Product Developer - Hawthorn East

Coles Group; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Gym access

Free parking

Hybrid work

Job summary

Coles Group is seeking a talented Product Developer to shape Own Brand product ranges from concept through launch. You will work with suppliers and cross-functional teams to turn insights into commercially successful products that meet taste, quality and value standards.

You'll lead projects, analyse market and customer data, and drive ranges that deliver growth and profitability for Coles. Hybrid work options in Melbourne support work‑life balance and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Degree or background in food science, chemistry, microbiology or related field.
• Experience in product development within FMCG, retail or food manufacturing.
• Experience translating insights into product opportunities.
• Strong stakeholder collaboration and project leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver strategic product plans aligned to Own Brand objectives.
• Analyse sales and customer data to identify opportunities and drive decisions.
• Lead product development projects from concept to launch with timelines and goals.
• Collaborate with internal teams and suppliers to deliver innovative products.
• Present recommendations to leadership and tasting panels.
• Monitor performance and iterate ranges based on feedback and trends.

Skills

Product development

FMCG industry

Retail

Food manufacturing

Analytical mindset

Education

Food Science

Chemistry

Microbiology

Related field

Job description

We’ve been proudly serving Australian communities since 1914 and have grown to become a top 30-listed company on the ASX with a portfolio of iconic homegrown brands. At the heart of our continued success is over 115,000 team members working across the country, all contributing to bringing our customers smiles. You’ll not only get to see your work make a difference, you’ll be part of a team working together to help Australians eat and live better every day.

About the team

From baby food to coffee blends, our team members use their passion and innovative thinking to develop and deliver Coles’ own brands of quality products and best value solutions for our customers.

About the role

At Coles, we're passionate about creating innovative Own Brand products that delight our customers and deliver outstanding commercial outcomes. As a Product Developer, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping category strategies, developing market-leading products, and bringing innovative ideas to life from concept through to launch. Working closely with suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders, you'll help build award-winning ranges that meet customer needs while driving growth and profitability.

Reporting to the Packaged Development Manager, you'll be responsible for developing and delivering commercially focused product plans, identifying innovation opportunities, and ensuring products meet our standards for taste, quality, value and performance. You'll leverage customer, commercial and market insights to influence decision-making and deliver successful product outcomes.

You’ll also:

• Develop and deliver strategic product plans that align with category and Own Brand objectives.
• Analyse commercial, sales, volume and customer insights data to identify opportunities and drive informed decisions.
• Lead product development projects from concept through to launch, ensuring delivery against timelines and business objectives.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers to deliver innovative, customer‑centric products.
• Influence and engage stakeholders across Merchandise, Marketing, Quality, suppliers and broader business teams.
• Present products and recommendations confidently to a variety of audiences, including leadership forums and tasting panels.
• Monitor product performance and continuously improve ranges based on customer feedback, market trends and commercial results.

About you and your skills

We're looking for a naturally curious and commercially minded Product Developer who loves understanding how things work and isn't afraid to challenge the status quo. You're someone who enjoys pulling things apart, finding opportunities for improvement, and putting them back together better than before. You combine creativity with analytical thinking, using insights and data to identify opportunities and influence outcomes. A self‑starter with strong initiative, you're comfortable leading projects, building relationships across diverse stakeholder groups, and bringing people on the journey to achieve great results.

You’ll also bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Food Science, Science, Microbiology, Chemistry or a related field will be highly regarded.
• Proven experience within Product Development, FMCG, retail, food manufacturing or a similar environment.
• Experience analysing commercial, customer and insights data and translating findings into action.
• Proven ability to lead projects and influence stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Strong commercial acumen and an understanding of what drives product performance.
• A curious mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated initiative and a proactive approach to identifying opportunities.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and relationship‑building skills.

#LI-ZH1

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work‑life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini‑Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in‑store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job‑specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre‑tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email [e-mail]