Application Group Manager

**Position Snapshot**

Location: Cambria Park, Wiri, Auckland
Duration: Full time, Permanent
8+ years’ experience in a similar role

**Position Summary**

Joining Nestlé means you are joining the largest Food and Beverage Company in the world. At our very core, we are a human environment - passionate people driven by the purpose of enhancing the quality of life and contributing to a healthier future.

Opportunity currently exists for an Applications Group Manager to join and lead the Applications team based in our Cambria Park Factory. Based in Wiri, this role will lead and develop a team of local category specialists to provide expertise and support to the factory within the given framework and in line with local business priorities:
**Introduce New (IN)**:

- Innovation, Renovation & customisation of products
- Support ideation & Consumer Insight work
- Provide expert support during Industrialisation
- Drive Label, nutritional, kitchen cupboard and regulatory compliance in projects

**Operate Existing (OE)**:

- Support implementation of Manufacturing Standards (NWSM)
- Implement Category Competencies into the factory
- Provide Expert Support
- Deliver process, cost & sustainability optimisation projects
- Perform local recipe and material management activities for the category

**A day in the life**

Reporting to the Business Application Manager, key responsibilities include but not limited to:

- Review and contribute to the Innovation & renovation briefs for locally managed projects.
- Lead and support translation of consumer insight into product attributes and driving Manufacturing excellence.
- Lead & Support team in customization and localization of recipe and packaging design and detail raw materials and packaging specifications requirements.
- Develop solution and implement Nestle Sustainability commitments / requirements as per Business Sustainability Roadmap and Carbon Glide Path plan.
- Embed Sustainability choices into all projects and manufacturing decisions: Review Raw materials contributions to carbon impact and reduce where possible the carbon footprint of selected products with higher carbon impacts.
- Coordinate adequate resources to “Deploy” new products and technologies aligned with business priorities. Provide technical expertise and local business insight to project team.
- Support implementation of standards with expertise Implements standards into factory.
- Consolidate and coordinate feedback to the CTCU/CTAG regarding standard effectiveness
- Identify opportunities for standardisation and perform product and process competency building for the Factory team.
- Support knowledge transfer between the R&D (incl TCU’s & CTAG) and AG community.
- Provide resources and support for improvement activities and projects (e.g. Process optimization Team, Performance Acceleration Team)
- Lead and support TDC / Simplex initiatives (e.g. IBO’s) to refill savings pipelines & feed potential growth opportunities into Business NPD pipelines.

**What will make you successful**
- Joining a collaborative team of specialists, you will be a strong leader with a drive to deliver on time, cost and with the right quality outcomes.
- Technical education background, University degree or equivalent (e.g., Food Science, Process Engineering, Food Engineering, Packaging Engineering)
- 8+ years of strong category experience in Operations and R&D.
- A solid food industry experience (as a R&D, Application Group, Production Manager or similar) Culinary experience desirable
- Project Management experience involving a range of projects of varying size and complexity
- Proven capability of developing and leading people.
- Proven track record in delivering results by working with cross-functional teams.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills and a proven capacity to influence and negotiate to drive high standards of performance and quality.

**Applicants will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, including but not limited to health checks, prior to appointment to this role.**

**Applicants must have full New Zealand working rights**

**Benefits**

You will have the chance to work with an outstanding and highly engaged team, build and grow your career with an inclusive, global FMCG leader.

In addition, we offer:

- Varied career experiences and personalised development support
- Wellbeing benefits including vaccinations and health insurance discounts
- Diversity & Inclusion initiatives and program
- Paid parental and partner leave
- Purchase Leave Scheme
- Volunteering leave, Sports leave, Emergency Services leave
- Discounted Nestlé products

**Our Story**
- Nestlé enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s largest FMCG companies and a leader in nutrition, health and wellness. Our inclusive and high-performance culture is a testament to the great training, development, rewards and recognition we extend to every member of our 5000-strong Oceania workforce.
- You can realise your full pote