Product Technologist, Fresh Produce

We’ve been proudly serving Australian communities since 1914 and have grown to become a top 30-listed company on the ASX with a portfolio of iconic homegrown brands. At the heart of our continued success is over 115,000 team members working across the country, all contributing to bringing our customers smiles. You’ll not only get to see your work make a difference, you’ll be part of a team working together to help Australians eat and live better every day.

About the team

From baby food to coffee blends, our team members use their passion and innovative thinking to develop and deliver Coles’ own brands of quality products and best value solutions for our customers.

About the role

We're looking for an experienced Product Technologist to lead the technical management of the Fresh Produce category, ensuring exceptional quality, food safety and compliance outcomes while driving continuous improvement across the supply chain. In this highly autonomous role, you'll have the opportunity to influence strategic decisions, build strong supplier partnerships and contribute to delivering products that customers know and trust.

Working across a broad stakeholder network, you'll collaborate with suppliers, merchandising, quality and commercial teams to balance customer expectations, technical requirements and business objectives in a fast-moving retail environment.

You’ll also:

• Own the technical management of your Fresh Produce category from supplier through to customer.
• Drive product quality, food safety and compliance outcomes across the product lifecycle.
• Lead investigations, root cause analysis and risk assessments for quality and food safety issues.
• Partner with suppliers to deliver innovation, continuous improvement and product performance.
• Manage complex stakeholder conversations, balancing customer, quality and commercial priorities.
• Support the development and execution of category product plans and strategic initiatives.
• Analyse data and reporting to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, standards, internal policies and quality requirements.
• Collaborate across merchandising, marketing, quality and supplier networks to achieve business objectives.
• Drive pace, prioritisation and effective workload management in a fast-moving retail environment.

About you and your skills

You are a technically strong food industry professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys taking ownership of outcomes. You're equally comfortable working through detailed technical challenges as you are influencing stakeholders and managing difficult conversations. You bring a broad perspective across product development, quality, compliance and supplier engagement rather than operating within a single technical discipline.

You are a proactive self-starter who can prioritise competing demands, lead projects independently and build strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders. Most importantly, you have a passion for fresh food and a commitment to delivering quality products that customers can trust.

You’ll also bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Food Science, Science, Microbiology, Nutrition, Food Technology, Chemistry or a related field essential.
• Fresh Produce experience essential.
• Proven experience within FMCG, manufacturing, retail or supplier environments.
• Experience in product technology, product specifications, quality, food compliance or technical management roles.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes and product quality systems.
• Knowledge of food safety, regulatory requirements and quality standards.
• Experience working with suppliers to drive performance, compliance and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated capability in root cause analysis, risk assessment and technical problem solving.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Proven project leadership experience with the ability to work autonomously.
• Strong planning, prioritisation and time management skills.
• A current drivers license. 

What’s in it for you?

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email inclusionrecruitment@coles.com.au

Job ID: 178321

Employment Type: Full time

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