Product Technologist

Nestlé S.A.; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KitKat Days

Wellbeing benefits

Parental leave up to 18 weeks

Personal development opportunities

Private health insurance discounts

Leave options (Purchased, Volunteering

Sports Leave

Novated leasing

Job summary

Nestlé S.A. is seeking an experienced Technologist to oversee product development initiatives in the Nutrition & Health team.

You will coordinate trials, address technical challenges and drive commercially viable products, while serving as the Thermal Process Specialist for the market. Reporting to the Business Applications Manager, you will collaborate with marketing, procurement, supply chain, regulatory, engineering and manufacturing teams across locations, ensuring quality, safety and

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science and Technology or related discipline.
• Broad experience in product development and project management within FMCG.
• Exposure to food manufacturing processes and trials.
• Knowledge of food hygiene, HACCP and GMP.
• Understanding FSANZ and food regulations.
• Thermal processing expertise or capability development.
• Experience in sensory evaluation and consumer/customer requirements.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; procurement and supply-chain awareness.
• Familiarity with SAP, I2L or similar systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and introduce products in response to briefs, including feasibility, trials and evaluation.
• Project-manage product development and cost-optimisation through to commercialisation.
• Collaborate with marketing, procurement, supply chain, regulatory, engineering and quality teams.
• Coordinate with contract manufacturers and Nestlé factories globally.
• Ensure solutions are cost-effective and meet safety and quality standards.
• Lead Inter-Market Supply and Nestrade projects aligned with policies and permits.
• Create and maintain manufacturing instructions for co-packing and co-manufacturing.
• Lead troubleshooting and value-optimisation initiatives; act as thermal processing SME.
• Contribute to health, safety, environmental and quality systems compliance.
• Travel as required; work across time zones with factory stakeholders.

Skills

FMCG product development

Project management

Thermal processing

FSANZ compliance

SAP experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Food safety & quality

Strong communication

Regulatory awareness

Education

Degree in Food Science and Technology

Tools

I2L

SAP

Job description

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.

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.