Ben Sutherland
Working as: PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGIST for Mother Earth Foods
Age: 38
Earning: Food Technologists can earn between $30,000 and $100,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
In a nutshell: “My job is to investigate new products, improve existing products and research future demands and opportunities for the Mother Earth brand.”
Why food technology?
“My passion - healthy food options, including snacks. A career in food is exciting and there is never a dull day.”
I work as the technologist for Mother Earth Foods, where we produce a delicious range of healthy bars and other snack foods.
We aim to produce a range of snacks that offer healthier choices for consumers. We have no artificial colours or flavours, low fat, no trans fats, and few, if any, preservatives.
Our emphasis is on nutritional requirements, cost, flavour and a healthier option. With all of this in mind my role is to investigate new products, improve existing products and research future demands and opportunities.
Marketing research is conducted first and then I work from a product brief to develop laboratory samples. I then take these on to factory trials and then full factory production.
Getting into food
Food has been a focus in my life for a number of years now. When I left school I trained as a chef and I’ve gained various practical and professional qualifications.
I’ve always been interested in the scientific and technical aspects of food. How the food looks to consumers, how cooking affects the ingredients and how it can benefit the consumer have always been questions of interest for me.
I studied for a Consumer and Applied Science degree at Otago University, majoring in Food Technology.
As I see it my background makes me ideal for the role of a product development technologist. I’ve worked in other food production plants in Australia and the food science papers I studied at university have been invaluable for my role, enhancing what I learnt through practical experience as a chef.
 Current projects
There are plenty of issues for food technologists to work on. A lot of developed countries are concerned about obesity, and that impacts on packaging, serving size, nutritional information on the labels as well as the ingredients.
In some countries there is a push to remove the high levels of ‘trans fats’ from products like chocolate. We have already removed the “trans fat” from our Mother Earth Muesli bars. Recently I’ve been busy working on the re-launch of the Soft ‘ n’ Chewy Muesli bars (with no artificial flavours or colours) and Fruit Top Muesli Bars.
Advice for others
Having a career in food is exciting and there is never a dull day. Working for Mother Earth means you can combine a passion for food and a concern for healthy living.
The future for a food technologist could include management roles, project management, roles at other food production plants both in New Zealand and overseas and maybe technical sales.
If you are passionate about food, get some practical skills and just as importantly gain some understanding about the science of food and food production. The world needs skilled food technologists.
Mother Earth actively supports the World Wildlife Fund. Our website has information about this and other environmental issues at www.motherearthfoods.co.nz .
(Profile courtesy of Futureintech – www.futureintech.com).
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Real people talk about their jobs in food science, technology & engineering (courtesy of Futureintech: www.futureintech.com):
  Simon Loveday, Food Research Scientist for The Riddet Institute, Palmerston North.
 Wendy Robinson, Senior Food Technologist for NZ's largest ice cream manufacturer, Tip Top Ice-Cream, Auckland.
 Harriet Gibbs, Process Manager for multinational dairy processor Fonterra, Edendale, Southland.
 Bronwyn Hawker, Food Technologist with innovative beverage manufacturer Frucor, Auckland.
 Michelle Lucke, Process Improvement Technologist for prepared foods manufacturer, Heinz Watties, Tomoana, Hastings.
 Ben Sutherland, Product Development Technologist for healthy snack manufacturer Mother Earth Foods, Auckland.
 Anna Smith, Development Technologist for milk and dairy foods processor Fonterra Brands NZ.
 Melanie Wong, Food technologist/QA Manager for meat processor and exporter ANZCO Foods Green Island, near Dunedin.
 Rachel Johns, Product Development Technologist for iconic prepared foods manufacturer Heinz Wattie's, Hastings.
 John Evans, Operations Manager for drinks manufacturer Phoenix Organics, Auckland.
 Penny Hosking, Technical Manager for buttercup squash processor and exporter Southmark Quality Foods, Hastings.
 Emily Choi, Product Development Technologist for prepared foods manufacturer Heinz Wattie's, Hastings.
 Tracey Petley-Hibbs, Process Technologist for sweetmaker, Nestlé Confectionery, Auckland.
 Andrew Hutton, Product Development Technologist for prepared foods manufacturer Heinz Wattie's, Hastings.
 Debbie Curtis, Chocolate Technologist for international chocolatemaker, Cadbury, Dunedin.
 Jonelle Taylor, Senior Product Development Technologist for Fresh 'n' Fruity yoghurt manufacturer Fonterra Brands, Auckland.
 Yvette Temple, Senior Product Developer for biscuit manufacturer Griffins, Auckland.
More profiles of careers in food technology at Futureintech: www.futureintech.com. | |
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