R&D Technologist

  • All Posting Locations: Hastings, Hawke's Bay, NZ
  • Job Functions: Research & Development
  • Date Published: July 25, 2025
  • Ref#: R-94431

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An office with Kraft Heinz product images on the wall
a 4 pack of raspberry jell-o

About the Role

Job Description

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands

Summary

To undertake Research & Development to deliver new and optimized food products meeting business objectives and delivering to consumer expectation in regards to quality, safety and preference. 

Perform assigned tasks in accordance with all Heinz Food Safety, Environmental, Health and Safety and ethical and human resources policies, programs and goals. This is a contract position to end December 2026.

Key responsibilities

  • Product Development: Develop new and renovate existing products and processes to deliver projects that meet quality, cost, and time expectations, ensuring compliance with legal, food safety, and business standards.

  • Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership to drive project completion, set objectives and timelines, manage risks, and align stakeholders to deliver profitable projects that protect KraftHeinz's innovation.

  • Project Management: Deliver projects on time, quality, and cost, with accurate and timely completion of product and project documentation, including costings, BOMs, and specifications.

  • Business and Category Understanding: Drive growth and cost-saving opportunities using commercial acumen and category knowledge, staying aware of global trends and new technology developments.

  • Technical Support and Guidance: Provide technical support to Manufacturing and Procurement, and input to QRMP and other business quality programs, engaging in trouble shooting and supply continuity challenges as required.

  • Innovation and Improvement: Contribute new ideas for new products, cost-saving, and quality improvement, using technical and sensory category knowledge to identify opportunities.

  •  Risk Management: Identify and manage business and technical project risks, developing mitigation plans and aligning stakeholders on project status and risks.

  • Quality and Compliance: Ensure all products, processes, and labels comply with legal, food safety, and business standards, assisting with the development and management of applicable quality standards as required.

  • Project activities: technical feasibility, prototype development, ingredient review, factory trials, product specification, compliance to business and regulatory standards, product shelf life

About you

  • Experience in food industry, preferably in product development

  • Tertiary qualification in relevant science/engineering field, preferably food technology

  • Advance knowledge in Excel, Word, Powerpoint

  • Understanding of the FSANZ Food Standards code and food labelling requirements

  • Understanding of interactions between ingredients, additives, recipes, processes and packaging types

  • Understanding and high level of competence in all elements of the product development cycle including consumer insight interpretation, ideation to concept development, technical feasibility, factory implementation and product launch.

  • Good project management, planning and organisation skills.

  • Maintains consumer and quality focus, balancing risk and reward.

  • Problem solver, attention to detail and strategic thinker

About us

  • Hybrid Working – Flexibility around when and where you work

  • Pay for Performance – industry leading variable compensation offerings tied to company and individual performance on top of a competitive base salary package

  • Parental Leave

  • Leave Options – Purchased leave, volunteer leave

Location(s)

King Street

 

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.

Digital at Kraft Heinz

The
Builders

Our Digital team empowers every aspect of our business.

Discovering what’s next in food using Python, Azure ML and Alteryx. Building and designing apps. Improving our supply chain.

We’re bringing agility to beloved brands across the globe — making life delicious for our customers and communities, today and tomorrow.

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a jar of Kraft Crunchy Peanut Butter

HR at Kraft Heinz

The
Facilitators

People are what makes Kraft Heinz great. Today. And tomorrow.

In Human Resources, we’re finding and developing great talent to continue our legacy. We’re here for every colleague, for their performance and their wellbeing.

Together, we’re helping everyone to grow their own way.

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a jar of Heinz Garlic Sauce

Manufacturing at Kraft Heinz

The
Makers

Our Manufacturing team is a fully-integrated end-to-end supply chain. We’re the backbone of Kraft Heinz. The people behind the products, delivering the highest quality and value.

Whether you’re a seasoned manufacturing veteran or new to the world of plants, there’s tons of opportunity for career growth and development.

NEED ALT
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Marketing at Kraft Heinz

The
Strategizers

Our Marketing team are the voice of our consumers. Connecting the right people, to the right products, with the right messages and campaigns.

We’re the architects of category growth, making sure our brands are front and center — winning the battle for attention in the minds of people everywhere.

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a package of Maxwell House Vanilla Iced Latte foam

R&D at Kraft Heinz

The
Creators

Our Research and Development team creates high-quality products that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Innovation is what gets us up in the morning!

Whether you want to develop your technical skills or grow as a people manager, there’s a place for you here to advance your career.

NEED ALT
a box of Delimex Chicken Taquitos

Sales at Kraft Heinz

The
Connectors

Our Sales team drives multibillion dollar distribution strategies. And we do this across channels and across the whole world!

We thrive wherever consumers can meet iconic and innovative brands — in retail, on-trade, and B2B. We’re the closest people to our customers, getting our products to the right people, in the right places.

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a package of Heinz by Nature tomato mozarella pasta
Collage of Traci

Hear from
our people

“Kraft Heinz doesn’t just talk about their values, they live it every day.”

Traci
Senior Customer Sales Manager

Collage of photos of Michael

Hear from
our people

“The best is yet to come at Kraft Heinz. I’ve experienced the launch of a new purpose, new vision and values. Now I’m seeing all of those things truly take shape and that is very exciting.”

Michael
Associate Director Pension

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Hear from
our people

“The best thing about working at Kraft Heinz are the benefits and opportunities for growth and career development.”

Manetta
Talent acquisition Specialist

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About Us

Kraft Heinz is a global food company with a delicious heritage.  Our emerging and iconic food and beverage brands deliver the best taste, fun, and quality to every table we touch. Worldwide.

We’re on a mission to disrupt not only our own business, but the global food industry. Consumer obsession and unexpected partnerships fuel our progress. As we drive innovation company-wide.

Our people are connected by a culture of ownership, agility and endless curiosity. We believe in being good humans — working to improve our company, communities, and planet.

We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more thrilled about where we’re headed as we nourish the world and lead the future of food.

Why Us

We grow our people to grow our business. We champion great people who bring ambition, curiosity, and high performance to the table as the guardians of our iconic and nostalgic brands.

Good isn’t good enough. We choose greatness every day by making bold decisions and challenging what’s ordinary. All while celebrating our wins – and failures – as we work together to transform the future of food.

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