Product Development Manager (fixed-term)

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Are you passionate about food product innovation and the opportunity to work with global brands? As our Product Development Manager (PDM) you’ll be responsible for initiating, developing and rolling out new products for 2 of our iconic brands (KFC & Taco Bell) across the New Zealand market. This is an exciting role for an experienced and creative Food Tech/Product development specialist who knows how to plan a project and see it through to fruition. Although this position sits within our dynamic Marketing Team, to turn your ideas into reality you’ll also liaise with Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Operations, Training & Development and our external suppliers.


Your responsibilities will include:

• Working closely with your Marketing colleagues to plan the promotional calendars 
• Exchanging ideas and information with our parent franchisors in Australia and Singapore  
• Product Innovation - researching new product and recipe ideas
• Leading innovation sessions with suppliers 
• Sourcing and selecting ingredients – ensuring they’re economically and nutritionally viable 
• Managing product sensory testing 
• Conducting validation tests, and ensuring safety regulations 
• Assisting in developing new packaging solutions
• Leading the new product development meetings, managing minutes and project managing products to launch
•  Working collaboratively with all internal and external partners to drive on time and successful new product launches  

To be successful in this role you’ll be:

• Passionate about food (with an appetite for QSR Quick service Restaurants)
• Tertiary qualified in Food Tech/Science or similar 
• Experienced in product development within a manufacturing or FMCG environment 
• A creative and innovative foodie who’s ahead of the trends 
• Able to communicate with staff at all levels – and be tenacious
• An excellent project planner and time manager  
• Fast, accurate and organized, proactive and self-driven, flexible and resilient
•  A proficient user of MS Excel / Powerpoint / Adobe

 What’s in it for you?

• We embrace creativity, you can bring that flair to this role and perhaps create the next ‘big thing’!
• Surround yourself with knowledgeable, passionate people who live and breathe the brands
• Access to discounted Southern Cross Healthcare 
• Fantastic Support Office Social Club (go carting, ten pin bowling, Xmas Hams, Easter Eggs, Movies and much more have been enjoyed in the past) 
•  Free car parking, or we’re only a 3-minute walk from the Ellerslie train station

Restaurant Brands (NZ) is a corporate franchisee managing multi-site branded food retail chains, including KFC, Pizza Hut, Carl’s Jr., and Taco Bell. We operate over 220 stores across New Zealand, employing more than 3,500 staff and serving over 60,000 customers daily.


Please note this is a fixed- term opportunity for approx. 9-months to cover parental leave.
If this job sounds like you, please apply online now!