Product Development Manager

Job Description :

Who are we:

With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, we’re the world’s leading premium drinks company. From global icons like Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Tanqueray to local favourites like Bundaberg Rum, Mr Black & Ello, we create brands consumers love. Bring your passion and use your curiosity as you explore, collaborate and innovate. Together with passionate people from all over the world, you’ll test new ideas, learn and grow, and unlock a brighter, more exciting future.

Join us to create a career worth celebrating.

About the Function:

Innovation is where new ideas take shape, and where we challenge what our brands can become next.

From evolving existing products to creating something entirely new, this team works across markets and disciplines to push boundaries and turn fresh thinking into real experiences.

It’s a space for people who are curious, open to experimentation and comfortable with trying, learning and refining as they go.

If you’re excited by the idea of shaping what comes next, and seeing it brought to life, you’ll feel at home here.

About the Role:

The Product Development Manager leads end-to-end technical product development for Diageo Australia’s innovation, renovation and brand change agenda, bringing together both liquid formulation and packaging development into one integrated capability. This role is responsible for developing and commercialising products that are brand-right, consumer-relevant, technically robust and ready to scale across the market.

With primary product development ownership for Bundaberg Rum, you will play a key role in protecting the brand’s liquid integrity, packaging identity and consumer experience, while partnering closely with Innovation, Marketing, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, Manufacturing and external partners to bring new and improved products to life.

Role Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end liquid and packaging development across innovation, renovation, sustainability, cost optimisation and brand change projects, from concept and brief through to launch and post-launch review.
• Own technical development activities including formulation, ingredient and material selection, packaging design, lab and line trials, sensory validation, stability testing, specification management, scale-up and first production support.
• Act as the Product Development Owner for Bundaberg Rum, ensuring liquid and packaging decisions protect brand character, quality, consistency and consumer experience.
• Partner with Brand, Commercial, Innovation and cross-functional stakeholders to translate consumer and business needs into technically feasible, compliant and cost-effective product solutions.
• Lead technical commercialisation and launch readiness by ensuring formulas, packaging materials, specifications, trial outcomes, supplier readiness, master data and production requirements are in place ahead of launch.
• Ensure all product development activity meets Diageo’s quality, regulatory, food safety, sustainability and technical standards, while finding opportunities to improve materials, ingredients, recyclability and product performance.
• Lead and develop Liquid and Packaging Development teams, building capability, strengthening ways of working and driving continuous improvement across trials, specifications, supplier collaboration and technical delivery.

Experience / Skills Required:

• Strong experience in product development, liquid development, packaging development, beverage formulation, packaging engineering or related technical roles within FMCG, beverage, food or consumer goods environments.
• Proven experience leading technical development from concept through to commercialisation, including trials, scale-up, launch readiness and first production support.
• Strong understanding of formulation, packaging specifications, sensory evaluation, stability testing, technical documentation and supplier or manufacturing trial processes.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Marketing, Commercial, Innovation, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, Manufacturing, Planning, Finance and external suppliers or co-packers.
• Strong knowledge of quality, food safety, regulatory and technical compliance requirements in beverage, food or FMCG manufacturing.
• Demonstrated people leadership capability, with experience coaching and developing technical specialists or cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to translate technical complexity into clear business recommendations and practical product solutions.

Flexible Working:

Flexibility is key to our success. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you, so that you’re supported to manage your wellbeing and balance your priorities from day one.

Rewards & Benefits:

At Diageo, we offer more than just a role— we offer an environment where you can thrive, grow and be recognised for your impact.

• Competitive reward – Market-leading salary, performance-driven bonus and industry perks
• Flexible ways of working – Hybrid working with no set office days, empowering you to balance work and life in a way that works for you
• Industry-leading family leave – Generous paid parental leave for all parents, along with support for life’s key moments
• Health & wellbeing – Comprehensive support including mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives and employee assistance programmes
• Career growth – Access to global opportunities, leading learning programmes and clear pathways for development
• Inclusive culture – A values-led, inclusive environment where you can bring your whole self to work
• Product perks – Employee discounts and experiences across our iconic portfolio

Commitment to Inclusion & Diversity:

Our purpose is to celebrate life, every day, everywhere. And creating an inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and that they can belong, is a crucial part of this.

We embrace diversity in the broadest possible sense. This means that you’ll be welcomed and celebrated for who you are just by being you. You’ll be part of and help build and champion an inclusive culture that celebrates people of different gender, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, social class, educational backgrounds, experiences, mindsets, and more.

Our ambition is to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world. Join us and help transform our business as we take our brands to new heights and build new ones as part of shaping the next generation of celebrations for consumers around the world.

At Diageo, we pride ourselves on our fast paced, bold and agile culture. In order to ensure we’re supporting the performance ambitions of our team, applications for this role will close 21 days after posting.

Worker Type :

Regular

Primary Location:

Huntingwood

Additional Locations :

Job Posting Start Date :

2026-07-08