Process Development Technologist

Hellers Nz'S Butcher; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid birthday leave

Employee benefits

Hands-on role with influence

Job summary

Hellers is seeking a hands-on specialist to join our Kaiapoi site, working with production teams to translate ideas into practical improvements on the factory floor. You’ll support trials from formulation through scale‑up and focus on efficiency, waste reduction and cost savings.

The role requires 5+ years in FMCG/food manufacturing, meat or small goods experience, and a degree in Food Science or related. Strong Excel/data analysis and collaboration on cross-functional projects are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in FMCG or food manufacturing.
• Meat or small goods experience is advantageous.
• Experience in food technology or product development strongly preferred, otherwise process engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Support product development, reformulation and scale-up trials from bench-top to production.
• Trial and optimise manufacturing processes, equipment settings and production methods.
• Collect and analyse process data using Excel to assess trial performance and identify opportunities.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through reformulation, waste reduction and process improvements.
• Work alongside production teams to troubleshoot issues and improve line performance.
• Conduct sensory and quality checks against product specifications.
• Support continuous improvement projects across manufacturing.
• Liaise with Product Development, QA and Engineering on trials and process improvements.
• Maintain accurate trial records, batch sheets, protocols and SOPs.
• Support shelf-life, stability and packaging compatibility studies as required.

Skills

Analytical skills

Hands-on

Data analysis

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Food Science/related

Tools

Excel

Job description

This role is posted by TRS on behalf of Hellers. We are handling all applications for this role.

Join Hellers

Hellers is a well-established New Zealand food manufacturer with a strong focus on producing quality products efficiently and continuously improving the way it operates.

This is an opportunity to work closely with teams across the business and play a hands-on role in turning ideas into practical improvements on the factory floor. You’ll be a valuable team member, tasked with identifying better ways of doing things, improving manufacturing processes and contributing to product development.

About the Role

Based at the site in Kaiapoi, and reporting to the Operations & Improvement Manager, you’ll sit at the intersection of product development, manufacturing and continuous improvement. You’ll support trials from initial formulation through to full-scale production, while also looking at how processes, equipment and production methods can be improved.

This is a hands-on position. You’ll spend significant time on the factory floor working alongside production teams, setting up trials, monitoring equipment, troubleshooting issues and using data to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support product development, reformulation and scale-up trials from bench-top through to production
• Trial and optimise manufacturing processes, equipment settings and production methods
• Collect and analyse process data using Excel to assess trial performance and identify opportunities
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through reformulation, waste reduction and process improvements
• Work alongside production teams to troubleshoot issues and improve line performance
• Conduct sensory and quality checks against product specifications
• Support continuous improvement projects across manufacturing
• Liaise with Product Development, QA and Engineering on trials, equipment and process improvements
• Maintain accurate trial records, batch sheets, protocols and SOPs
• Support shelf-life, stability and packaging compatibility studies as required

About You

We’re looking for someone with a great attitude, excellent communication across all levels of the business, and ideally with a product development background. You will enjoy working hands-on and be self‑driven with a genuine interest in identifying areas for improvement.

This role would be best suited to someone with a Product Development background in the meat / small goods industry.

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• 5+ years’ experience working in an FMCG or food manufacturing environment.
• Meat or small goods experience is highly advantageous.
• Experience in food technology or product development strongly preferred, otherwise process engineering or a related field.
• A degree in Food Science, Biology, Process Engineering or a related (preferred).
• Meat processing experience advantageous.
• Strong analytical skills and confidence using Excel and process data.
• A practical, hands-on approach to trials and problem‑solving.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• A genuine interest in continuous improvement and finding better ways of working.
• Comfortable working onsite in a meat processing environment.
• Ability to build relationships on the factory floor and communicate effectively with people across different areas of the business.
• Driven personality, keen to learn.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary depending on experience
• Paid birthday leave and a range of other employee benefits
• A hands-on role with genuine influence over manufacturing and product development
• The opportunity to work across Product Development, Production, QA and Engineering