Principle Technologist-Dairy

Goodman Fielder; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodman Fielder in New Zealand is seeking a Principal Technologist to provide technical leadership across Cream Cheese, Cultured Dairy and UHT Whipping Cream. You will own complex innovation, renovation and commercialization projects ensuring safe, compliant and commercially successful dairy products.

This role requires strong dairy formulation expertise, cross-functional leadership and a track record in scale-up and manufacturing support.

Qualifications

• Experience in Dairy product development with Cream Cheese, Cultured Dairy and UHT Whipping Cream.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional innovation projects from concept to delivery.
• Export experience; fluency in SE Asian or Mandarin language beneficial.
• Masters or PhD in a related subject preferred.

Responsibilities

• Innovation & Product Development – Lead innovation projects from concept to launch including product design, formulation, trials, technical validation, and launch readiness
• Technical Leadership – Be the subject matter expert for Whipping Cream and Culture Dairy (Cream Cheese) across the business
• Commercialization – Lead pilot plant and factory trials, support scale-up, & assess technical risk for mass production, and market support
• Capability Building – Coach and mentor the wider team of Technologists and Technicians, share best practices, contribute to training, and strengthen capability across Dairy R&D
• Technical Customer Engagement – Lead technical communication and engagement with both internal teams (Marketing, Sales, Regulatory, and Quality) and external key customers.

Skills

Dairy formulation

Scale-up

Manufacturing support

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Masters/PhD in Food Science

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

At Goodman Fielder our purpose is simple. It's about making everyday food better for everyone.

We are a leading global food company, and the custodian of a host of iconic Kiwi brands like Meadow Fresh, Puhoi Valley, Molenberg, Natures Fresh and Freya's that generations of New Zealanders have grown up with and put in their supermarket trolleys every week. Goodman Fielder also has a growing presence in Asia, especially Meadow Fresh dairy products.

We are looking to appoint a Principal Technologist to provide technical leadership across – Cream Cheese, Cultured Dairy & UHT Whipping Cream.

You will have ownership for leading complex innovation, renovation, and commercialization projects in the delivery of safe, compliant and commercially successful dairy products.

About the job

At Goodman Fielder our purpose is simple. It's about making everyday food better for everyone.

We are a leading global food company, and the custodian of a host of iconic Kiwi brands like Meadow Fresh, Puhoi Valley, Molenberg, Natures Fresh and Freya's that generations of New Zealanders have grown up with and put in their supermarket trolleys every week. Goodman Fielder also has a growing presence in Asia, especially Meadow Fresh dairy products.

Our Opportunity

We are looking to appoint a Principal Technologist to provide technical leadership across – Cream Cheese, Cultured Dairy & UHT Whipping Cream.

You will have ownership for leading complex innovation, renovation, and commercialization projects in the delivery of safe, compliant and commercially successful dairy products.

Your responsibilities will include

• Innovation & Product Development – Lead innovation projects from concept to launch including product design, formulation, trials, technical validation, and launch readiness
• Technical Leadership – Be the subject matter expert for Whipping Cream and Culture Dairy (Cream Cheese) across the business
• Commercialization – Lead pilot plant and factory trials, support scale-up, & assess technical risk for mass production, and market support
• Capability Building – Coach and mentor the wider team of Technologists and Technicians, share best practices, contribute to training, and strengthen capability across Dairy R&D
• Technical Customer Engagement – Lead technical communication and engagement with both internal teams (Marketing, Sales, Regulatory, and Quality) and external key customers.

About you

To make this role a success we are looking for a very experienced Technologist that has success in Dairy product development, preferably specializing in Cream Cheese, Cultured dairy products, and UHT Whipping Cream.

Other key skills or experiences we are looking for in your application, include:

• Strong technical expertise in dairy formulation, ingredients, processing technologies, scale-up, and manufacturing support
• The proven ability to lead and deliver complex cross-functional innovation projects from concept through to delivery
• Masters or PhD in Food Technology/Science, Dairy Science or related subject is preferred
• Due to the export nature of many of our products fluency in a South East Asian or Mandarin language would be beneficial

Preferably Auckland-based, but open to discussion

What we offer

You will be joining a driven team of professionals who genuinely enjoy working together in a highly collaborative and flexible work environment. In return for your passion and success, you will receive a competitive remuneration package and support to achieve professional growth and development.

At Goodman Fielder, we aim to be NZ's Employer of Choice where we don't just offer jobs - we offer long-term careers filled with opportunities for personal growth.

• At Goodman Fielder, we strongly believe in diversity and inclusion in everything we do. If you require any support throughout your application process, we encourage you to get in touch to let us know. We encourage applications from people of all abilities, cultures and gender identities. If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact us, via ***email_hidden***