NPD TECHNOLOGIST

Founded in 1927, KENT WORLDWIDE is a family-owned US company built around specialty ingredients and consumer brands. Over the years, the business has become known around the world for our strength in manufacturing and marketing. At Kent Consumer Brands APAC, our ambition is to create joyful memories every day, for everybody, around the world. 

For nearly a century, our core values of Honesty, Quality, Safety, Timeliness, Win-Win Partnerships and Curiosity have shaped our culture and long-term success. We are a fast-growing, values-driven organisation with a strong portfolio of trusted brands including Frosty Boy, Sqwincher, Breeder’s Choice and World’s Best Cat Litter. 

With multiple manufacturing sites across Australia and the US and products sold in more than 70 countries, we are proud to employ hundreds of people who are passionate about quality, sustainability and innovation. Joining us means being part of a supportive, growth-oriented business that invests in its people, its brands and its future.  

Bring new ideas to life in a hands-on product development role spanning pet treats, pet supplements, bird seed and cat litter. Working within our Research & Development team, you will collaborate across the business and with external partners to support products from initial brief and formulation through trials, testing, packaging and launch. 

This is a great opportunity for an early-career technologist who enjoys variety, practical problem-solving and seeing products progress from concept to market. 

What you’ll be doing 

• Review customer and internal briefs and support new product formulations, ingredient research and competitor reviews. 

• Prepare for and participate in production trials, capturing accurate data, equipment settings, outcomes and next steps. 

• Coordinate trial requests and pre- and post-trial activities with R&D, Operations, Quality and Planning. 

• Manage product samples, specifications and chemical, microbiological and sensory testing. 

• Support product labelling, claims validation and artwork reviews to meet customer, regulatory and business requirements. 

• Work with customers and suppliers on artwork, packaging requirements and print-ready files. 

• Prepare accurate product documentation, including batch sheets, trial reports, product codes and internal and customer specifications. 

• Partner with Quality to support product safety, shelf-life, testing and compliance requirements.  

About you 

• Some experience in Pet Food or Animal Nutrition is preferable 

• A minimum experience of 3 years with exposure to product development, manufacturing, laboratory work and/or quality would be beneficial 

• A basic understanding of packaging is desirable. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail. 

• Confidence making sound decisions and knowing when to seek advice or escalate an issue. 

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across multiple teams and priorities. 

• A proactive, accountable and resilient approach to learning and delivering results.  

Why join us? 

• Build broad, end-to-end experience across a diverse portfolio of consumer products. 

• Work closely with experienced R&D and cross-functional teams in a practical manufacturing environment. 

• Contribute directly to products from concept through to commercial launch. 

• Join a collaborative team where innovation, accountability and continuous learning are encouraged.  

Apply now 

If you are keen to grow your product development career and help bring innovative products to market, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role.