Are you passionate about food innovation and love seeing your ideas on supermarket shelves?
Join one of New Zealand’s most iconic food manufacturers and bring your creativity to life in a role that spans concept through to commercialisation.
About Us
At Walter & Wild, we’re proud to be one of New Zealand’s leading food manufacturers, with a portfolio that includes some of the country’s most iconic brands: Hubbards, Hansells, Horleys, Aunt Betty’s, Vitafresh & Vitasport, Greggs, Alfa One, Movenpick (NZ & AU), Killinchy Gold, NZ Natural, Zilch, Chateau and I Love Food Co.
Our manufacturing site is based in Masterton and specialises in the contract packing of dry powders and liquid products. We’re proud to produce some of New Zealand’s most recognisable and loved brands and work across a wide range of products and partner with local and international customers in a fast-paced, ever-evolving market, right in the heart of the Wairarapa – one of the country’s fastest growing and most beautiful regions. Think world-class vineyards, unspoilt beaches, stunning landscapes, long hot summers, and a welcoming community — all just over an hour from Wellington.
About the Role
As our Product Development Technologist, you’ll be at the centre of exciting innovation projects, leading new product development from concept through to launch. You’ll collaborate with customers, suppliers, and internal teams to bring ideas to life, while also driving continuous improvement across our product range and production processes. This is a hands-on, fast-moving role that offers true variety — one day you’ll be trialling a new formulation, and the next you’ll be troubleshooting on the factory floor or liaising with a customer on a new brief.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop new food products across liquid and dry formats — from initial concept through formulation, trials, costing, and launch
- Liaise with customers, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure smooth and timely project delivery
- Prepare product samples and technical documentation for both internal and external stakeholders
- Work closely with our technical and quality teams to ensure all products meet company, customer, and regulatory standards (including FSANZ)
- Identify and implement product and process improvements to optimise quality, efficiency, and innovation
What You’ll Bring
- A tertiary qualification in Food Technology, Food Science or a related discipline
- Hands-on product development experience in a food manufacturing environment
- A sound understanding of NZ food regulations and quality systems
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across all levels of the business
- Initiative, adaptability, and a practical mindset — someone who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced team
If you're excited by food innovation, love the idea of working on well-known brands, and are ready for a new challenge in a beautiful regional setting — we’d love to hear from you.