Product Developer

Celtrade Canada Inc.; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Celtrade Canada Inc. seeks a Product Developer to join the Product Development and Innovation team, driving new product concepts from ideation through launch.

You’ll work closely with Procurement, Sales, QA, Regulatory Affairs, Production, and Commercialization, as well as external customers, to deliver market-ready products. The role requires creativity, strong analytical skills, and a passion for food, with 2+ years in consumer-packaged goods development and a Bachelor’s degree in food

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science or related field.
• 2+ years of related industry experience in product development.
• Experience in consumer-packaged goods from ideation to launch.
• Strong written and verbal communication with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage product development projects from ideation to commercialization.
• Create new formulations within cost, ingredient, and quality parameters.
• Develop production-scale processes for new items.
• Perform organoleptic and physical analysis and set item standards.
• Oversee production trials and first runs to ensure success.
• Collaborate with external customers during ideation to commercialization.
• Provide feedback during daily product cuttings to meet Celtrade’s quality standards.
• Engage in innovation activities with the Product Development & Innovation Team.
• Stay aware of industry trends by visiting trade shows and retailers.

Skills

Cross-functional

Food industry knowledge

Creative thinking

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in food science

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Celtrade Canada Inc. is a leading manufacturer of custom-developed sauces, marinades, condiments, and dressings for private label retailers and food service chains. Since 1990, the company has grown through strong long-term partnerships and a broad resource base that supports the entire journey from kitchen concept to market-ready products. The team is passionate about food, specializing in authentic global flavor profiles created through small-batch cooking combined with modern plant automation. Celtrade offers a collaborative environment where culinary creativity and operational excellence come together to exceed customer expectations.

Role Summary

The Product Developer will work in collaboration with the Product Development and Innovation team to create and deliver new products from ideation to launch. The applicant should be creative, analytical, results driven, knowledgeable in the development of consumer-packaged goods, and most importantly have a passion for food! This position will report to the Product Development Manager and is a cross-functional role requiring daily interactions with other internal departments (Procurement, Sales, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Production, Commercialization, Supply Chain), as well as the rest of the Product Development Team and external customers.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Manage individual product development projects from ideation phase to successful commercialization by taking individual action steps as well as overseeing those undertaken by others in supporting roles
• Create new product formulations while adhering to cost, ingredient, and quality parameters
• Develop new product processes that will ultimately translate to production scale
• Complete organoleptic and physical analysis on samples and develop standards for new items
• Oversee production trials and first production runs to ensure successful commercialization
• Interact with external customers in the context of ideation and new product development through commercialization including plant trials and first productions
• Participate in daily product cuttings providing feedback on personal and team projects to ensure that all products match or surpass target samples and Celtrade’s quality standards
• Engage in innovation promoting activities like Blue-sky outings, restaurant visits, and internal innovation projects with the Product Development and Innovation Team
• Maintain industry awareness through attending trade shows, regularly visiting retail stores, and actively engaging in the “food scene” to bring knowledge to internal and external discussions

Education: Bachelor’s degree in food science or related field

Experience: 2+ years of related industry experience

Salary Range: $50,000 - $70,000 pending relevant experience and qualifications.

Specific Job Skills

• Works collaboratively in a team environment
• Interest in food industry market & consumer trends and data
• Basic cooking skills and understanding of sauce make-up
• Experience in foodservice an asset
• Self driven with excellent time management and prioritization skills
• Interested in working with a cross functional team
• Passion for great food and delivering a quality customer experience
• Creative spirit with grounding analytic mindset
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• High energy with a positive personality
• Basic knowledge of GMPs
• Proficient in Microsoft office programs with specific focus on Power Point and Excel
• Work space is located in a facility containing all major food allergens and proteins
• Prolonged standing
• Occasional lifting up to 5 kgs
• Exposure to food odours, hot temperatures.

We are committed to an inclusive, accessible recruitment and selection process. If you are contacted for an interview or assessment and require an accommodation, please let us know in advance of your appointment. We will work with you to meet your needs.