Australian food safety FSANZ

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Hands-on manufacturing

Meat processing / FMCG

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology or Food Science

Job description

Cootamundra Country Foods Pty Ltd is an Australian food manufacturing business established in 1993 and based in Cootamundra, regional NSW.

The company operates a purpose-built jerky manufacturing facility producing premium Australian dried meat products. The business operates under HACCP-based food safety and quality systems and is export registered, with a strong focus on product quality, food safety, traceability and continuous improvement.

About the Role

We are seeking a Food Technologist to support food product development, food safety, quality assurance and manufacturing operations at our Cootamundra facility.

The successful candidate will work closely with management and production staff to maintain food safety and quality standards, support product development and testing, improve manufacturing processes, and ensure compliance with applicable Australian food legislation and industry requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, review and improve food product formulations and recipes.
• Support new product development and production trials.
• Conduct product testing, including water activity, sensory and other quality assessments.
• Monitor food safety controls, critical control points and production processes.
• Maintain and improve HACCP, GMP and food safety systems.
• Conduct quality inspections of raw materials, ingredients, packaging and finished products.
• Investigate product quality issues and non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain product specifications, procedures, SOPs and quality documentation.
• Conduct internal microbiological testing and coordinate external laboratory testing, including water and product sampling and Listeria testing.
• Support traceability, product verification and recall procedures.
• Assist with shelf-life testing and product stability assessments.
• Monitor compliance with relevant Australian food standards and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct internal audits, participate in external audits, and implement corrective actions where required.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and manufacturing efficiency.
• Provide food safety and quality training to production staff.
• Maintain accurate quality and production records.
• Work collaboratively with production and management teams to resolve technical and quality issues.

Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Technology, Food Science or a related discipline.
• Experience in food manufacturing, food technology, quality assurance or a related field.
• Practical knowledge of HACCP and GMP principles.
• Experience with food testing, quality control and product development.
• Understanding of Australian food safety legislation, export requirements and FSANZ requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organisational skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work hands-on in a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience with meat processing, dried meat products or FMCG manufacturing will be highly regarded.