Food Technologist

at  Massey University

Food Technologist
Position Purpose: The purpose of this position is to assist in the research and development of new
food products and food ingredients, and in particular development of products
and technologies on industry funded projects and for commercialisation.
Department: Riddet Institute
Location: Palmerston North
Reports to: Food Innovation Manager
Responsible for: Nil.
Delegations: Nil.
Job Title: Technologist
Key relationships: Internal External
Relevant Project Leaders Industry clients and partners
Massey University: We are a world-leading university in many academic disciplines and fields of
research. Our point of difference is research that is connected to community and
industry. Our researchers are developing expertise and skills to advance human
knowledge and understanding. Working together across disciplines and
locations, we solve national and global problems through fundamental, applied
and interdisciplinary research, while culturally and artistically enriching our
world.
We are deeply committed to being a Te Tiriti-led university, demonstrating
authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand as we uphold Te
Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of our nation, and its principles through
our practice. We embrace this not just as an obligation but as a real opportunity
for the nation and its people.
Our educators are preparing a new generation of global leaders. Our students
are diverse and are attracted to Massey because they want to achieve their
personal goals or make their mark in the world. They experience world-class
learning that recognises their intellectual and cultural strengths, expands their
horizons and prepares them to contribute to a rapidly transforming world with
skills, critical and creative thinking and leadership.
We will be renowned for our passion and caring attitude. All Massey campuses
will be innovation ecosystems, acting as magnets for smart enterprises.
Wherever we are, we will operate in partnerships founded on respect, trust and
mutual benefit. Massey is not only defined by what we do, but by how we do it.
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About this area The Riddet Institute is a world-best research centre in food and nutritional
sciences, providing fundamental scientific understanding and training for a new
generation of science leaders. The Riddet Institute Centre of Research
Excellence (CoRE) integrates partner organisations (Massey University (host),
Auckland and Otago Universities, AgResearch and Plant & Food Research) and
disciplines, leading a “NZ Inc” approach to food research, and generates
knowledge and capability that transforms the New Zealand food industry.
Massey core capabilities

At Massey we are Tiriti-led, upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles through our practice, we:

• Demonstrate awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand society
• Understand the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the work of the University and the

people we serve.

• Embracing Te Reo in relevant and practical ways in our workplace interactions and engagement with

external stakeholders, giving expression to Tikanga Māori and protocols that demonstrates that we
respect and value Māori conventions in appropriate settings.

At Massey we work together with mutual respect and caring. we:

• Act with integrity and trustworthiness and give credit to others for the work they do.
• Work cooperatively and inter-dependently to foster and promote the One University approach
• Share knowledge and communicate professionally with courtesy and mutual respect.
• Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.
• Are direct, truthful and maintain confidentiality.
• Seek to understand and appreciate our differences.
• Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.
• Are direct, truthful and maintain confidentiality.
• Seek to understand and appreciate our differences
• Keep ourselves and others safe; work together to embrace with the University’s health, safety and

wellbeing policies, procedures and programmes; display commitment by actively supporting all safety
and wellbeing initiatives: and by actively engaging in health and safety improvement opportunities.

At Massey we are future-focused, results- oriented and strive for excellence. we:

• Take ownership and responsibility for delivering results to support achievement of University

objectives.

• Provide the best quality services to our customers (internal and external) ensuring our students/

stakeholders are at the heart of everything we do.

• Deliver or support world-class research, teaching and learning and citizenship.
• Take personal responsibility for our performance, take pride in doing our job well, and commit to

ongoing personal and professional development

• Are motivated and create a positive working environment where our values are reinforced.
• Anticipate and respond with agility and resilience to the changing needs of the University and the

communities we serve.

• Seek ways to improve our services to deliver in an efficient and effective way.
• Embrace technology and apply this innovatively to better meet the needs of those we serve.
• Challenge ourselves to reach our potential and help bring out the best in others.
• Understand how what we do contributes to the objectives of the University.

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Accountabilities
Research and • Coordination and execution of development projects from proposal stage
Development Delivery through to completion in an accurate, professional and timely manner,
ensuring the final outputs are on time and meet all requirements (including
any agreed client requirements, Health and Safety and necessary MPI

compliance regulations as relevant).

• Maintain and record accurate project information.
• Uphold professional conduct and timely communications with all

stakeholders.

• Cultivate and maintain relevant working relationships across Massey

University and its research partners to develop a support and expertise

network for the various projects undertaken.

• Proactively resolve day to day issues affecting any projects and keep your

supervisor informed of any significant changes or problems that may arise

which will affect goals or that will affect Massey University’s reputation.

• Support research projects undertaken by the Riddet Institute or its

collaborators in the development of food products/formats or food

technologies, where required.

• Uphold Massey University’s reputation through professional conduct at all

times.
Teamwork • Where required, deputise/cover for team colleagues, covering
meetings/communication, projects and trials to ensure that the day to day

activities are preserved.

• Contribute to and participate in communication processes with peer group

and/or management to ensure that the school and/or Food Innovation Team
(all Stakeholders) has a clear understanding of any development

opportunities and/or challenges facing the team.

• Maintain, and contribute to, a pro-active and positive attitude towards

change and continuous improvement to benefit the Riddet Institute and the
University.
Other Projects and • Maintain standards of food quality, food safety, hygiene and housekeeping

Health and Safety consistent with those set by the University.

• Ensures legislative compliance, (e.g., Department of Labour, HSNO, EPA

Animal and Human Ethics) and appropriate data security.

• Complies with health and safety policies as set by Massey University, and

legislature and at all times, makes safety of themselves and others in the

workplace the priority.

• Any other duties as required by the Associate Director Operations (or

nominee).
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Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications: Relevant tertiary qualification in food science and/or technology is preferred
Experience: • Sound knowledge on a broad range of aspects of food technology including
processing technologies, ingredients, product development, shelf life and

sensory.

• Experience in working in a multi-disciplinary team on complex projects.
• At least two years’ experience in a food technology role is desirable,

preferably in or with industry involving food processing, product and/or

process development.

• Proven skills and experience using the Microsoft Office suite of products.

Capabilities - Behaviour
Communication • Communicates clearly and concisely.
Essential • Proactively works to build and maintain internal and external relationships and

networks to share knowledge and achieve goals.

• Understands limits of own authority and knows when to consult or inform

others.

• Develops a clear, complete understanding of needs and problems through

careful listening, probing, reflecting, and summarising.
Collaboration • Works effectively with a wide range of people.

Essential • Sets and models a culture that leverages differences and supports diversity.

• Works co-operatively with other team members to meet collective goals or

performance milestones.

• Ability to work collaboratively with other research groups and industry.

Time • Takes responsibility for effective and timely completion of own work.
Management • Demonstrates project management skills to complete projects on time and
Essential within budget.
Attitude • Behaves in a fair, honest, consistent and ethical manner

Essential • Challenges unacceptable, unethical behaviour.

• Honours work commitments.
• Respects confidentiality.

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Capabilities - Technical
Technical • Demonstrates a logical approach to problem solving.

Essential • Ability to write technical reports and research papers.

• Creative thinker, inquisitive, is able to visualize and describe innovative ideas and

solutions.

• Able to interpret, evaluate and analyse data, information and processes to

support outcomes and make feasible proposals or recommendations.
Pre-employment checks
Pre-employment checks: • Requirement to pass a Qualifications Validation Check.
Essential • Requirement to pass a Criminal and Traffic convictions (Security) check.

Please refer the Job description for details