Product Development Manager

Pacific Coast Fruit Products Ltd.; Agassiz; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food manufacturing industry is seeking a Product Development Manager to lead innovation efforts. This role involves managing a team, developing new products, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree, significant industry experience, and strong leadership skills.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

RSP matching

Extensive group benefits

Annual performance bonus

Employee engagement activities

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in the food industry, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of food processing, ingredient functionality, sensory evaluation, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team, fostering a culture of innovation.
• Develop prototypes and formulations that align with company goals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring new products to market.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Data Analysis

Problem Solving

Education

Master's degree in food science, food technology, or a related field

PhD preferred

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

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Full Job Description

Nestled between the mountains of the Fraser Valley in the center of the agricultural hub of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Pacific Coast Fruit Products (PCFP) was originally built as a frozen berry plant but has since evolved into a highly productive manufacturer of fruit juice concentrates, not From Concentrate (NFC) juices, purees, and pureconcentrates for the food, beverage, and nutraceutical industries. Through teamwork and innovation, we process millions of pounds of berries from the Fraser Valley and around the world. Pacific Coast Fruits Products not only produces quality ingredients but also contributes to the local food economy while helping to establish food security, both at home and abroad. Pacific Coast Fruit Products is one of the Fraser Valley's secret success stories, and we are looking to grow and take on new team members.

At Pacific Coast Fruit, you will receive competitive compensation along with RSP matching, extensive group benefits, annual performance bonus as well as enjoy employee engagement activities that occur throughout.

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced and self-motivated Product Development Manager to lead and expand our product innovation efforts. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in building our capacity to quickly create and commercialize higher-value products to our existing portfolio. Initially managing a team of one, you will have the opportunity to grow the team over time as you establish processes, deliver results, and drive innovation.

This is a hands-on role requiring creativity, technical expertise, leadership skills, and a strong understanding of the food manufacturing industry. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including R&D, marketing, operations, and sales, to bring new products from concept to market efficiently and successfully.

You Live and Model the Organization's Values

Invest in Relationships - We build trust and collaborate to develop long-term partnerships.

• Focus on what is good for the team and the organization
• Share knowledge freely to ensure organizational strength and sustainability
• Make time to help and develop others

Act with Integrity - We are transparent, honest, and ethical in all of our interactions.

• Bring your best to all your interactions
• Use good judgment and limit risks
• Walk the walk and be accountable

Excel at Service - We set the standard for delivering exceptional service.

• Be easy to do business with
• Ensure quality always comes first
• Respond to internal and external customers with urgency

Deliver Excellence - We aspire to be excellence in everything we do.

• Be action-oriented. Drive results with grit and decisiveness
• Seek out the root cause to solve problems
• Do the things that bring greatest value and make an impact

You demonstrate your commitment through defined action

Communication

• Listen well and seek to understand
• Communicate concisely, candidly, and respectfully
• You're an avid contributor to discussions and share ideas and solutions
• Know your business and our products
• Proactively seek knowledge
• Passionate about continuous improvement

Connection

• Embrace diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Seek out different perspectives and choose the best ideas, wherever you find them
• Center your approach in the well-being of colleagues and the sustainability of communities

What you will be doing

• Manage and mentor an initial team of one (e.g., Product Development Specialist), fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration
• Create a scalable department structure with clear processes, objectives, and tangible results that support efficient team growth
• Build the product development team over time by identifying talent needs and recruiting skilled professionals as the company grows
• Identify market trends, customer preferences, and opportunities for innovation in collaboration with the marketing and sales teams
• Develop prototypes, formulations, and recipes that align with company goals for quality, cost efficiency, and scalability
• Ensure all new products meet regulatory requirements, food safety standards, and internal quality benchmarks
• Create detailed project plans with clear timelines for product development initiatives
• Collaborate with operations and supply chain teams to ensure smooth scaling of production for new products
• Supervise lab activities and pilot plant trials for new product development and process improvement in multiple locations
• Conduct product testing (e.g., sensory evaluations) to refine formulations based on feedback from stakeholders or focus groups
• Maintain accurate documentation, reports, and project tracking systems

Continuous Improvement & Strategy

• Develop efficient processes for rapid prototyping and commercialization of new products
• Stay informed about industry trends, competitor offerings, and emerging technologies in food manufacturing
• Contribute to strategic planning by providing insights on product development capabilities and opportunities for growth

What you Bring

• Grit, determination, and a passion for developing people
• Master's degree in food science, food technology, or a related field. PhD preferred
• 5+ years of progressive experience in the food industry, with at least 2 years in a leadership role
• Strong knowledge of food processing, ingredient functionality, sensory evaluation, and regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA, USDA, FSMA)
• Proven experience in product development and commercialization
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills
• Proficient in data analysis, technical writing, and scientific presentation
• Good understanding of GMP, HACCP, GFSI (BRC, SQF), and Food Allergens
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Have good working knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, delegate, and follow up
• Ability to lead, work independently, and in a team environment