Innovation Process Lead: Scale-Up & Cross-Functional Coach

Birch & Waite; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Birch & Waite in Sydney (Marrickville & Revesby, moving to Villawood) is hiring a Process Innovation Lead to scale growth without compromising quality. You will coach and develop a team of Innovation Process Technicians, driving trials, scale-up and product transfers from concept to full-scale production.

Reporting to the Head of Innovation, you’ll lead cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Planning and Quality, travel between sites, and establish the pilot plant to test new products

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Food Technology, Food Process Engineering or Chemical Engineering.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing a team.
• Experience running or supporting factory trials, scale-up or product transfers.
• Solid understanding of food manufacturing, food safety and quality requirements.
• Scientific, structured approach to trials, data capture and analysis.
• Track record leading projects across functions.

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching and developing the Innovation Process Technicians, setting clear goals and giving regular, constructive feedback
• Building cross-skilling and succession depth so trial and transfer work never relies on any one person
• Growing your team's independence, so technicians plan and run trials with confidence
• Sharing scale-up and process knowledge with Operations and Quality to lift capability beyond your immediate team
• Leading factory trials and product/process transfers from concept to full-scale production, capturing the data needed for quality sign-off and resolving issues fast
• Bringing Innovation, Operations, Planning and Quality together around clear plans, and engaging stakeholders early to keep everyone aligned and informed
• Contributing to upfront product and process design, optimising for cost, quality and scale-up success from day one
• Owning the handover to Operations, with SOPs, process controls and documentation completed and signed off, no loose ends
• Acting as the primary link between Innovation and Operations, supporting plant performance, quality investigations and cost-improvement projects
• Establishing and managing our pilot plant to test new products, processes and ingredients for effective scale-up

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Project planning

Stakeholder management

Change management

Education

Tertiary qualification in Food Technology or Chemical Engineering

Job description

Birch & Waite in Sydney (Marrickville & Revesby, moving to Villawood) is hiring a Process Innovation Lead to scale growth without compromising quality. You will coach and develop a team of Innovation Process Technicians, driving trials, scale-up and product transfers from concept to full-scale production.

Reporting to the Head of Innovation, you’ll lead cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Planning and Quality, travel between sites, and establish the pilot plant to test new products