NPD Technologist

Blackbook Recruitment; Campbelltown; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackbook Recruitment is seeking an experienced Food/NPD Technologist for a newly created role in Sydney. You will own NPD and commercialisation, drive factory trials, scale-up and successful production, and work directly with factory and commercial stakeholders on site.

The role is hands-on, execution-focused, and requires delivering launches through Stage Gate and collaborating with QA, Technical, and Supply Chain teams. 100% on-site in Sydney.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science or Food Technology.
• Experience in NPD in food manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with factory trials and scale-up.
• Experience with new equipment commissioning is valued.
• Ability to manage projects autonomously.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead factory trials, scale-up and commercialisation of new and existing products.
• Translate product concepts into repeatable, commercially viable manufacturing processes.
• Drive projects through Stage Gate requirements and ensure launches are delivered successfully.
• Support the implementation of new processes and commissioning of new equipment.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing challenges and identify practical improvements to product and process performance.
• Partner closely with Production, QA, Technical, Supply Chain and Commercial teams.
• Communicate confidently with customers and manage NPD requirements through to delivery.
• Ensure products meet technical, specification, food safety and regulatory requirements.

Skills

NPD experience

Factory trials

Autonomous project mgmt

Stakeholder management

Customer exposure

Regulatory knowledge

Education

BSc in Food Science/Technology

Job description

An opportunity for an experienced Food/NPD Technologist to take significant ownership of product commercialisation and process development within a growing Australian food manufacturer in a newly created role.

The Sydney operation is at the centre of a major period of growth across QSR and grocery, bringing new customers, products and investment in manufacturing capability.

Working alongside another Food Technologist, you'll be the key day-to-day NPD presence on site, with your manager based off-site. This creates genuine autonomy and suits someone who is confident making decisions, driving projects forward and working directly with factory and commercial stakeholders.

This is a hands-on, execution-focused NPD role - taking products from approved concept through factory trials, scale-up and successful commercial production.

The Role

You’ll take ownership of NPD and commercialisation activity across the site, including:

• Lead factory trials, scale-up and commercialisation of new and existing products


• Translate product concepts into repeatable, commercially viable manufacturing processes


• Drive projects through Stage Gate requirements and ensure launches are delivered successfully


• Support the implementation of new processes and commissioning of new equipment


• Troubleshoot manufacturing challenges and identify practical improvements to product and process performance


• Partner closely with Production, QA, Technical, Supply Chain and Commercial teams


• Communicate confidently with customers and manage NPD requirements through to delivery


• Ensure products meet relevant technical, specification, food safety and regulatory requirements

The emphasis is on someone who can take ownership and turn development work into successful factory execution.

About You

We’re looking for an experienced Food/NPD Technologist who combines strong technical foundations with the confidence and practical mindset to get things done.

You’ll ideally bring:

• A degree in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline


• Demonstrated NPD or Food Technology experience within food manufacturing


• Strong hands‑on experience across factory trials, scale-up and commercialisation


• Experience implementing manufacturing processes, with exposure to new equipment commissioning highly regarded


• The ability to manage projects autonomously and make sound decisions without constant direction


• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across factory, technical, commercial and customer environments


• Exposure to major grocery, foodservice and/or QSR customers


• Working knowledge of Australian food regulations, product specifications, labelling and allergen requirements


• A practical, solutions‑focused approach and willingness to be highly visible on the factory floor

Desirable, but not essential:

experience within ready-to-eat, chilled, high-care or other short shelf-life manufacturing environments where process control, food safety and shelf life are critical.

Why Join?

Genuine autonomy - become a key NPD presence on site, with the trust and ownership to drive projects and make decisions.

Join during significant growth - increased QSR and grocery activity is creating new products, processes and investment in manufacturing capability.

Broader technical exposure - work beyond traditional product development across commercialisation, process implementation, equipment commissioning and continuous improvement.

Location:

Sydney

Working arrangement:

100% on-site

If you’re a Food or NPD Technologist who enjoys being close to the factory, solving problems and seeing products through to successful commercial production, we’d be keen to hear from you.