This company is a leading player in the Australian food industry, with a strong focus on innovation and quality. They invest heavily in research and development to drive product improvement and create new offerings. As the business continues to grow and evolve locally, they are looking for an R&D Manager to help lead innovation and support the next phase of their expansion.
About the Role
As the R&D Manager you will lead the development and commercialization of innovative food and dairy products for the Australian market. This role is hands-on and central to driving new product initiatives across multiple categories.
You will take ownership of the full product development lifecycle—leading ideation, recipe development, pilot and factory trials, and final scale-up to commercial production. They will manage a team of food innovation technologists, ensuring projects are executed with technical precision and delivered on time. The role requires deep involvement in sourcing ingredients, optimizing formulations, and validating manufacturing processes.
This position also supports packaging development, process design, and line commissioning, while ensuring products meet regulatory compliance and labelling standards. Working closely with cross-functional teams, the R&D Manager plays a key role in bringing innovation to life—translating consumer insights into commercially viable products that align with business goals and market trends.
Skills & Experience
- Tertiary qualifications in Food Science, Food Technology, or related discipline
- Proven experience in a product development or R&D leadership role within the dairy or wider FMCG food manufacturing sector
- Strong knowledge of food processing, sensory analysis, and regulatory compliance
- Demonstrated success in launching commercially viable new products
- Excellent communication, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills
- Passion for innovation and continuous improvement in a customer-focused environment
If you're a passionate and experienced R&D leader looking to make a real impact in a thriving food manufacturing business, we’d love to hear from you. This role offers the opportunity to lead innovative projects, shape future product pipelines, and be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team. You'll be working with a business that values quality, creativity, and continuous improvement, with strong support from leadership and a clear vision for growth.
To apply online, please click on the Apply button.
Alternatively, for a confidential discussion, please contact Emily Gough on 0428 057 051 or via email at egough@sharpandcarter.com.au.
