Junior R&D Project Manager

Cerelia Bakery Canada LP; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food industry is seeking a Jr R&D Project Manager to lead innovative cookie product development. This role involves managing R&D projects from concept to commercialization while ensuring ingredient inventory is maintained. Ideal candidates will have a background in food science and R&D experience in the food industry, along with strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of R&D experience in the food industry.
• Manufacturing experience with bakery products.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support R&D projects from ideation to commercialization.
• Manage ingredient inventory for the R&D lab.
• Conduct sensory and quality testing.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Creativity

Problem Solving

Communication

Teamwork

Education

BSc in Food Science

Tools

MS Office

Genesis software

Job description

Summary:

As a member of the R&D team, the Jr R&D Project Manager both leads and supports R&D projects from ideation through to full commercialization to develop cookie products that meet customer and business unit product strategies. This role is also responsible for managing the ingredient inventory for the R&D lab.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

1. Work with marketing and the R&D team to generate innovative concepts and recipes.
2. Develop new cookie products from ideation to launch.
3. Lead reformulation projects for product improvement, ingredient substitutions, cost reduction, or plant simplification.
4. Prepare benchtop prototypes for internal evaluation and customer samples.
5. Lead plant trials and first production runs, including line requests, documentation, meetings, audits, technical support, data collection, and product analysis.
6. Collaborate with procurement to source new ingredients.
7. Coordinate with finance to ensure recipes meet cost targets.
8. Develop cooking instructions for products.
9. Conduct sensory, shelf life, product performance, and quality testing.
10. Manage sample shipments to customers.
11. Oversee R&D lab ingredient inventory, including raw materials requests and collection.
12. Maintain lab cleanliness and organization.
13. Demonstrate initiative, creativity, and rigor in R&D projects.
14. Collaborate with other departments to achieve cross-functional goals.
15. Support other R&D team members as needed.
16. Adhere to company policies, GMP, Quality, Food Safety, and Health & Safety standards.
17. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• BSc in Food Science or related discipline.
• 3-5 years of R&D experience in the food industry.
• Manufacturing experience with bakery products.
• Excellent attention to detail, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in MS Office; knowledge of Genesis software is an asset.
• Passion for food.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.

Key Behavioural Competencies:

• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Team player.
• Quality-oriented.
• Good time management.
• Adaptable and flexible.
• Good decision-making skills.
• Keen problem-solving skills.
• Result-oriented.
• Organized.
• Works with integrity.
• Accountable and dependable.
• Ability to enforce policies, programs, and regulatory requirements.
• Good attention to detail.
• Able to multi-task.