Product Development Technologist

Job Title: Product Development Technologist

Location: Adelaide, SA

Date: 2024-11-07

Intro

An exciting opportunity now exists for a Product Development Technologist to join our team for 12-month period based in Adelaide, South Australia.

Job Description

Yumbah Aquaculture is quickly becoming Australia’s leading shellfish aquaculture company.  The business operates nationally in some of the most pristine waters of Australia including Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia. We farm abalone, oysters, and mussels for both domestic and international consumer markets as well as oyster spat for the Tasmanian and South Australian oyster industry.

We are poised for an exciting growth phase on several fronts through a focus on driving organic improvement by margin optimisation through sales execution, farming optimisation, lease and site development to increase capacity, and further acquisitions. 

An exciting opportunity now exists for a Product Development Technologist to join our team for 12-month period based in Adelaide, South Australia.


About the Role
 

The Product Development Technologist will manage and oversee the new product development process from product concept development to commercialisation across abalone, oysters and mussels. 


Key Responsibilities Include:
 

  • Assist the Packaging Lead in evaluating the new packaging quality, safety and sustainability 
  • Build out a network of flexible and agile suppliers that will boost Yumbah’s innovation capacity whilst performing at the highest operational standards
  • Manage and work within the framework of the internal Stage/Gate product development process
  • In conjunction with QA – review and update existing artwork to ensure compliant with the target export market requirements
  • Work with third party processors / contract manufacturer to implement new product line, provide products specification and any other relevant documentations
  • Manage product development timelines and required inputs from internal and external stakeholders
  • Actively and regularly find new ways to improve the product development process
  • Work closely with Yumbah QA/QC champion to ensure product developments meet relevant food safety standards. 
  • Work closely with sales and logistics to ensure product development meets internal timelines and production requirements
  • Create samples for presentation of new concepts to our retail and food service partners within strict timeframes
  • Assessment of new ingredients to make informed decisions on ingredient performance and viability within products
  • Manage sensory evaluation and laboratory tests and results of new and existing products for quality assurance and continuous improvement. 
  • Responsible for management of internal NPD documentation, including being able to outline and document new recipes, product handling, cooling, processing including cooking packaging, outcomes of trials and key learnings
  • Conduct new product sensory / micro shelf-life evaluation 
  • Actively scope the competitive market to recommend new product or existing product development opportunities and provide market updates


Skills, Experience & Attributes 
 

  • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Product Development within the FMCG industry
  • Experience with food or beverage manufacturing, ideally with experience in seafood.
  • A natural communicator, able to connect with diverse backgrounds (written and verbal)
  • Fast moving, solution driven with a good track record of successful execution and sound and compliant technical solutions
  • Strong project management experience
  • Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook)
  • Understanding of Domestic and Export requirements for ready to eat foods.
  • Proactive, ambitious, and assertive: you take ownership of your work
  • Entrepreneurial, can make things happen and make decisions under time pressure
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Excellent time management skills


Why Join Our Team?
 

  • Opportunity to join a growing business with national operations
  • Flexible working arrangements 
  • Training and development opportunities 
  • Competitive remuneration 


Next Steps
 

If you’re interested in this opportunity, please apply via SEEK