Product Development Manager Fmcg Salty Snacks

We’re on the hunt for a hands on leader to join our Snack Brands Australia team in the role of Product Development Manager. Reporting to the Head of Product Development, this exciting role will be based in our Smithfield site on a 18 month contract basis with frequent travel to our other sites based in Blacktown, Orchard Hills, and Norwest.

Here at Snack Brands Australia, we proudly make some of Australia’s favourite snacks including Nice & Natural, CC’s, Thins, Cheezels, Kettle and The Natural Chip Company. Across our four sites, we make over 200 million packets of chips a year - that's a lot of enjoyment and fun we bring to snackers every day! We encourage a culture that is exciting, challenging and we strive for innovation in everything we do. Our aim is for our people to share in our success, enjoy our products and reap the benefits of their hard work within a supportive environment! 

In this role you will work closely with the marketing and category teams to drive longer term innovation and short term tactical projects for both the Branded and Private Label business.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Manage the development of new products and line extensions from concept through to launch.
• All aspects of the product, process, packaging and cost optimisation
• Providing technical assistance to the production plants in trouble-shooting technical challenges
• Working with Marketing, Category and Operations teams to drive innovation.
• Developing new snack foods and other food product concepts for feasibility assessment
• Broadening technical knowledge to build an understanding of Product, Process, Packaging, Quality Systems, Regulatory Affairs and Nutrition in salty snack manufacturing.
• Creating and manage product and raw material specifications and documenting processes.
• Partnering with flavour houses to develop flavour systems suitable to run on our seasoning equipment.
• Manage a small team of Product Development professionals.

What you’ll bring to the role?

• Relevant qualifications, i.e.: Degree in Food Science Technology
• Minimum of 5 - 7 years’ experience in a Product Development, quality or continuous improvement roles - Ideally in FMCG
• Prior experience managing a team.
• Strong communication skills
• You will be able to juggle multiple priorities at once.
• This role involves you being a manager and hands on – You will enjoy pitching in and getting involved.
• Be a Team Player!

What can you expect in return? A supportive working environment (with plenty of snacks on hand!) where you'll feel engaged and valued, with career growth and mentoring opportunities.

If you have the experience we are looking for and you wish to join a company where you can have pride and passion in what you do, please APPLY NOW and submit your application form below!