This is a 12 month Fixed Term Position, working Monday – Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm, 40 hours per week.

Are you looking for a new challenge in the product development space? Would you enjoy a technical role in the early life nutrition industry? We have a fantastic opportunity for a Product Development Technologist to be part of our talented and dynamic R&I team based in Auckland.

As a key member of a team, you will be responsible to drive the successful end-to-end product development delivery through the application of in-depth knowledge in manufacturing process optimisation, nutritional powder formulation, and their interactions.

Reporting to the Product Development Manager you will be responsible for the delivery of product development outputs and where necessary wider cross-functional projects, ensuring on-time and quality delivery against business expectations. You will act as a key link between the R &I team and the Operations team to ensure concept base powder formulations can be successfully scaled up and commercialized in the plant with clear operational/process specifications stipulated while meeting plant manufacturing KPIs.

Your responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Drive optimisation in products & processes to achieve cost-effective recipe design, effective material selection, product optimization scalability, and use of zero-base mind set/ tools
• Provide support to operations in Auckland & Balclutha sites with ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting of existing product portfolios
• Support product development projects in the space of formulations, sourcing new ingredients, trials, and testing, and updating technical documents
• Lead relevant part of the R&I module of China registration at NZSP including – stakeholder management in China and NZSP, trial, dossier preparation, and SMAR audit
• Identify opportunities for productivity that create value for the business
• Ensure ongoing product and plant process performance monitoring, data collection, and analysis
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams for the effective execution of projects

You are a motivated junior product development technologist with a foundational understanding of cross-functional collaboration and technical skills. You embrace an inclusive working style and are eager to develop an agile mindset. Any prior experience in a fast-paced dairy or infant formula manufacturing environment will be beneficial. You have a positive attitude, are easy to get along with, and have a natural ability to build rapport.

To be successful you will also have:

• Tertiary qualification in Chemical Engineering/Food Science/Dairy Science/Life Science/Human Nutrition or related field
• Ideally some experience in areas such as science, food manufacturing, food nutrition, laboratory.  Relevant food regulatory exposure a bonus.
• Previous experience in developing and implementing shelf-life protocols, nice to have
• Previous experience in leading and managing sensory panels and trainings a bonus
• Good Excel and MS Office suite skills will be preferred 
• Excellent communication skills – written and verbal
• Sound planning and organization skills with an ability to work with shifting priorities

Do things your way. The way you work, the way you develop, the way you progress, it’s all up to you. Working here you’ll need to enjoy a fast-pace, complexity and it can get a little challenging. But it’s packed with opportunities. You’ll work with some of the best-known brands in the world, such as YoPro, Activia, Aptamil and Karicare, and we absolutely guarantee that you can just be yourself.

Always looking to bring the outside in to continuously improve our ways of working as well as our Danoner’s day to day experience, we have been awarded Winner of the 2020 Employer of Choice awards through the NZ HRD Awards and we are proud of our Certification as a Great Place to Work company 2024.

Be innovative and entrepreneurial and the impact you could make might just amaze you. Join our movement for a healthier world. One Planet One Health BY YOU. Danone is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply!

We truly value our Danoners and strive to make their experience exceptional by creating a positive and fulfilling environment for everyone. Our unique benefits are designed to enhance the lives and provide genuine value.

Our Benefits

• Medical insurance paid for by the company for you and discounts for your whānau
• Free life insurance
• Flu vaccination, free annual medical checks, and free onsite car parking,
• Discount in our products and at a range of retailers.
• Gym and cafe discounts.
• Annual Bonus Scheme
• Fresh fruit every day.
• 4% Kiwisaver contribution and so much more!
• 26 weeks of gender-neutral paid parental leave
• Employee Share Subscription Plan after 12 months of service
• Performance-related incentives and annual reviews

We believe everyone has talent, something which comes natural to you. Your uniqueness is something which brings both excellence as well as energizes you.

Proving yourself in this role could lead to future opportunities within Danone both locally and abroad. We support our employees to take ownership of developing their career within Danone and encourage moves across (as well as within) our varying functions and businesses. We are passionate about developing and growing our team of leaders, and that could soon include you!

At Danone, we aim to inspire healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking practices, in line with our Vision - Danone, One Planet. One Health. We operate across four business lines: Essential Dairy and Plant-Based Products, Waters, Early Life Nutrition, and Medical Nutrition. Our headquarters are in France, we have offices in 55 countries across the globe, and our products are sold in over 120 markets.

Danone ANZ focuses on dairy and specialized nutrition products for infants and adults and is proud to be awarded the Great Place to Work accreditation winner for ANZ in 2022, 2023 & 2024 – a globally recognised program where we feature as one of Australia’s top places to work.

Visit our website WE ARE DANONE to find out more about us.

How to Apply

If this opportunity resonates with you and you’re eager to shape and define this role, then go ahead and seize the moment. Click on the APPLY button and share your resume with us before 30 June 2025.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

We proudly affirm that we are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and our ambition is to foster an INCLUSIVE & DIVERSE workplace where all Danoners can bring their uniqueness to contribute to business results. Our commitment to DEI ensures that all qualified individuals receive fair consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and disability at our company.

No Recruitment Agencies please.