Product Development Lead

Miller Leith; Canterbury-Bankstown; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Miller Leith is seeking an NPD Lead to manage end-to-end product development for major retailers in the FMCG sector. The role involves ownership of the innovation pipeline, strategy, and ensuring regulatory compliance across HACCP, FSANZ and SQF.

You will lead a small team and collaborates with Operations and Supply Chain to launch manufacturing-ready products. Based at their manufacturing HQ near Bankstown, the role offers growth in a high-velocity environment with a focus on cost efficiency,

Qualifications

• NPD leadership experience in Food/FMCG manufacturing.
• Experience delivering to major retailers.
• Strong HACCP/FSANZ/SQF knowledge.
• Proven stakeholder engagement with internal and external teams.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end NPD from concept to commercial launch, prioritising projects and timelines.
• Lead trials, first production runs and post-launch reviews focusing on quality and cost.
• Drive product commercialisation in production, partnering with Operations and Supply Chain.
• Oversee formulation, specifications, approvals and technical documentation for compliance.

Skills

NPD leadership

Food industry experience

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Regulatory knowledge

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 NPD 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.
• 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.

• 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

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 NPD 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