Specialist - Food Technology

Job Context

This job holder operates in a large-scale, high-volume food manufacturing environment supporting airline, foodservice, and retail production across multiple manufacturing units. Functions as a technical specialist, leading the resolution of complex product, process, and quality challenges while providing expert guidance across cross-functional teams. Balances multiple strategic projects focused on innovation, cost optimization, waste reduction, shelf-life extension, and product quality enhancement, while developing technical standards, mentoring junior and mid-level food technologists, and driving continuous improvement in a dynamic manufacturing environment. 

Key Result Areas

• Lead the investigation and resolution of complex product and process deviations by conducting scientific research, designing experiments, interpreting analytical data, and translating findings into effective technical solutions that improve product quality and manufacturing performance.
• Drive food technology solutions and provide technical support for new product development initiatives by documenting scientific findings, delivering presentations, and promoting knowledge transfer across teams. 
• Assist in optimising new processes and methods to enhance product quality, minimise waste, drive cost efficiency and maintain regulatory compliance.
• Leverage internal and external technical expertise (such as ingredient suppliers, equipment suppliers and universities) to generate innovative ideas for recommendations by validating solutions and enhancing decision-making by application of industry best practices.
• Lead technical support for new product development and reformulation initiatives by conducting benchtop experimentation, scale-up testing, and formulation evaluations to troubleshoot processing challenges, optimize product performance, and provide technical recommendations for successful commercialization.
• Partner with suppliers in coordination with procurement to source, qualify, and integrate innovative ingredient solutions while conducting supplier evaluations, ingredient assessments, and formulation cost analysis to drive shelf-life extension, cost optimization, and profitability without compromising product quality.
• Develop, and maintain technical SOPs for Food Technology processes and laboratory instrumentation, ensuring operational consistency, data integrity, and effective knowledge transfer to team members.
• Develop and deliver technical training for culinary and production teams by translating food science principles into practical best practices, while establishing sensory evaluation protocols and product quality standards to enhance product consistency.
• Lead multiple projects concurrently by establishing clear project plans, timelines, milestones, and cross-functional dependencies, ensuring effective prioritisation and timely delivery.
• Guide and mentor team members by providing technical direction, reviewing experimental designs, and ensuring their work aligns with broader business objectives while fostering a culture of scientific rigor, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing.

Education Qualification:

• Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or equivalent qualification (Preferred)
   

Work Experience:

• Years of Experience: Minimum 6 years of relevant experience in the food industry.
• Extensive experience in food product formulation, recipe optimization, Design of Experiments (DOE), shelf-life extension, stability studies, and commercialization within food manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience in ingredient functionality, supplier qualification, cost optimization, root-cause analysis, and resolving complex product and process-related technical challenges.
• Demonstrated experience in developing technical SOPs and validation protocols, maintaining food safety and quality standards, and leading cross-functional projects while mentoring junior food technologists.
   

Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, processing technologies, and product development principles.
• Strong expertise in experimental design (DOE), analytical testing, statistical data analysis, and interpretation of technical results.
• In-depth knowledge of food safety standards, quality systems, regulatory requirements, and shelf-life extension strategies.
• Experience in technical writing, SOP development, validation protocols, and commercialization within food manufacturing environments.
• Strong strategic problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and cost optimization capabilities.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, project leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently, influence technical decisions, mentor junior and mid-level team members, and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment