R&D Process Technologist

JobSpace; Hastings; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Hastings, NZ, is seeking an R&D Process Technologist to join our New Zealand R&D team. Based in Hastings, you will contribute to process development, value creation and ESG initiatives while collaborating with global engineering groups.

The role requires 1–3 years in R&D within the food industry, strong data analysis, and hands-on experience with process steps and equipment. This is a permanent, full-time position offering growth in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years experience in an R&D role in the food industry.
• Process improvement and process development experience within food manufacturing.
• Familiarity with manufacturing and pilot plant environments.
• Understanding of key food manufacturing process steps: ingredient prep, blending, thermal processing, packaging.
• Proficient with Excel, Word, PowerPoint and project management tools.
• Ability to pull data and analyse trends in relation to process and food.
• Experience across production systems including SAP, BPCS and Agile.
• Understanding FSANZ Food Standards code and food labelling requirements.
• Knowledge of product development cycle including consumer insight interpretation, ideation to concept development, technical feasibility, factory implementation and product launch.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrable problem solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide support in CAPEX scoping and CAPEX commissioning.
• Support continuous improvement projects that require R&D process technical support.
• Create a pipeline of process engineering enabled value creation opportunities aligned to company and cluster strategies.
• Collaborate with Kraft Heinz international process engineering groups and external partners to deploy solutions locally.
• Demonstrate project management best practice to deliver projects with executional excellence (objectives, feasibilities, timelines, gates).
• Initiate and lead process engineering enabled value creation, ESG and technology projects.
• Provide process engineering guidance to cross-functional stakeholders and R&D team.
• Support the selection, optimisation, validation and commissioning of new and existing processes and equipment.

Skills

R&D experience

Food manufacturing

Data analysis

Process improvement

Excel

Project management

SAP

Agile

FSANZ standards

Tools

SAP

BPCS

MS Project

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.

Opportunity to grow your career with Kraft Heinz!

Collaborative and dynamic work environment

Kickstart Your Career with Kraft Heinz!

Are you looking to grow your career in R&D? Do you want to join a dynamic team with a proven track record of internal growth and career advancement opportunities? We have an exciting permanent opportunity for a R&D Process Technologist to join our New Zealand R&D team, based in Hastings.

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

Key position responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Provide support in initial CAPEX scoping and support in CAPEX commissioning.
• Provide support in continuous improvement projects that require R&D process technical support.
• Create a pipeline of process engineering enabled value creation opportunities aligned to company and cluster strategies.
• Establish strong working relationship and technical exchange with Kraft Heinz international process engineering groups and external partners to leverage and locally deploy advantaged process engineering solutions.
• Demonstrate project management best practice to deliver projects with executional excellence, including defining clear project and business objectives, undertaking robust technical feasibilities, timeline development and adherence, project now/stage and gate and R&D ways of working compliance.
• Initiate and lead process engineering enabled value creation, R&D driven Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and technology projects.
• Provide process engineering guidance to cross-functional stakeholders and value creation R&D team.
• Support the selection, optimisation, validation and commissioning of new and existing processes and processing equipment.

What you'll bring:

• 1-3 years experience in an R&D role in the food industry.
• Process improvement and process development experience within the food manufacturing/food product development industry.
• Familiarity with and ability to work within a manufacturing and pilot plant environment
• Understanding of key food manufacturing process steps, including ingredient preparation, blending, thermal processing and packaging.
• Proficient using Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Project Management tools.
• Ability to pull data and analyse and assess trends in relation to process and food.
• Experience across production systems including Agile, BPCS and SAP
• Understanding of the FSANZ Food Standards code and food labelling requirements.
• Understanding of interactions between ingredients, additives, recipes, processes and packaging types.
• Understanding and high level of competence in all elements of the product development cycle including consumer insight interpretation, ideation to concept development, technical feasibility, factory implementation and product launch.
• Strong attention to detail
• Demonstrable problem solving skills

Ready to make an impact?

Location(s)

King Street

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.