Food Research and Development Manager

Job description / Role

An opportunity of a lifetime to join Australia’s leading prepared meal company!

Job Location: Brisbane, Australia

My client is looking for a passionate professional to lead their research and development team of Chefs, Dietitians & Food Technologists on an exciting journey to improve the health of our great nation.

Their goal is to create a healthier Australia by changing the way Australians eat and passionately believe that eating well is at the heart of health and wellbeing. They create healthy food that not only looks appealing but tastes good too which makes it easy for people to achieve and maintain a healthy weight by simply eating well!

For over 30 years the company has led the way in the healthy prepared meals segment. With modern state of the art facilities in 5 mainland states, you will be based in the Head Office Reserach & Development Kitchen in Brisbane, Queensland.

The company’s head office and central manufacturing plant are located just 20 minutes drive from the CBD. Southeast Queensland enjoys a subtropical climate and boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches & rainforests only a short distance away. This together with first class schools and universities in the surrounding suburbs less than 15 minutes away, is known for its safe, friendly environment.

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate a complete and comprehensive understanding of the prepared meal industry having worked in either airline or specialty food manufacturing.

In this role, you will be responsible for:
• providing direction and support to the research & development team
• maintaining positive and professional relationships within the department plus across the business
• developing healthy and nutritious products
• menu development, new product implementation and food process improvements
• monitoring daily product quality control and overseeing new product presentations
• working closely with senior management to identify market opportunities
• reviewing and analysing product sales, repurchase behaviours, customer choices and survey results
• working closely with the supply chain team to facilitate new product development
• managing timelines from concept through to product launch

Key areas of focus will include:
• fresh & frozen breakfast, lunch and dinner development
• snacks (internal bakery) and external supplier development
• components – proteins and sauce development

Requirements

To be considered for this opportunity you must have:
• substantial food industry and management experience
• trade or degree qualified
• a genuine passion for food
• outstanding people management and influencing skills
• excellent communication skills
• an ability to build high performing teams
• an ability to excel within cross-functional teams
• a strong internal customer focus
• excellent organisational and planning abilities
• ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines

About the Company

BAC Middle East - the longest established professional recruitment consultancy in the UAE. Established in 1979, we have been at the forefront of the region's recruitment industry for 40 years and were the first firm of our type in the world to achieve ISO9001 certification: a reflection of our constant emphasis on quality and customer satisfaction.

With our well-developed infrastructure and staff strength, we are able to assist you with recruitment needs ranging from junior professionals through to middle and senior management, whatever your industry sector.

BAC's proven regional experience and resources can help ensure that you recruit the best available candidates and enjoy the many advantages of a managed recruitment process.