Product Development Manager

Product Development Manager

Drive product development in a fast‑paced team, based in McLaren Vale, SA.

About Us
GWF is one of the largest food manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand, employing around 6,000 people across 40 sites. GWF’s product range is diverse and includes leading brands of breads, baked goods, smallgoods, flour, milled products, and animal feed. GWF’s business units include Tip Top, DON, Yumi’s, MAURI, and Jasol.
DON’s heritage goes back to the late 1800s. Since the beginning, we have been passionate about crafting great‑tasting meat products that Australians love. We produce ham, bacon, salami, smallgoods, and fresh pork.
We take great pride in our skills, techniques, and brands, which have evolved over more than a century. We’ve grown from a small family business to become one of Australia’s largest food manufacturers, now part of the GWF group.
DON is also a leading Australian employer with offices and facilities in metropolitan and regional locations across the country. We take pride in being a responsible employer and a great place to work. We offer a safe and supportive environment where everyone can achieve their full potential.

About the Role
Based in McLaren Vale, SA, this fast‑paced role focuses on developing products from customer‑driven briefs and supporting innovation across our portfolio. As a Product Development Manager, you will work closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure new products meet technical and quality standards while being delivered on time and to specification.

Responsibilities

- Manage product development projects from concept through to launch.

- Collaborate with quality, operations, and commercial teams to deliver results.

- Apply strong project management discipline to ensure timelines and deliverables are met.

- Support innovation projects with technical expertise and a quality‑first mindset.

- Stay across industry trends and apply learnings to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

- Strong technical and project management skills.

- Experience in product development, ideally within the meat industry, FMCG, food, or manufacturing.

- A problem‑solving mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced team.

- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong relationships.

Why Join Us
Our Purpose is to craft food that brings out ‘the good’. When you work at DON, not only will you be part of a community crafting iconic products that people love, you will also enjoy a safe and supportive environment where you can be your authentic self, advance in your career if you choose to, be recognised and rewarded for your contributions, and make a positive difference in the community.
We also work hard to ensure the programs and benefits we offer are competitive and reflect the needs and preferences of our people. They include (among others):

- Flexible work arrangements

- Community partnerships and initiatives, including 2 volunteer days per year

- Options to purchase additional leave

- Discounted products

- Training and development programs

- Global career opportunities

- Various recognition programs and rewards, including an end‑of‑year celebration

- Health and wellness initiatives

- Study assistance

Applications
To apply for this opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter by clicking on the ‘Apply’ button.
At DON and George Weston Foods, we are an equal opportunity employer. We embrace inclusion and diversity and celebrate what makes us unique. We are committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and the provision of a safe and healthy work environment. So we can get to know you in the best possible way, we’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support your accessibility needs. Please let us know your needs in providing a positive, barrier‑free recruitment process via email to donpeopleandperformance@gwf.com.au.
Applicants for this position may be required to undertake pre‑employment screening tests including a pre‑employment medical, including drug and alcohol tests, and a security/background check, which may also include a criminal record check. Proof of eligibility to work is required for all successful applicants.
GWF has a duty of care and a legal responsibility to promote, monitor, and maintain a safe working environment for the protection of all of our people in our workplaces.

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