Product Innovation & Procurement Manager

Great Place to Work Certified™

Product Innovation & Procurement Manager

Reports to: Director, Innovation & Franchisee Financial Health

Location: Vancouver, BC

COBS Bread is looking for a passionate and strategic Product Innovation & Procurement Manager to work alongside marketing, supply chain, operations and other support teams to drive the COBS Bread product strategy. This position will delight COBS customers by leading the charge which will see the team add new products to the COBS Bread range and deliver improvements to existing products and processes. The Product Innovation & Procurement Manager will lead the Product team to design and monitor testing, trial, and implementation of recipe innovations that will influence flavors, enhance efficiency, improve customer experience and drive sales and profit growth across COBS Bread’s bakeries, nationwide.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the product lifecycle strategy including conceptualization, design, trial, creation and evaluation of new concepts, recipes, and products for targeted markets or customers
• Engaging with franchisees to identify opportunities for quality and profit improvement across the existing COBS Bread range
• As a leader in COBS’ cross-functional Innovation Team, develop and drive strategy that will fulfil COBS Bread’s product pipeline and deliver excitement for COBS’ customers
• Stay abreast of trends and developments within the industry, channels, and techniques that will keep the brand in the forefront and deliver sales and profit results to COBS Bread franchisees
• Building key relationships with strategic suppliers to source new ingredients and vendors, and working closely with colleagues in our Canadian, US and Australian supply chain teams on RFPs, negotiations and product procurement
• Leading Product Innovation strategy within the Product and Innovation teams

Requirements

What You Bring to the Table:

• Experience in Retail, Consumer Packaged Goods and/or Franchising is an asset
• 10+ years’ proven experience in baking or food product development, preferably within the retail, hospitality or manufacturing industries
• Extensive experience and passion for development of recipes, flavour, cost, and nutritional elements
• Ability to work flexible schedule depending on the operational needs such as product testing and review
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including experience presenting ideas to corporate and front-line retail and production teams
• Must have a valid driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle
• Understanding of baking or food preparation techniques and knowledge of ingredients functionality, product evaluation, health and nutrition, food manufacturing processes, microbiology, quality assurance principles, and market research principles
• Ability to travel occasionally across Canada and internationally as required
• Adept in Microsoft 365 suite of products, including Outlook, Word and Excel
• Experience in developing strategy and driving teams to execute to meet annual and longer term business goals
• Strong project management skills in overseeing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines with a sense of urgency

Benefits

What’s in it for You:

Not only do we have fresh COBS Bread product delivered daily to our Vancouver Support Office, we offer some pretty sweet perks too!

• Work within a dynamic, driven, high-achieving, close-knit and fun-loving team
• Complimentary self-serve kitchen of fresh produce, deli meats and of course, COBS Bread and treats!
• A flexible work arrangement and a one-time work from home reimbursement to ensure you're set up for success
• Monthly cellphone reimbursement
• Paid day for community service or volunteer opportunity
• Competitive salary and vacation plan
• Subsidized wellness program and an on-site gym facility
• Paid sick, mental health and personal leave days
• A great Extended Health & Dental Benefit, Group RRSP Matching, and Health Spending Account
• High level of autonomy and responsibility
• An open, ‘continuous-learning’ environment where professional development and career progression is encouraged

We thank all applicants for their interest in COBS Bread but would like to advise that only applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.

About COBS Bread

With over 160 locations, COBS Bread serves fresh and delightful baked goods to communities across Canada. Any unsold items are donated daily to various local charities and food banks. The company's success can be attributed to the quality of our product, the development of our people and our warm and friendly customer service.

COBS Bread is part of Bakers Delight – Established in 1980 operating as Bakers Delight in Australia and New Zealand, and since 2003 as COBS Bread in Canada and the USA. Together we have grown to more than 700 bakeries across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. The entire network employs over 15,000 people, serving more than 2.1 million customers each week.

Accessibility

Accommodation is available upon request for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise us of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.