We are PZ Cussons. Our purpose is For everyone, for life, for good.

Sustainability and the wellbeing of people, families and communities everywhere are at the heart of everything that we do.

Since our founding in 1884, we have been creating products to delight, care for and nourish consumers. Across our core categories of Hygiene, Baby and Beauty, our trusted and well-loved brands include Carex, Cussons Baby, Sanctuary Spa and St. Tropez.

Job Purpose

The Senior Food Technologist is responsible for leading the development, optimisation, and delivery of innovative infant food products for the Rafferty’s Garden brand. This role drives projects from concept through to commercial launch, ensuring products meet high nutritional standards, align with brand strategy, and deliver value for our consumers and our business.

Working as a key member of our Melbourne‑based Research & Development team, the Senior Food Technologist collaborates closely with cross‑functional internal partners, including Marketing, Quality, Packaging Technology, Project Management, Procurement, as well as external suppliers, to shape the future of our infant nutrition portfolio. Reporting to the Head of Research & Development, this role provides technical leadership, champions science‑based product development, and ensures the creation of safe, high‑quality, and trusted products that parents trust and babies thrive on.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Head of Research & Development

Direct Reports: Not applicable

Key Duties and Responsibilities  

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead development and optimisation of infant food products from concept through commercialisation.
• Conduct and interpret sensory & technical evaluations to ensure products meet nutritional, safety, and sensory expectations.
• Identify and champion innovation opportunities grounded in consumer insights and category trends.
• Translate insights into actionable product concepts and prototypes.

Regulatory Compliance & Specifications

• Ensure all formulations, processes, and claims meet relevant regulatory and food safety standards.
• Maintain accurate product specifications and technical documentation.
• Partner with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure compliance throughout the product lifecycle.

Third‑Party & Supplier Collaboration

• Partner with Procurement to ensure strong alignment between technical requirements, cost objectives and supplier capabilities.
• Engage with co‑manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and technical partners to deliver high‑quality solutions.
• Evaluate new technologies, ingredients, and processes that advance efficiency or product performance.

Cost Optimisation & Continuous Improvement

• Drive cost‑efficiency initiatives without compromising product integrity.
• Conduct formulation reviews, process optimisation, and value‑engineering activities.

Project Management

• Work within cross‑functional project teams to deliver on milestones and timelines.
• Coordinate activities across R&D, Marketing, Quality, Packaging, Procurement, and external partners.

Key Criteria – Capabilities, Experience & Attributes

Technical Expertise

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, or related field.
• 6–8 years’ experience in food product development, ideally within fast moving consumer goods.
• Strong understanding of food chemistry, ingredient functionality, sensory evaluation methodologies, and processing technologies.
• Experience working with co‑manufacturers and external technical partners.
• Deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks governing infant food.

Project Leadership

• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong balance of strategic thinking and hands‑on execution.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities.

Collaboration & Communication

• Excellent stakeholder management across Marketing, Quality, Packaging, Procurement, and Supply Chain.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation.

Attributes

• Curious and courageous — challenges assumptions and pushes boundaries.
• Practical and grounded — thrives in execution and detail.
• Diligent and detail‑oriented — precise with specifications, compliance, and documentation.
• Collaborative — builds strong cross‑functional relationships.
• Purpose‑driven — motivated by supporting infant health and wellbeing.
• Resilient and adaptable — thrives in a dynamic, fast‑moving environment.

PZ Cussons is big enough to make your mark, small enough to make it yours. Apply to join us!