Food Technologist: Innovation & Quality in Seafood

Moana; Palmerston North; Hybrid; NZD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Moana New Zealand is seeking a practical and proactive Food Technologist to join our Product Development team in Palmerston North on a fixed-term basis. You will contribute to new product development, product improvement initiatives, and technical projects across our Pāua Tuwa and Kai Ora operations.

You will hold a Bachelor of Technology (Food) or related qualification with at least two years’ commercial and technical experience in a food manufacturing or FMCG environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Technology (Food) or related tertiary qualification.
• At least two years’ commercial and technical experience within a food manufacturing or FMCG environment.
• Proactive and well‑organised with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships across all levels of the business.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to new product development projects, factory trials, and successful commercialisation of new products.
• Develop and review HACCP plans and ensure quality systems meet regulatory and customer requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve products, packaging, and manufacturing processes.
• Assist with validation and ongoing verification of thermal processes, including heat penetration studies and accurate record keeping.
• Manage technical requirements relating to ingredients, raw materials, allergens, and Halal compliance.
• Conduct specification reviews and support quality assurance activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across product development and manufacturing operations.

Skills

HACCP

Thermal processing

Food manufacturing

Quality assurance

Documentation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor of Technology (Food)

Job description

Moana New Zealand is seeking a practical and proactive Food Technologist to join our Product Development team in Palmerston North on a fixed-term basis. You will contribute to new product development, product improvement initiatives, and technical projects across our Pāua Tuwa and Kai Ora operations.

You will hold a Bachelor of Technology (Food) or related qualification with at least two years’ commercial and technical experience in a food manufacturing or FMCG environment.