Product Technologist - Fresh Produce

Coles Group Pty Ltd; Australia; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gym facility

Free parking

BBQ area

Mini-Coles supermarket

Fooderie hub sample products

Job summary

Coles Group Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced Product Technologist to lead the technical management of a Fresh Produce category, ensuring strong quality, food safety and compliance outcomes. You’ll work with suppliers and cross-functional teams to improve product performance and manage technical risks across the supply chain, with autonomy to influence decisions.

You will own technical management from supplier to customer, drive quality, food safety and lifecycle compliance, lead root cause

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Food Science, Microbiology, Nutrition, Food Technology, Chemistry or a related field.
• Fresh Produce experience in FMCG, manufacturing, retail or supplier environments.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, regulatory requirements, quality systems and product specifications.
• Experience partnering with suppliers and applying root cause analysis, risk assessment and technical problem-solving.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, project leadership, planning and prioritisation skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical management of your Fresh Produce category from supplier through to customer.
• Drive product quality, food safety and compliance across the product lifecycle.
• Lead investigations, root cause analysis and risk assessments for quality and food safety issues.
• Partner with suppliers to improve performance, compliance, innovation and product quality.
• Use data and insights to identify trends, risks and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate across our teams to deliver category product plans and strategic priorities.

Skills

Fresh Produce experience

Food safety knowledge

Supplier collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Project leadership

Education

Tertiary qualification in Food Science/Microbiology/Nutrition/Food Technology/Chemistry

Job description

We’ve been proudly serving Australian communities since 1914 and have grown to become a top 30-listed company on the ASX with a portfolio of iconic homegrown brands. At the heart of our continued success is over 115,000 team members working across the country, all contributing to bringing our customers smiles. You’ll not only get to see your work make a difference, you’ll be part of a team working together to help Australians eat and live better every day.

About the team

From baby food to coffee blends, our team members use their passion and innovative thinking to develop and deliver Coles’ own brands of quality products and best value solutions for our customers.

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced Product Technologist to lead the technical management of a Fresh Produce category, ensuring strong quality, food safety and compliance outcomes. You’ll work closely with suppliers and teams across merchandising, quality and commercial to improve product performance and manage technical risks across the supply chain. With plenty of autonomy, you’ll influence decisions and help deliver fresh products our customers know and trust.

You will also:

• Own the technical management of your Fresh Produce category from supplier through to customer.
• Drive product quality, food safety and compliance across the product lifecycle.
• Lead investigations, root cause analysis and risk assessments for quality and food safety issues.
• Partner with suppliers to improve performance, compliance, innovation and product quality.
• Use data and insights to identify trends, risks and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate across our teams to deliver category product plans and strategic priorities.

About you and your skills

You’re a technically strong food industry professional who enjoys taking ownership, solving complex problems and building trusted relationships with suppliers and stakeholders. You’ll bring Fresh Produce experience, sound technical judgement and the ability to balance customer, quality and commercial priorities in a fast-paced environment.

You will have:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Food Science, Microbiology, Nutrition, Food Technology, Chemistry or a related field.
• Fresh Produce experience, with experience in FMCG, manufacturing, retail or supplier environments.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, regulatory requirements, quality systems and product specifications.
• Experience partnering with suppliers and applying root cause analysis, risk assessment and technical problem-solving.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, project leadership, planning and prioritisation skills.

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job‑specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre‑tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email [e-mail]