New Product Development Food Technologist

First established in 1910, Milne Agrigroup is a family run company that works hard to ensure the long term development of our brands in keeping with their heritage, identity and expertise. We are experts in agribusiness and currently specialise in livestock feed, pet food and meat production.

Our multi award-winning meat division is laser focused on provenance and the production of exceptional quality and innovative products that meet consumers’ changing needs and expectations. Our iconic meat brands include Mt Barker Free Range Chicken and Plantagenet Free Range Pork, with our distribution network extending across Australasia.

Why Join Us?

Prime location: working in Rockingham with access to staff parking and public transport.

Exclusive benefits: enjoy staff discounts on a range of our products available in our staff shop.

Fuel up at work: let our in-house Barista brighten up your mornings with café quality coffee in our staff canteen.

Growth & flexibility: we value work/life balance and offer flexible working hours where possible. For those eager to scale, we can also offer longer term career advancement opportunities.

Objectives of The Role

This Food Technologist role (ANZSCO 234212) is a full time position at our Rockingham site reporting to our GM New Products. The role will involve Product Development from concept all the way through to launch for key Product Development projects.

Responsibilities include:

• Working within the development team on New Product Development briefs for branded range development
• Ensuring New Products are commercialised on time, at cost and to appropriate functional, quality and regulatory standards
• Partnering with the Operations team and being the technical lead in planning and executing products from prototype development through to factory trial and commercialisation
• Communication and escalation of project progress/issues to sponsors and other stakeholders eg: product and process risks, project milestones, road blocks and recommendations
• Developing, trialing, validating and implementing changes to formulations, products and processes to meet customer and project requirements
• Coordination of factory trials to ensure product and process feasibility, which will include liaising with production, laboratory and technical services staff
• Driving product and processes improvements to achieve cost and waste reduction, capacity and quality targets and collaboration with various stakeholders
• Quality improvement through identifying and implementing improvements in product design and processes while maintaining product consistency and quality
• Designs in quality and understand product key quality attributes
• Specification management including raw materials, packaging and finished product specifications and quality attribute standards in both company and customer databases
• Maintain records for R&D tax concession claim and complete accurate and timely information for Stage gate documentation

What We Need from You

The must-haves include:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Food Science/Technology or related field and previous experience in a food Product Development role
• A deep passion for culinary excellence with a track record of creating innovative and well balanced, flavourful products
• A well developed and sophisticated palate to contribute to New Product panel discussions, product design and flavour profile development
• Experience in developing and commercialising products and processes in a variety of chilled and frozen food products within retail, food service or other manufacturing environments
• Exceptional skills in menu development, food presentation and quality control
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross functional business partners including commercial and manufacturing teams to ensure timely and quality execution of multiple projects
• Sound knowledge of FSANZ requirements and labelling requirements
• Show a clear commitment to continually developing knowledge and skills
• Competence in Microsoft Office suite
• Ability to quickly learn new concepts and adapt to change
• Experience in managing multiple projects and sound project management skills
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic with a positive attitude

Desirables include:

• Experience with value added, cooked meats and meals
• Experience with cooking/packing machinery

Joining the Group

Staff benefits include:

• Friendly and supportive work culture
• Long term career opportunities
• Free onsite parking
• Discount on products