Product Technologist

Nestlé; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus program

KitKat Days

Personalised development

Wellbeing benefits (flu shots, health)

Purchased Leave

Volunteering Leave

Sports Leave

Emergency Services Leave

Parental Leave (up to 18 weeks)

Novated leasing

Job summary

Nestlé Australia in Rhodes, Sydney, is seeking a Technologist to join the Nutrition & Health team. You will manage product development projects, coordinate trials and deliver commercially viable products that meet consumer needs while upholding Nestlé standards.

You will also serve as the Thermal Process Specialist, lead cross‑functional projects, collaborate with global technical teams, and travel as required to sites to ensure quality and manufacturing performance.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science and Technology or related discipline.
• Broad experience in product development and project management in FMCG.
• Exposure to food manufacturing processes and pilot-plant trials.
• Knowledge of food hygiene, HACCP and GMP.
• Understanding FSANZ and other food regulations.
• Technical experience in thermal processing.
• Sensory evaluation experience and understanding consumer requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence stakeholders.
• Confident written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Understanding of procurement, supply-chain and manufacturing operations.
• Familiarity with SAP, I2L or similar systems.
• Collaborative, proactive, results-focused with travel flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage product development projects from concept to commercialisation.
• Coordinate trials, pilot plant work and feasibility studies.
• Partner with marketing, procurement, supply chain, regulatory, engineering and manufacturing.
• Work with contract manufacturers and Nestlé factories to deliver projects.
• Ensure solutions are cost-effective and meet safety and quality standards.
• Lead Inter-Market Supply and Nestrade projects per business plans and regulatory requirements.
• Develop clear manufacturing instructions for co-packing and co-manufacturing.
• Identify and lead product improvement and value-optimisation initiatives.
• Act as thermal processing subject-matter expert and maintain knowledge networks.

Skills

Project management

Product development

Thermal processing

HACCP

GMP

FSANZ knowledge

SAP

I2L

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Food Science and Technology degree

Tools

SAP

I2L

Job description

Position Snapshot

Location: Rhodes, Sydney

Duration: Full time, permanent

5+ years’ experience relevant to this role

Position Summary

Joining Nestlé means you are joining the largest Food and Beverage Company in the world. Nestlé Health & Nutrition brings together our trusted health, nutrition and wellness portfolio under one purpose: to enhance quality of life and contribute to a healthier future. Through science, innovation and a deep understanding of consumer needs, we’re helping people live healthier lives at every stage of life.

As a Technologist in our Nutrition & Health team, you will manage the execution of product development projects and initiatives aligned with the business roadmap. You will coordinate trials, solve technical challenges and help deliver commercially viable products that meet consumer needs. You will also serve as the Thermal Process Specialist for the market, building technical capability and connecting the business with global expertise and best practice.

A day in the life…

Reporting to the Business Applications Manager and ensuring Nestlé standards and procedures relating to quality, safety, competitiveness and profitability are maintained, other key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and introduce new products in response to marketing briefs, including feasibility studies, trial material preparation, pilot plant work, factory trials, commissioning and results evaluation.
• Project-manage product development, product introduction and cost-optimisation initiatives through to commercialisation.
• Partner with marketing, procurement, supply chain, regulatory, engineering, quality and manufacturing stakeholders.
• Work closely with contract manufacturers and local and international Nestlé factories to deliver projects effectively.
• Ensure product solutions are cost-effective and aligned with manufacturing performance, food safety, quality and consumer requirements.
• Execute Inter-Market Supply and Nestrade projects in line with business plans, Nestlé policies, regulatory requirements and relevant import permits.
• Develop and maintain clear manufacturing instructions and specifications for co-packing and co-manufacturing projects.
• Identify, participate in and lead troubleshooting, product improvement, raw-material and recipe value-optimisation initiatives.
• Act as the market’s subject-matter expert in thermal processing, maintaining technical knowledge, networks and capability across the business.
• Contribute to compliance with health, safety, environmental, food safety and quality systems, policies and procedures.
• Work flexibly with factory stakeholders across different locations and time zones, with some travel required.

What Will Make You Successful

Joining a collaborative team of specialists, you are a practical and curious food technologist who enjoys translating ideas into safe, high-quality and commercially viable products.

• Degree in Food Science and Technology or a related discipline.
• Broad experience in product development and project management within an FMCG environment.
• Exposure to food manufacturing processes and the delivery of factory or pilot-plant trials.
• Knowledge of food hygiene, HACCP and GMP requirements.
• A strong understanding of FSANZ and other relevant food regulations.
• Technical experience in thermal processing or the ability to develop specialist capability in this area.
• Experience in sensory evaluation and an understanding of consumer and customer requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Confident written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• An understanding of procurement, supply-chain and manufacturing operations.
• Familiarity with SAP, I2L or similar product-development and business systems.
• A collaborative, proactive and results-focused approach, with the flexibility to participate in calls across different time zones and travel when required.

Applicants must have full Australian working rights

Applicants will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, including but not limited to health checks, prior to appointment to this role.

Please note that this role may close earlier than the advertised deadline at our discretion, so we encourage early applications.

Benefits

You will have the chance to work with an outstanding and highly engaged team, build and grow your career with an inclusive, global FMCG leader.

In addition, we offer:

• Competitive salary and attractive bonus program
• Up to five KitKat Days each year to rest, recharge and support your wellbeing
• Personalised development and varied career opportunities
• Wellbeing benefits, including free flu vaccinations, discounted private health insurance and discounted gym memberships
• Access to Purchased Leave, Volunteering Leave, Sports Leave and Emergency Services Leave
• Up to 18 weeks paid parental leave
• Novated leasing options

Our Story

• Nestlé enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s largest FMCG companies and a leader in nutrition, health and wellness. Our inclusive and high-performance culture is a testament to the great training, development, rewards and recognition we extend to every member of our 5000-strong Oceania workforce.
• Nestlé Oceania supports a culture of diversity and inclusion in all that we do. Take a look at Careers at Nestlé Australia | Nestlé Australia (nestle.com.au) to see some of the ways we live and practice this every day in our workplace.
• For more information please visit our website Nestlé Australia Home | Nestlé Australia (nestle.com.au) or Our LinkedIn page http://www.linkedin.com/company/nestle-s-a-