Senior Product Development Technologist

Danone; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Danone ANZ seeks a Senior Product Development Technologist to lead end-to-end formulation and process optimization for early life nutrition products in Auckland. You will partner with manufacturing, R&I and supply chain to scale up and commercialize powder formulations while ensuring KPI targets and regulatory compliance.

You will design experiments, analyze data, and document specifications to guide plant operations at Auckland and Balclutha sites, focusing on cost-effective recipes and robust

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Experience in dairy, infant formula, or FMCG manufacturing.
• Knowledge of dry-blending and spray-drying processes.
• Experience with product development, trials and technical documentation.
• Strong Excel and MS Office skills.

Responsibilities

• Optimize product and process design to achieve cost-effective recipes and scalable product optimization.
• Support operations at Auckland and Balclutha sites with maintenance and troubleshooting of current portfolios.
• Assist in product development projects related to formulations, sourcing ingredients, trials and technical documentation.
• Identify and share opportunities for innovation and productivity that add value to the business.
• Ensure continuous monitoring, data collection, and analysis of product and process performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional and global teams for project execution.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical expertise

Data analysis

Excel proficiency

Planning and organization

Education

Chemical Engineering / Food Science / Dairy Science / Life Science / Human Nutrition (tertiary qualification)

Tools

Dry-blending

Spray-drying

Job description

About The Job

Are you an experienced professional looking for an exhilarating new challenge in the product development realm? Do you thrive in a technical role within the early life nutrition industry? We have an exceptional opportunity for a Senior Product Development Technologist to join our innovative and dynamic R&I team in Auckland. As a pivotal member of our team, you will be at the forefront of driving successful end-to-end product development through your expertise in manufacturing process optimization, nutritional powder formulation, and their interactions.

You will report to the Product Development Manager and ensure the timely delivery of product development outputs and cross-functional projects with high-quality standards. You will serve as the critical liaison between the R&I team and other functions locally and globally, facilitating the successful scale‑up and commercialization of powder formulations. Your role will encompass creating clear operational/process specifications that meet plant manufacturing KPIs.

Your responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Optimize product and process design to achieve cost-effective recipes, effective material selection, scalable product optimization, and utilize zero-base mindset/tools.


• Support operations at Auckland and Balclutha sites with ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting of current product portfolios.


• Assist in product development projects related to formulations, sourcing new ingredients, conducting trials and tests, and updating technical documentation.


• Identify and share opportunities for innovation and productivity that add value to the business.


• Ensure continuous monitoring, data collection, and analysis of product and plant process performance.


• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including global teams, for successful project execution.

About you

You are an experienced and innovative product development technologist with exceptional cross‑functional collaboration skills, technical expertise, and an inclusive, agile working style. Your positive attitude, strong people skills, and experience in a fast‑paced dairy or infant formula manufacturing environment will make you a valuable asset to our dynamic team. Join us and contribute to groundbreaking projects that make a real difference.

To be successful, you will also have

• A tertiary qualification in Chemical Engineering/Food Science/Dairy Science/Life Science/Human Nutrition, or a related field.


• Experience in a similar role within the dairy, infant formula, or FMCG industry is highly desirable.


• In-depth knowledge and experience in dry‑blending and spray‑drying is highly desirable


• Experience with China registration and nGB will be advantageous.


• Proficiency in Excel and the MS Office suite is preferred.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to manage shifting priorities.

About us

At Danone, we aim to inspire healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking practices, in line with our Vision - Danone, One Planet. One Health. We operate across four business lines Essential Dairy and Plant-Based Products, Waters, Early Life Nutrition, and Medical Nutrition. Our headquarters are in France, we have offices in 55 countries across the globe, and our products are sold in over 120 markets. We have been around for more than a century and are the proud owners of some of the best‑known brands worldwide, including favorites like YoPro, Activia, Aptamil and Karicare.

Danone ANZ focuses on dairy and specialized nutrition products for infants and adults and is proud to be awarded the Great Place to Work accreditation winner for ANZ in 2022, 2023 & 2024 – a globally recognised program where we feature as one of Australia’s top places to work.

Visit our website WE ARE DANONE to know more about us.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

We proudly affirm that we are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and our ambition is to foster an INCLUSIVE & DIVERSE workplace where all Danoners can bring their uniqueness to contribute to business results. Our commitment to DEI ensures that all qualified individuals receive fair consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and disability at our company.