Product Development Manager

Vetafarm; Wagga Wagga; Vor Ort; AUD 150.000 - 190.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Vetafarm, based in Australia, seeks a senior Product Development Manager to lead next-stage innovation and product development. You will guide a small team of Technical Product Specialists from concept through trials, scale-up, and launch, shaping direction with the Director and cross-functional partners.

The role focuses on turning market opportunities and scientific insights into high-quality products with strong customer acceptance and long-term success.

Qualifikationen

• Senior product development professional with a track record in translating market opportunities into commercially successful products.
• Strong leadership ability to mentor and guide a team through concept, trials, scale-up and product launch.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills to interpret data for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience in pet care, animal nutrition or nutraceutical-like products is desirable.

Aufgaben

• Lead a prioritised product development pipeline for new products, reformulations and technical improvements.
• Collaborate with the Director and leadership team to define strategy and development direction.
• Oversee research, formulation, ingredient evaluation, prototype development and documentation.
• Manage trials, scale-up, production readiness, packaging compatibility and launch handovers.
• Develop and strengthen evidence, quality and usability across the Vetafarm range.

Jobbeschreibung

Vetafarm is Australia’s leading innovator and manufacturer of specialised animal health and welfare products. For more than 30 years, we have developed trusted health, nutrition and care solutions for companion birds, reptiles, small animals, wildlife, horses, cats and dogs. Everything we do is grounded in science, backed by experience, and driven by a genuine commitment to animal wellbeing.

Founded in Wagga Wagga in 1990, Vetafarm proudly distributes its products across Australia and to more than 30 countries worldwide.

Our people are at the heart of our success. We are proud of our collaborative, values-driven culture and were recognised as a 5-Star Employer of Choice by HRD Australia in 2026.

We are seeking a Product Development Manager to lead the next stage of Vetafarm's innovation and product development capability.

The Role

This is a senior opportunity for a technical, commercially aware leader who can help shape product development direction, new ideas and improvements, and ensure each product reaches market in the best possible state for customer acceptance and long-term success.

Working closely with the Director, you will help turn market opportunity, customer need, scientific insight and Vetafarm's specialist expertise into products that genuinely make a difference.

You will lead a small team of Technical Product Specialists and guide the development process from concept, research and formulation through trials, scale-up, product readiness, launch and post-launch improvement.

You will have the scope to develop new product platforms, improve existing products, solve important technical problems and strengthen the evidence, quality and usability of the Vetafarm range.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a clear, prioritised product development pipeline encompassing new products, reformulations, renovations and technical improvements.
• Collaborate with the Director and wider leadership team to define and execute product strategy and development direction.
• Oversee research, formulation, ingredient evaluation, prototype development, specifications, validation activities and product documentation.
• Manage product trials, factory scale-up, quality and production readiness, packaging compatibility and launch handover processes.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team of Technical Product Specialists, setting priorities and building capabilities.
• Drive product development governance, including critical path management, stage gates, technical sign-offs, risk management and post-launch reviews.

About You

• An experienced product development, R&D, formulation or technical professional with a background in pet care, animal nutrition, feed, food, supplements, nutraceuticals, animal health, or a similarly complex manufacturing environment.
• A commercially minded thinker who understands how to balance customer needs, product performance, safety, manufacturability and market success.
• Proven experience delivering new product development projects from concept through to commercial launch.
• Strong technical expertise in formulation, nutrition, food science, ingredient functionality or technical product design.
• Hands-on experience with pilot and factory trials, scale-up activities, manufacturing transfer, shelf-life programs, packaging development and quality systems.
• A confident leader with experience coaching, mentoring and developing technical specialists.
• A collaborative professional who builds strong relationships with multiple teams to bring together expertise from across the business to turn ideas into successful products.
• Able to combine scientific rigour with a practical, solutions-focused approach to product development.
• Naturally curious with sound judgement and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interpret technical data and translate complex information clearly to commercial and non-technical stakeholders.
• Passionate about creating trusted, high-performing products that customers value and return to time and again.
• Aligned with Vetafarm’s values of Ethics, Quality, Understanding, Innovation and Passion.

If you’re excited by the opportunity to make a visible impact while working closely with the people, products and operations that bring Vetafarm's ideas to life, we’d love to hear from you!

Vetafarm will require the successful applicant to undertake a pre-employment medical including drug and alcohol screening.

Vetafarm is an Equal Opportunity Employer.