R&D Manager

Position Title: R&D Manager 

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time ​

Position Location: Melbourne 

Requisition ID: 38908 

In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.

About the role.

We have an exciting new opportunity to join McCain as an R&D Manager, who will be responsible for the leadership and implementation of product development and innovation plans, managing a team that executes multiple product innovation and renovation projects from concept and recipe development, through trial and factory validation, to commercial production.

In addition to leading and executing new product development for the Australian and New Zealand markets, this role sets clear expectations for candidates to possess existing line management experience and a proven track record in global FMCG food manufacturing environments. The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in solving complex technical challenges, developing and executing Product Stewardship initiatives, and incorporating consumer insight and front-end innovation management into category strategies.

What you'll be doing.

• Lead and implement product development strategies from concept through to commercial production within a global FMCG framework.
• Manage and mentor an established team of product developers, leveraging prior direct line management experience to foster a high-performance, engaged culture.
• Oversee the full product development lifecycle, including recipe creation, bench and factory trials, and factory validation, ensuring a pipeline of innovation.
• Solve complex technical challenges efficiently, partnering with external suppliers and internal cross-functional teams and leveraging your strong operational and technical aptitude.
• Define and execute Product Stewardship projects, maintaining product quality, compliance, and performance throughout the category including defining technical solution on product design to delight our consumers
• Integrate consumer insights and market intelligence into front-end innovation processes, directly contributing to strategic category initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional and global teams to drive the innovation pipeline in line with McCain's growth objectives.
• Partner with commercial and category leadership to translate consumer trends into successful, market-ready product propositions.
• Coach, support, and challenge direct reports, empowering individual growth and driving team results.
• R&D leader including identification and continuous improvement of R&D function and innovation project processes.

What you'll need to be successful.

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of technical and professional research & development experience in consumer goods, with at least 5 years in global FMCG food manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated line management experience, including direct oversight of multidisciplinary teams (3–5+ reports).
• Extensive exposure to fast-paced, commercially-driven food manufacturing organizations.
• Strong hands-on capability, with a track record in bench and factory trials.
• Advanced culinary skills and a strong working knowledge of global flavor pairing and ingredient technologies—including freeze-thaw applications.
• Expertise in interpreting FSANZ and international regulations, best practice product design, and NPD compliance.
• High-level operational and mechanical problem-solving ability, with experience navigating complex technical challenges.
• Proven success in executing Product Stewardship and product performance initiatives.
• Deep understanding of food safety and HACCP processes, ensuring compliance with global Acts, Ethics, and Standards.
• Strong project management skills, with a capacity to plan, organize, and lead simultaneous innovation projects.
• Experience in integrating consumer insights and driving front-end innovation from concept through commercialization.
• Ability to work cross-culturally and cross-functionally, with an adaptable global mindset.

About McCain.

Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.

Leadership principles.

At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

The McCain experience.

We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we're better together.

*We've got this covered No external recruitment support is required and unsolicited CVs will not be considered.

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McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions. 

Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain's Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. You can understand how your personal information is being handled here. 

Job Family: Research & Development      

Division: Global Research and Development 

Department: ​Core Product Portfolio ​

Location(s): AU - Australia : Victoria : Melbourne 

Company: McCain Foods (Aust) Pty.