Director - Research and Development

AppleOne, Inc.; Central Ontario; On-site; CAD 145,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

AppleOne, Inc. is seeking a Director - Research and Development for a direct-hire executive role in a manufacturing environment. You will guide product innovation, quality assurance, laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing support from concept through commercialization.

This role targets a hands-on leader who collaborates across departments to influence product strategy and daily execution in a growing manufacturing organization.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in R&D, product development, and quality systems in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience with GMP/ISO and regulatory compliance processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D, product development, quality assurance, lab operations, and regulatory compliance within manufacturing.
• Develop and manage the product innovation roadmap from concept to commercialization.
• Oversee Quality Management Systems, GMP and ISO activities, and testing protocols.
• Act as technical/quality contact for customers, including audits and investigations.
• Drive audits, risk assessments, non-conformance, and CAPA programs.
• Identify funding opportunities and support government grant submissions.

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a Director - Research and Development for a direct hire executive-level opportunity within a manufacturing environment. This role is ideal for a hands-on technical leader who can guide product innovation, quality assurance, laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing support from concept through commercialization.

This is a strong opportunity for a proven R&D, Quality, or Technical leader who enjoys working close to the operation, partnering across departments, and influencing both product strategy and day-to-day execution. The environment is well suited to someone who values collaboration, practical problem solving, accountability, and the ability to make a visible impact in a growing manufacturing organization.

The successful candidate will lead technical and quality teams, strengthen customer confidence, support audits and compliance programs, and drive continuous improvement across product development, lab testing, production trials, and quality systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead R&D, product development, quality assurance, laboratory operations, and regulatory compliance activities within a manufacturing environment.
• Develop and manage the product innovation roadmap, including formulation, prototyping, testing, scale-up, production trials, and commercialization.
• Oversee Quality Management Systems, GMP compliance, ISO certification activities, laboratory testing protocols, product specifications, and quality performance metrics.
• Serve as a key technical and quality contact for customers, including facility tours, customer audits, complaint investigations, and corrective action follow-up.
• Lead audits, risk assessments, root-cause investigations, non-conformance management, and corrective and preventive action programs.
• Identify and manage research funding opportunities, government grant submissions, and R&D tax incentive documentation in coordination with internal stakeholders.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $145,000.00 to $200,000.00 per year.
• Job type: Direct hire.