New Product Development Manager

Meyer Food Co.; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly Friday lunches

Family culture

Impactful work

Job summary

Meyer Food Co in Sydney is seeking a New Product Development Manager to own the NPD department from brief to launch. You will lead the NPD team and guide projects through our stage-gate process, aligning Operations, QA, Planning, Procurement and Sales to ensure on-time launches.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in food NPD, strong knowledge of HACCP/GMP/SQF, and proven leadership across cross-functional teams, with excellent stakeholder engagement and project management skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in new product development within food manufacturing.
• Tertiary qualification in food science/technology/engineering or equivalent.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams across Operations, QA, Planning, Procurement and Sales.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, GMP and SQF.
• Experience validating products and samples.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management; confident presenting to customers.
• Strong project management; experience with stage-gate processes.
• Current Australian work rights and a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Own delivery of all NPD and EPD projects from brief to launch.
• Lead product design across primal, process, raw materials, packaging and tech.
• Own product validation including organoleptic, benchmarking, microbial and sensory tests.
• Lead cross-functional team, identify risks early and resolve them before production.
• Collaborate with Sales and customers; occasional interstate client meetings.
• Manage suppliers to deliver samples and specs on time; drive innovation and cost savings.
• Set KPIs, report results, build a high-energy team.

Skills

NPD experience

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Food safety knowledge

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Australian work rights

Driver's license

Stage-gate process

Education

Tertiary qualifications in food science/technology/engineering

Job description

Meyer Food Co / Kings Park / Full-time

Where great food ideas become real products

Who We Are

Chances are you've eaten our products without realising. Meyer Food Co is a family business and we're not a brand in the spotlight, but we're behind some of the biggest names in Australia. Our products are used by major retailers, clubs, pubs, national fast-food chains, aged care providers and hospitals across the country.

We specialise in value-added food. Using our unique Sous Vide cooking and packaging process, we turn raw ingredients into slow-cooked, nutritious, great-tasting meals. Last year alone, we produced enough meat to feed every person in Australia three times over.

The Role

We're looking for a New Product Development Manager to own our NPD department and be accountable for every product development project, from approved brief right through to launch. You'll lead the NPD team, steer projects through our stage gate process, and bring Operations, QA, Planning, Procurement and Sales together so products launch correctly and on time.

What you'll do

• Own the delivery of all NPD and EPD projects, from brief to launch
• Lead product design across primal, process, raw materials, packaging and technology
• Own product validation, including organoleptic, benchmarking, microbial and sensory testing
• Lead the cross functional team, spot risks early and resolve them before they reach production or the customer
• Work closely with Sales and our customers, with occasional interstate travel to meet and present to clients
• Manage suppliers to deliver samples and specifications on time, along with innovation and cost savings
• Set KPIs, report on results, and build a high-energy, engaged team

What we're looking for

Essential

• 5+ years' experience in new product development within food manufacturing, including managing projects from brief to launch
• Tertiary qualifications in food science, food technology, food engineering or a related field, or equivalent industry experience
• Experience leading a team and working with cross functional teams across Operations, QA, Planning, Procurement and Sales
• Strong knowledge of food safety and quality systems (HACCP, GMP and SQF)
• Experience managing product validation, specifications and sample approvals
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence presenting to customers
• Strong project management skills, ideally with experience in a stage gate process
• Current Australian work rights and a valid driver's licence

Why Meyer Food Co

• A family business with a positive culture and a genuine focus on staff wellbeing
• A fast-paced environment where your work is seen and makes a real impact
• The chance to lead the department and shape products that end up on plates across Australia
• Join the weekly Friday lunches with the team, and the chance to be part of real innovation in food.