Research & Development Technologist

The SunRice Group is an Australian ASX-listed branded food group, comprising multiple businesses, assets and operations across Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, the United States, The Pacific Islands and Asia.  SunRice was built by the Australian rice industry over many decades and today is one of Australia’s leading branded food exporters, with approximately 2,000 employees and operations in 11 countries.

SunRice is a great place to work, providing a real opportunity for passionate people to make a difference.

About the role

We’re looking for a driven R&D Product Technologist to join our team on a 12-month fixed-term contract, supporting the development of innovative food products across the ANZ portfolio.

In this hands-on role, you’ll take products from concept through to commercial manufacturing, leading development, trials, validation and scale-up activities. You’ll work cross-functionally to ensure products meet quality, safety, regulatory and commercial requirements, while also contributing to system and process optimisation initiatives.

This is an exciting opportunity for a self-starter who enjoys working at pace, taking ownership, and seeing their ideas come to life on the production line.

We are open to this role being located at either our Sydney or Chadstone offices.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading end-to-end product development and product optimisation projects, from concept through to finished product and commercialisation


• Designing and executing bench, pilot and factory trials, including analysis and validation of results


• Translating consumer, customer and regulatory requirements into robust product and process solutions


• Supporting scale-up activities, first production runs and ongoing manufacturing troubleshooting


• Managing formulations, specifications and technical documentation in line with regulatory and business requirements


• Leading shelf-life validation, risk assessments and change management processes


• Identifying and delivering system and process improvement initiatives across the product lifecycle


• Collaborating with internal teams and external partners, including suppliers and manufacturers, to deliver projects successfully

About You

You’re a hands-on and curious product developer who enjoys turning ideas into commercially successful products. You thrive in environments where you can take ownership, solve problems and deliver outcomes.

Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, you build strong relationships and bring people with you to achieve results.

You will bring:

• A degree in Food Science (or related discipline)


• 3–5 years’ experience in product development within FMCG or food manufacturing


• Strong experience in experimental design, trials and validation


• Proven ability to manage projects and take ownership from concept to commercialisation


• A proactive, self-starter mindset with the ability to work autonomously


• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills


• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills


• Experience developing new products and optimising existing ranges

Highly regarded:

• Experience in thermal processing (e.g. retort, aseptic, pasteurisation)


• Exposure to continuous improvement initiatives


• Understanding of internal stakeholder and consumer sensory evaluation processes and protocols

What’s in it for you

At SunRice Group, we believe great work starts with feeling supported, valued and inspired. When you join our team, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth and everyday life.

• SunRice Product Allowance: Take home a taste of what we do best. You’ll receive a weekly allowance of SunRice Group products, so you can enjoy and share the food we’re proud to make.


• Leave: Enjoy competitive leave benefits, including volunteer leave and the option to purchase additional leave when you need extra flexibility.


• Wellness Reimbursement: Your wellbeing matters. Twice a year, you’ll be reimbursed for fitness memberships or other health and wellbeing initiatives that help you feel your best

If you enjoy developing products, running trials and seeing your work come to life on the production line, this is a role where you can make a real impact from concept through to commercialisation.

All correspondence will be dealt with in strict confidence.

SunRice is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SunRice will consider qualified applicants for employment based on their merit, individual skills, qualifications and other appropriate criteria relevant to the role for which they are applying.