New Product Development (NPD) Manager

What are you planning to snack on throughout your day? Whether it’s the peanuts in your Snickers bar or the nuts/dried fruit you’ve purchased from Woolies, it’s highly likely that Scalzo Foods helped get them into your pantry.

Come join one of Australia’s fastest growing and innovative businesses in the industry! We are an agile, growth orientated team that focusses on adding value to the delivery of quality products, great service and mutually beneficial partnerships.

Our talented teams of industry experts work closely to drive our passion for consumer insights and market trends, our intricate understanding of domestic and global supply chains and the delivery of forward-thinking solutions for our customers!

Dedicated to staying ahead of the trends, we actively research into consumer insights, new product concepts, facilitate innovation for our customers whilst still reflecting our core pillars of family and food.

We are on the hunt for a highly self-motivated, proactive, and curious New Product Development (NPD) Manager to join our NPD team at Head Office (West Melbourne).

You will be responsible for leading the end-to-end product development process, delivering insight-lead innovation through new ingredients, processes and finished products. You will ensure products are successfully delivered to market on time, within cost and to the highest quality standards.

A normal day in the role of the New Product Development Manager includes:

• Leading the product development process for assigned projects from concept to commercialisation

• Planning and executing laboratory and production trials

• Monitoring industry trends, consumer insights and emerging category opportunities working closely with the National Category Manager and the General Manager of Sales

• Developing and delivering customer presentations and innovation concepts

• Conducting category and customer product reviews

• Ensuring compliance on all legislative and company requirements

• Identifying and driving operational and process improvements across product development and manufacturing

• Working closely and collaboratively with the retail, sales, commercial, quality, manufacturing teams and external stakeholders

A key focus of this role is ownership and continuous improvement of the product development process, with particular emphasis on speed to market, process efficiency, risk reduction and cross-functional collaboration.

Sound like something that you would love to be a part of? Well, take a look at what we provide our team here at Scalzo Foods:

• A bonus scheme and structure

• Wellbeing days to ensure you’re taking time to recharge however you choose to!

• Leave options including paid parental leave, volunteer leave and study leave

• Career progression and the opportunity to build a career across multiple functions in Aus/NZ

• EAP support and insurance options

• Brand new, state of the art workspace

• Recognition of our team milestones and achievements through reward and recognition

• We are invested in our local communities through fundraising, events, and volunteering

• Social events and more!

To be in the running for this role, you should have:

• A tertiary qualification in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, Product Development, or a related discipline

• Additional qualifications or certifications in project management, quality systems, or food safety are advantageous

• Strong demonstrated experience in food product development and food manufacturing and conducting laboratory and factory trials

• Exposure to customer-facing product development or innovation presentations is highly desirable

• Strong understanding of food formulation, ingredient functionality and product development processes, packaging and artwork processes

• Working knowledge of food safety, regulatory requirements and compliance frameworks (including FSANZ and relevant industry standards)

• Strong communication and presentation skills (the ability to present concepts and insights to internal teams and customers)

• Strong project management, organisational skills and attention to detail

• Collaborative working style with the ability to build strong relationships across departments and external partners

• Initiative! You are autonomous and a self-starter!

• An open, curious and optimistic outlook; you’re a problem solver

• A genuine passion for making a difference to help improve the way our customers work

• Excitement to learn and be exposed to different capabilities and experiences within the business

• A passion for culture!

To apply for this amazing opportunity, hit the apply button now!

If you feel as though you don't meet 100% of the criteria, we encourage you to still apply!

Scalzo Foods is committed to nurturing, creating and building a diverse environment. We welcome all applications from all walks of life.