Senior Research Technologist - Product Lead - Cheese Foods - Manawatu - 10761 - Fonterra

Job Name

Senior Research Technologist - Product Lead

General Information

Date Published

17-Jan-2025

Advertising Ends

31-Jan-2025

Country

New Zealand

Location

Manawatu

Role Type

Science & Technology

Work Type

Permanent

ID#

10761

Position Description

Our Co-operative

Fonterra’s strength is in the collective | Te Mātāpuna toa takitini

We are a proud New Zealand Co-operative built by generations of farming whānau. We believe nutritious food is essential to sustain people today, and for future generations to thrive, which is why we challenge ourselves to find new ways to bring our dairy goodness to people around the world.

At our Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North, we know the smallest things can make a difference, so we research and develop products that last longer, stretch further, work faster, waste less, withstand more and taste better. Bringing together world class dairy products and the deep expertise of our people we work alongside the passionate, talented and innovative food professionals who are driving dairy industry and innovation.

About the opportunity | Te whiwhinga mahi

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research Technologist to join our Cheese Foods team based in Palmerston North, at our Research and Development Centre on a permanent basis.

As our Senior Research Technologist, you’ll create commercial value for Fonterra by delivering product and technology innovations. Your expertise lies in applying depth of understanding in product development, ingredients, formulation, and processing will help develop new value propositions. In addition to your technical leadership, you will drive the development and engagement of a team. Your leadership will be key in motivating and inspiring the team, helping us retain top talent and aligning with our strategic workforce planning.

You will work on new product and technology development projects from concept to commercialization. Your focus is to generate innovative ideas, lead research projects, and develop new technologies and products. Your skills will support our consumer, ingredient, or food service business.

Key responsibilities include:

Establish a track record of significant technological contributions and technical leadership in cheese products and projects.
Provide technological leadership for the development of science-backed cheese products
Drive design-based approach within projects by collaborating with subject matter experts
Lead Product and Technology development projects. Plan new business opportunities, setting project frameworks, timelines, deliverables, and resource requirements.
Deliver timely, high-quality development outputs, independently and through teams, according to prioritized business needs.
Capture quality data, process it through appropriate statistical techniques, and convert it into suitable forms for stakeholders, including customer-focused presentations and reports so our IP is digitally captured.
Undertake a range of technical engagement activities (e.g., training customers or in-market teams, troubleshooting, technical recommendations, formulations) to support regional teams and customers in enabling business growth and value.
Supervise and manage a team ensuring effective allocation of resources across matrixed priorities
Conduct performance evaluations, provide continuous feedback, and develop training programs to enhance team capabilities
Working closely with peers, the Head of Cheese Foods and the Cheese R&D Technical Director & Lead to drive Cheese Foods team engagement

About you | Ko wai koe

You are a good communicator who builds rapport with ease along with being a passionate and innovative thinker who thrives on developing new solutions for our customers.

Regardless of experience, a deep interest in scientific thinking and methodology, a positive attitude, a willingness to learn quickly, and an ability to work within cross-functional teams is a must. A desire to build a high performing team that contributes to the delivery of our strategic ambition will be key.

In addition, you’ll have a tertiary qualification in food science, chemistry, technology, or engineering and a minimum of 5 years’ experience working within the food and dairy industry. Cheese knowledge is desirable.

A few other key attributes will be:

In-depth knowledge of food and dairy ingredients and products, with experience in formulating, processing, and commercializing specific products or technologies.
Ability to develop hypotheses, demonstrate clear thinking and judgment, and apply hypothesis-driven product design and development approach to meet essential objectives.
Advanced skills in scoping, designing, and shaping projects to stay ahead of the competition.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, along with strong collaboration, communication, and stakeholder management abilities with internal and external partners.
Demonstrated advanced leadership and mentoring skills.

Our story | To Tatou Korero

Being part of Fonterra means being part of a unique history, realising the potential of dairy for generations to come, and solving for a better future together.

Whanaungatanga, our Co-operative spirit, guides a common strength and purpose
Manaakitanga is how we care for all our people at the heart of what we do
Kaitiakitanga ensures we care for the land, farming in a way that regenerates our farms and environment for future generations
Whakaohooho inspires us all with excellent career development opportunities, benefits, flexibility, and balance to suit everyone's lifestyles and choices

Our Co-operative is a place where everyone can be themselves, feel empowered to do their best, and are empowered to create goodness for generations.

Sound good to you? Come join our whānau and let’s solve for better, together. You, me, us together. Tᾱtou tᾱtou

Applications will close at midnight on Friday, 31st of January.

Fonterra Home Page

Fonterra Home Page

Senior Research Technologist - Product Lead - Cheese Foods

General Information

Position Description