Food Technologist

Location: Wangara, Perth WA
Employment Type: Full-time
Industry: Food Manufacturing

What The Fresh is a growing food manufacturing business based in Wangara. We produce a wide range of high-quality ready meals and bulk food solutions for retailers, Defence, remote sites and foodservice customers across Western Australia.

Food safety and product quality are at the centre of everything we do. As we continue to grow, we are looking for an experienced Food Technologist who can work closely with our production and management teams to help us maintain high standards, improve our systems and continue developing our products.

This is a hands-on role within our manufacturing facility. You will be working directly with our chefs, production team and management, supporting food safety, quality assurance, compliance, product development and continuous improvement across the business.

We need someone who is comfortable being out on the production floor, understands how food manufacturing works in the real world and can turn technical requirements into clear, practical systems that the whole team can follow.

You will play an important part in ensuring our products are safe, consistent, compliant and produced to the standard our customers expect.

• Maintain and continuously improve our HACCP-based Food Safety Program and quality management systems.

• Monitor production processes and finished products to ensure they meet food safety, quality and product specifications.

• Monitor and verify critical control points, critical limits and all associated food safety records.

• Conduct internal food safety, GMP, hygiene and environmental inspections.

• Identify and investigate non-conformances, production deviations and product quality issues.

• Complete root-cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions.

• Review production, cleaning, sanitation, temperature and quality records.

• Develop, review and maintain SOPs, work instructions, product specifications, forms and quality documentation.

• Ensure raw materials, ingredients, packaging and finished products meet approved specifications.

• Ensure the business remains compliant with the FSANZ Food Standards Code and relevant Australian food legislation.

• Coordinate product sampling and microbiological, chemical and other laboratory testing.

• Review laboratory results and investigate any results that fall outside specification.

• Investigate customer complaints and make sure the appropriate corrective actions are completed.

• Support product traceability, mock recalls, withdrawals and recall procedures.

• Assist with new product development, formulation trials, production trials and improvements to existing products.

• Assist with shelf-life studies, validation and verification activities.

• Evaluate product quality, including appearance, flavour, texture, consistency and overall performance.

• Prepare and maintain finished-product specifications and acceptance criteria.

• Work directly with production teams to improve processes and achieve better product consistency.

• Provide practical food safety and quality training to production employees.

• Assist with customer, regulatory and third-party food safety audits.

• Maintain accurate technical records and prepare quality reports for management.

• Keep up to date with changes to food legislation and provide clear technical advice to management and production teams.

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Technology, Food Science, Dairy Technology or a related discipline.

• Relevant experience within food manufacturing, food technology or quality assurance.

• Strong practical knowledge of HACCP, GMP and food safety management systems.

• A good understanding of FSANZ requirements and Australian food legislation.

• Experience conducting internal audits and managing non-conformances, investigations and corrective actions.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent attention to detail, particularly when it comes to records and documentation.

• The ability to communicate clearly and work effectively with production employees, chefs and management.

• A practical mindset and the confidence to address issues when they arise.

• The ability to take ownership of your responsibilities and follow matters through to completion.

Experience within chilled ready meals, cook-chill manufacturing, vacuum-packed products or a similar food production environment would be highly regarded.

If you are a qualified Food Technologist with relevant food manufacturing experience and you are looking for a practical role where you can make a genuine difference, we would like to hear from you.

Please submit your current resume along with a brief cover letter outlining your qualifications, relevant experience and why you believe you would be a good fit for What The Fresh.