Product Development Manager - SEA

Position Description We are Fonterra, one of the world's largest dairy nutrition companies.

At Fonterra, you'll be inspired by purpose and guided by principles. Whether you're based in New Zealand or anywhere else around the world, you'll be part of a team that creates goodness for generations and delivers global impact through local action. Our brands are trusted by families and individuals alike, delivering high-quality dairy nutrition to millions of people globally.

As a Co‑operative created and owned by New Zealand dairy farmers, our collaboration, innovation, and passion have enabled us to share the goodness of our dairy with the world. We're committed to caring for the land, our animals, and every drop of milk, producing nutritious food with safe, quality ingredients loved in New Zealand and around the world.

As part of the Fonterra Co‑op, you'll be solving for a better future alongside a team connected by solid values as we strive to be a leader in dairy sustainability, dairy innovation and science, with a focus on New Zealand milk.

When you join Fonterra, you'll open yourself to a career of opportunities where you can grow with us by developing your skills, sharing your knowledge, and exploring diverse career paths that ignite your passions.

About the role Reporting to the Senior Product Development Manager (SEA), you will deliver New Product Development (NPD) initiatives for the SEA region, ensuring timely and cost‑effective execution of innovation projects aligned with business growth objectives.

Key Accountabilities Product Development & Scale up

Drive the development of new products by leading formulation, prototyping, and sensory testing. Oversee processing trials to validate product performance under manufacturing conditions and ensure smooth scale‑up from pilot to commercial production.

Project Management Understanding

Good understanding of project management to ensure the smooth execution of technical product development

Lab & equipment management

Manage the product development laboratory and associated equipment to ensure operational efficiency and compliance with safety standards, include maintaining equipment calibration, scheduling preventive maintenance, and ensuring proper documentation of usage and cleaning protocols.

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure all products comply with SEA food regulatory requirements and internal quality standards. This involves working closely with regulatory teams to secure necessary approvals, maintain accurate documentation, and proactively address compliance risks throughout the development process.

Stakeholder Management

Collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams including Marketing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations to align on project goals and deliverables.

Facilitate clear communication and decision‑making to ensure seamless execution of NPD initiatives.

External Partnerships

Manage relationships with external stakeholders such as suppliers, co‑manufacturers, and technical service providers.

Negotiate and coordinate activities to ensure timely delivery of materials, technical support, and production capabilities required for successful product launches.

Critical Skills & Experiences

Degree in Food technology, Food science & Engineering or Dairy / Chemical Science

Minimum 8 to 10 years experience in product development, with a strong track record in New Product Development (NPD) and product launches, particularly within dairy categories such as processed cheese, milk fats, and UHT creams.

Strong understanding of dairy knowledge with formulation and/or processing skills.

Skilled at managing multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.

Ability to navigate uncertainty & complexity well.

Proficient in influencing, adapting, and collaborating across diverse teams, with the ability to build trust and operate effectively within a multi‑market stakeholder landscape across Southeast Asia.

Action‑oriented with a critical thinking mindset; a strong planner and executor who transforms ideas into tangible results.

Are you excited about this opportunity but may only meet some requirements?

At Fonterra, we are committed to building a diverse workplace and, therefore, open to looking at applicants with excellent transferable skills. If that's you, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or one of our other opportunities.

Or join our Talent Community by clicking here , to be notified about new and relevant job opportunities.

The benefits of life at Fonterra Our people and what they bring to our Co‑op shape our success. We have a collaborative culture, inspiring leaders, and passionate people, making Fonterra a great place to work. We also offer competitive remuneration and a range of benefits, regardless of your role or location.

Fonterra is a place where everyone can be themselves, feel empowered to do their best, and are empowered to create goodness for generations.

Sound good to you? Come and join us, and let's solve for better, together. You, me, us together.

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