Senior Product Development Specialist

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Product Optimization, the Sr. Product Development Specialist is responsible for the development and commercialization of new and enhancement of existing products that meet our pillars of Cost, Quality, Service, Environment and Safety.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead product development and plant trials. Prepare samples for customers and internal presentation. Coordinate distribution of sample;
• Collaborate with marketing and sales to provide technical support, clarify product requirements, and support product launch. Conduct product evaluation of competitive products;
• Work with Purchasing and suppliers to source and test ingredients and packaging. Source alternate suppliers of existing dry goods and/or raw materials. Conduct research and testing of new ingredients, process techniques and packaging technologies.
• Manage scale up trials and production launches ensuring plants are trained and products meet yield and quality standards;
• Develop product specifications and standard operating procedures; product formulation, process and critical to quality product specifications. Assist with creating and maintaining customer specifications;
• Work with Quality Assurance on preparation and production of samples and their testing; nutritional analysis, shelf life studies;

Requirements:

• Analytical ability; methodical/critical thinker and problem solver; attention to detail
• Curiosity and drive to ask questions to understand multiple facets of the business and apply to projects
• Ability to work in and lead a team
• Lead continuous improvement projects
• A minimum of 5 years in product development or related field
• Travel to out of city and occasional travel to out of province facilities
• Post-secondary education in Food Science, Science, Engineering, Culinary or related field
• Computer literacy (MS Office)