Product Development Lead

Miller Leith; Canterbury-Bankstown; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Miller Leith is seeking a Product Development Lead to own the end-to-end NPD program for major retailers from concept through to launch at their Canterbury-Bankstown HQ.

You will lead a small team, ensure food safety compliance with HACCP, FSANZ and SQF, and coordinate trials, documentation and stakeholder communications to deliver innovative, cost-conscious products that meet customer standards and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience managing end-to-end NPD for major retailers.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, FSANZ and SQF.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement with customers and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Own the product development and innovation strategy.
• Lead end-to-end NPD from concept to launch.
• Drive trials, production readiness, and post-launch reviews.
• Build strong regulatory documentation.

Skills

NPD leadership

Food / FMCG

Stakeholder management

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Job description

• Manage the end to end NPD program for major retailers, lead a team of 2
• Experience in Food/ FMCG delivered to the multiples is essential
• Join a business on a tremedous growth trajectory

About the business

The business is a major player in the FMCG space delivering short shelf life products to the major retailers. Operating from their purpose built Manufacturing HQ near bankstown the business is seeking a Product Development Lead reporting to their new Head of Marketing & Brand.

About the role

Working closely with the major retailers the NPD Lead will own the product development and innovation strategy including project timelines, product specifications, trial planning, documentation, and stakeholder communication whilst ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, regulatory, and customer standards. Specifically you will lead:

Product Innovation & Strategy/ NPD

• Own the innovation pipeline, identifying market, customer and category opportunities; turning insights into commercially compelling product concepts that drive growth and differentiation, developing and presenting business cases to senior leadership.
• Lead end-to-end NDP from concept to commercial launch, prioritising projects, resources and timelines to deliver quality outcomes on time and within budget.
• Champion robust stage-gate processes, manage workloads and proactively manage development risks within your team.

Commercialisation & Manufacturing Readiness

• Drive successful product commercialisation and transition into production; partnering with Operations and Supply Chain to deliver manufacturing-ready products.
• Lead trials, first production runs and post‑launch reviews, with a focus on quality, yield and cost.

Technical & Regulatory Leadership

• Oversee formulation, specifications, approvals and technical documentation; ensuring products meet food safety, quality, regulatory, nutritional, allergen and labelling requirements.
• Build strong relationships across customers, suppliers and internal teams leading customer development projects and technical presentations.

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Lead, coach and develop the Product Development team (building capability & optimising performance) whilst fostering a high-performing culture built on innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Continuously improve NPD processes, systems and governance.
• Identify opportunities to reduce cost and waste while improving sustainability.

About you

You are an NPD Leader/ Senior Technologist with a depth of experience within a Food/ FMCG manufacturing environment handling end to end development and customer interface. You have worked closely with the major retailers and be able to evidence numerous product releases. You have highly refined understanding of HACCP, FSANZ, SQF and polished stakeholder engagement skills both externally and with key internal stakeholders. You have a passion for product excellence and team development.

Salary + super commensurate to experience