Research Technologist - Cheese Foods - Manawatu - 11926 - Fonterra

General Information

Date Published

08-Jul-2025

Advertising Ends

18-Jul-2025

ID#

11926

Role Type

Science & Technology

Work Type

Permanent Full-Time

Workplace Type

On-site

Country

New Zealand

Location

Manawatu

Position Description

Ata whakaarohia tō āpōpō | Imagine Tomorrow with Us

At Te Mātāpuna Fonterra, we want everyone to feel they can be themselves.

Whether you're early in your career or ready for your next step, Fonterra offers a unique opportunity to grow with a global dairy co-operative that values care, collaboration, and contribution.

Owned by New Zealand dairy farmers and supported by a dedicated team, we are all working together to create a better future. Imagine tomorrow with us, where your career can grow, and you can create positive change.

He kupu mō mātou | About us | Research and Development Centre

At our Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North, we know the smallest things can make a difference, so we research and develop products that last longer, stretch further, work faster, waste less, withstand more and taste better. Bringing together world class dairy products and the deep expertise of our people we work alongside the passionate, talented and innovative food professionals who are driving dairy industry and innovation.

Mō tēnei tūranga | About the opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Technologist to join the Cheese Food Team at our Fonterra Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North on a permanent basis.

As a key member of our Cheese Foods team, your primary purpose is to deliver significant and sustained commercial value by driving product and technology innovations through the innovation pipeline. Your expertise in product development, ingredients, formulation, and processing will help create attractive new cheese-based value propositions for our business and customers.

You will join a high-performing team and employ advanced technology and scientific methods to create customer solutions. You will provide technical leadership to develop new products through formulation, processing, and applications at bench, pilot-plant and commercial scales.

Key responsibilities include:

Support the end-to-end innovation strategy for cheese products and technologies from concept to market implementation.
Demonstrate technical expertise and regularly provide valuable contribution to enhance the project pipeline.
Design and Execute trials in laboratories and pilot plants, with scientific rigor to guarantee precise data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
Conduct analyses, storage trials, functionality and application tests, sensory evaluations, and experimental trials in food/chemical labs.
Stay informed about global advancements in food science, technology, and the dairy industry by reviewing relevant literature and monitoring new product launches.
Drive new product and technology development projects from concept to implementation, meeting milestones and delivering high-quality outputs.
Collaborate with customers, marketing teams, category management, and manufacturing departments to align projects with market demands and production capacities.
Develop and maintain expertise in cheese product chemistry, manufacturing processes, and dairy ingredients.
Work independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams to meet business objectives.
Adhere to food safety, quality systems, and environmental policies, ensuring compliance with Fonterra’s sustainability objectives

Mōu | About you

You’ll have an innovative mindset with a passion for food science and a dedication to developing solutions that generate commercial value. You excel in collaborative settings, communicate effectively, and are committed to staying at the forefront of industry developments.

Additionally, you’ll have a tertiary qualification (preferably a PhD), in food science, chemistry, technology, or engineering, along with a minimum of 2 years of experience in the food and dairy industry.

A few other key attributes will be:

Expertise in research methodologies, experimental design, and data analysis.
Knowledge of food and dairy ingredients, with experience in formulating, processing, and commercializing products.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to develop hypotheses and apply a design-based approach to product development.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to simplify complex technical concepts.
Proactive member of Cheese Foods team supporting team engagement plans
Ability to take ownership and actively pursue your personal development plan with guidance from your manager

Ngā Uara | Our Values

We live our values every day—Good Together, Better Every Day, and Every Drop Counts. They are for everyone and guide how we show up for each other, our farmers, and our communities.

Take our Values Quiz to reflect on how your values align with ours. Values Quiz click here

Tā mātou oati | Our Commitment to You

We care for our people globally. Our comprehensive benefits support your well-being, development, and work-life balance:

Fair and equitable pay
Health and well-being programs (medical, mental health support)
Professional development opportunities
Career growth support
Work-life balance options (flexible/hybrid working where possible)
Employee recognition
Support for community involvement and cultural connection

To learn more, visit Fonterra Careers

Ngā Mahi | A Career of Opportunities

At Te Mātāpuna Fonterra, we are inspired by purpose and guided by our principles and values. Together, we create goodness for generations and make a global impact at a local level. As part of our Co-operative, you are an everyday creator, imagining what Fonterra, dairy, and you can be here.

Tātou Tātou | Join Us

Does this sound good to you? Come join our whānau - bring your whole self, and let's solve for better together. You, me, us together, Tātou, tātou.

He Wāhi mō te Katoa | Together, we're shaping a future of inclusion.

Inclusion is key to our Co-operative. We're building a team that reflects the diverse world we live in, believing it drives better decisions and innovation.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds (ethnicities, genders, identities, orientations, ages, abilities, neurotypes, cultures, religions).

Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, we encourage you to apply; we value potential and growth.

If you face accessibility issues or need accommodations during the process, please contact your recruiter. We ensure fair participation, allowing you to be at your best. Tātou, tātou.

Applications close midnight on Friday, 18th of July

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Research Technologist - Cheese Foods

General Information

Position Description