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Senior Development Technologist

General Information

Date Published
10-Apr-2026
Advertising Ends
10-May-2026
ID#
15051
Role Type
Science & Technology
Work Type
Fixed-Term Full-Time
Workplace Type
Hybrid
Country
Australia
Location
Melbourne & Southern Victoria

Position Description

About Lactalis-Mainland Dairy

Mainland Dairy, the business formerly known as Fonterra’s global Consumer and associated businesses, is now part of the Lactalis Group and known as Lactalis-Mainland Dairy. 

Lactalis is a French family-owned business founded in Laval in 1933. Today, it is the world’s leading dairy group, present in 50 countries employing around 85,500 people. It is home to some of the world’s best known global and international dairy brands, including Président, Galbani and Parmalat, and local brands including Pauls, OAK, and Cracker Barrel in Australia.  

Lactalis-Mainland Dairy is a team of more than 4,300 employees, operating 16 manufacturing sites across Oceania, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. We make well-loved brands including Perfect Italiano, Mainland, and Western Star. 

Our passionate and talented team is committed to nurturing the future, unlocking new opportunities, and fostering innovation in nutrition and food.
      
The Opportunity

We’re looking for a Senior Development Technologist to join our team at Lactalis-Mainland Dairy in Richmond.  

This is a 12 month maximum term parental leave contract, reporting to the Product Development Manager – Oceania. 

In this senior technical role, you will be a key leader in product innovation and development, playing a pivotal role in delivering complex dairy projects from concept through to commercialisation. You will provide strong technical leadership, mentor product development team members, and help identify and implement new technologies and processes to drive product and business performance.

In this role, you will:

  • Providing technical leadership and mentorship to the product development team, guiding formulation, process optimisation, and troubleshooting complex technical challenges
  • Working in cross functional development projects, including new products, range extensions, and process improvements, ensuring timely and effective execution
  • Identifying emerging trends, technologies, and processes in dairy development and manufacturing, and leading their evaluation and implementation
  • Optimising product formulations and processing methods to enhance quality, sensory performance, nutritional profiles, and cost effectiveness
  • Applying good product development practices, including product testing, shelf life studies, and ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements
  • Communicating technical insights, project progress, and recommendations to senior leaders and key stakeholders to support decision making 

About You

We’re looking for an experienced and proactive development technologist who thrives in a collaborative, fast paced environment and enjoys leading technically complex work. 

To succeed in this role, you’ll ideally bring:

  • A Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Food Science, Chemistry, Science, or a related discipline 
  • 5+ years’ experience in product development within FMCG, ideally dairy or food manufacturing 
  • Experience working on Butter and Dairy Spreads category will be advantageous
  • Strong technical capability in formulation, processing, and product optimisation 
  • Proven experience leading development projects end to end 
  • Confidence working cross functionally with marketing, operations, quality, and supply chain teams 
  • A passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and mentoring others

What We Offer

  • Competitive pay and benefits
  • Career development and internal opportunities across a global business
  • A team focused workplace in a fantastic culture where your work has real impact
  • A strong commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability
  • Flexible work arrangements where possible

Based at our Richmond office, this role offers excellent career development and internal mobility pathways as well as flexible ways of working and a hybrid structure, that allows you the balance of in-office collaboration and working from home to suit your lifestyle. 

Please note that applicants must have full working rights for Australia to be considered.

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