Product Developer (12-Month Fixed Contract)

Princess Polly; Hobart; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Meyer Food Co in Australia’s Hobart region is seeking a New Product Development Manager to own the NPD program from brief to launch. You’ll lead the NPD team and align Operations, QA, Planning, Procurement and Sales to deliver products on time.

You’ll drive stage-gate processes, validate products with organoleptic testing, benchmarking and sensory work, and manage cross-functional risks while building an engaged, high-energy team.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in new product development within food manufacturing.
• Leadership of a cross-functional NPD team and launches.
• Experience with stage-gate processes and launches.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Deliver all NPD and EPD projects from brief to launch.
• Lead product design across primal, process, materials, packaging and technology.
• Validate products with sensory, benchmarking and microbial testing.
• Manage cross-functional risks and supplier collaborations.
• Travel interstate to meet clients and present when required.
• Set KPIs and report results to build a high-energy team.

Skills

NPD leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Project management

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Food safety

Education

Tertiary qualifications in food science/related field

Tools

HACCP

GMP

SQF

Job description

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.

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.

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

• 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