R&D Technologist

The Cake Syndicate Pty Ltd; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kinrise in Melbourne is seeking a Food Technologist to lead end-to-end product development from concept to launch across branded, private label and corporate portfolios. You will prototype recipes, assess feasibility, and manage trials for scale-up with cross-functional teams.

You will develop nutrition panels and ingredient lists in line with FSANZ rules, source innovative ingredients, and drive cost optimisation and value engineering. A strong bakery background is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science or related discipline.
• Minimum 3+ years of product development experience within FMCG manufacturing.
• Bakery experience is highly regarded.
• Scale-up knowledge for industrial production.
• Experience with PIFs and labeling systems.
• FSANZ regulatory knowledge and labeling compliance.
• Strong costing, BOM management and ingredient optimisation.
• Excellent organisational skills and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end technical development from concept to launch.
• Prototype recipes aligned to briefs, nutrition targets and cost constraints.
• Assess feasibility of briefs and provide stakeholder feedback.
• Plan and lead kitchen, pilot and factory trials for scale-up.
• Collaborate with Production, Procurement, QA and Commercial teams.
• Manage formulations, BOMs, batch sheets and labeling paperwork.
• Ensure FSANZ compliance and nutrition panels.
• Source innovative ingredients and drive value engineering.
• Lead cross-functional project timelines using Stage-Gate.
• Drive cost optimisation and shelf-life testing initiatives.

Skills

Product development

Cross-functional collaboration

FSANZ knowledge

Costing & BOM

Regulatory compliance

Attention to detail

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Food Science or related discipline

Tools

FoodWorks

Coles Fusion

WW Sphere

Job description

Kinrise is a growing, privately owned powerhouse in Australian food manufacturing with some of Australia’s most loved and innovative brands. We describe ourselves as a ‘start up with scale’ and have a burning ambition to grow our business. Formed in 2018 the Kinrise portfolio covers Biscuits, Breakfast, Baking, Bakery, and Snackfood categories and has 40+ years making iconic Australian food, with a rich Australian heritage that’s grounded in family origins. Role type: Maximum term (parental leave replacement) up to 10 months. In our R&D Technologist role, you will help develop new products and improve existing products for quality and cost savings across the Branded, Private Label and Corporate portfolios.

What You Will Do

• Concept to Launch: Lead end-to-end technical development of new and existing products from concept to commercialisation.
• Recipe Development: Prototype and formulate recipes aligned to NPD briefs, nutrition targets, claims, and cost constraints.
• Feasibility Assessments: Evaluate incoming product briefs for technical feasibility and provide constructive stakeholder feedback.
• Trial Management: Plan, coordinate, and lead kitchen, pilot, and factory trials to support product scale-up.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Production, Procurement, QA, and Commercial teams for successful launches.
• Technical Documentation: Manage formulations, specifications, Bills of Materials (BOMs, SAP), batch sheets, and labelling compliance.
• Regulatory Compliance: Develop nutritional panels, ingredient lists, and artwork in strict accordance with FSANZ regulations.
• Ingredient Innovation: Source and evaluate new functional ingredients and suppliers to drive innovation.
• Project Management: Lead cross-functional timelines using a Stage-Gate framework to deliver projects on time.
• Optimisation & Value: Drive continuous improvement, shelf-life testing, cost-optimisation, and value engineering initiatives.

What We Are Looking For

• Education: Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum 3+ years of product development experience within FMCG manufacturing.
• Bakery Expertise: Prior experience in bakery is highly regarded.
• Scale-Up Knowledge: Proven understanding of product formulation, industrial scale-up, and commercial manufacturing.
• Software Skills: Proficiency in creating Product Information Forms (PIFs) and using FoodWorks or similar labelling software, Coles Fusion, WW Sphere, and related systems.
• Regulatory Acumen: Strong working knowledge of FSANZ food standards and labelling requirements.
• Trend Awareness: Deep passion for food, nutrition, and trends such as high-protein, low-sugar, and functional ingredients.
• Commercial Mindset: Solid financial acumen with experience managing recipe costings and ingredient value optimisation.
• Soft Skills: Highly organised, agile multi-tasker with exceptional stakeholder management, proactive communication skills, and strong attention to detail.
• Most importantly, you are a real team player who is as passionate as we are at bringing deliciousness to life!

Why Join Us?

Kinrise is a fast paced, agile business that focuses on your talents and challenges you to perform at your best. An opportunity with us would mean: An opportunity to work with leading Australian-made brands and products An exciting role in a growing business with a great history and an ambitious growth agenda Supportive and collaborative team culture Kinrise is committed to creating an environment that welcomes all, celebrates our diversity in all its forms and fosters an environment of inclusion. We recognise that our unique differences are what sets us apart and how we succeed as a team. We are an equal opportunity employer. Kinrise is proudly Australian, family-owned food company on a bold growth journey, creating moments of joy through food Australians know and love. Our promise to our people is Reach for More. It means being part of a team with the courage to aim high, roll up its sleeves and have each other's backs. Here, your ideas make an impact, your effort gets noticed and your growth comes through real opportunities. We’re just getting started. If you love a challenge, you’ll love working at Kinrise.