Development Project Manager | Mon to Fri 38 hours | Balcatta Support Centre

Company Description

Sodexo is a people business, employing over 400,000 people worldwide and thousands in Australia. Our hospitality all-rounders play a key role in keeping our sites functioning and well-maintained for village residents' safety, comfort and well-being. Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater because we believe our everyday actions have a big impact.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Development Project Manager to lead the delivery of the product and process development program for Sodexo Australia's new Culinary Centre of Excellence (CCoE).

This is a fixed-term project position responsible for coordinating a multidisciplinary team through a structured program of food product development, manufacturing trials, process validation and operational readiness activities.

Working closely with the Food Platform Director and broader CCoE project team, the role will oversee the development of manufacturing components, recipes, technical specifications and operational procedures required to support the successful commissioning of the new facility.

The program involves multiple product categories, including sous vide proteins, sliced meats, sauces, meat-based sauces and prepared vegetables. Development activities will be undertaken within a dedicated pre-commissioning testing environment before transitioning into the CCoE.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of the CCoE Product & Process Development Program.
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, milestones, resource plans and deliverables.
• Coordinate manufacturing trials, product development activities and technical validation requirements.
• Manage the day-to-day activities and priorities of the multidisciplinary development team.
• Ensure efficient utilisation of testing facilities, equipment, ingredients and project resources.
• Monitor project progress, expenditure, risks, dependencies and delivery against agreed milestones.
• Coordinate the procurement of ingredients, packaging, consumables and specialist services required for development activities.
• Work closely with culinary, food technology, quality, supply chain, operations and ERP stakeholders to ensure alignment across project workstreams.
• Ensure trial outcomes, technical specifications, recipes and operational documentation are completed and appropriately recorded.
• Identify and resolve project constraints, escalate significant risks and recommend practical solutions.
• Coordinate product evaluations, technical reviews and stakeholder approvals.
• Provide regular progress reports and recommendations to the Food Platform Director and CCoE project governance team.
• Support the transition of validated products, processes and documentation into facility commissioning and operational readiness.

This is a practical, delivery-focused role suited to someone who enjoys managing complex development programs, coordinating technical specialists and translating project plans into measurable outcomes.

Qualifications

You will bring demonstrated experience in project management within food manufacturing, food technology, product development or a closely related industry.

A background in food manufacturing or technical product development will be particularly valuable, enabling you to understand the practical challenges associated with manufacturing trials, process optimisation and commercial scale-up.

You will also have:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Food Science, Food Technology, Project Management, Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving multiple technical disciplines and stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of food manufacturing processes, product development and commercial production environments.
• Experience coordinating product trials, manufacturing process development or scale-up activities.
• Strong project planning, scheduling, budgeting and resource management capabilities.
• Ability to identify risks, manage dependencies and resolve operational challenges.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication and reporting skills.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and maintain accountability for project deliverables.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach and confidence working in a changing project environment.
• Proficiency in project management and reporting tools.

Experience in new food manufacturing facility development, commissioning, process validation or operational mobilisation would be highly regarded.

Additional Information

Why Join Sodexo?

• Competitive pay and job security in an essential services industry.
• Access to 100+ retail discounts and multiple salary packaging options.
• Great teamwork and a solid group of people around you!
• Opportunities for training and career progression within Sodexo.

Apply Now

Ready to start your next adventure? Submit your resume outlining your experience and availability. If shortlisted, one of our recruiters will contact you for a phone interview to answer your questions and share more about the role.