R&D Co-Op (Jan- August Term)

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

RRSP matching

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Profit Sharing Plan

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Job summary

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is seeking a Technical R&D Co-op Student to support the MadeGood R&D team in renovation and commercialization of innovative food products.

You will work with cross-functional teams on R&D projects, equipment and line commissioning, plant trials, product launches, and problem-solving initiatives to bring high-quality products from concept to commercialization. The role requires a curious, hands-on learner who demonstrates creativity, scientific curiosity, and strong

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a post-secondary Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field program.
• Experience in kitchens, laboratories, pilot plants, or food manufacturing facilities.
• Proficient with MS Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate and uphold Riverside’s Core Values.
• Support R&D bench-top evaluations and product testing with SOPs.
• Document formulas, methodologies, observations and results for stake holders.
• Support plant trials through data collection and preparation.
• Assist with day-to-day production troubleshooting using data-driven problem-solving.

Skills

Ownership

Analytical skills

Adaptability

Grit

Team player

Education

Post-secondary Food Science / Food Technology / Chemistry / Engineering program

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2030, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.

The Technical R&D Co-op Student supports the MadeGood R&D team in renovation, and commercialization of innovative food products. Working alongside cross-functional teams, this role contributes to R&D projects, equipment and line commissioning, plant trials, product launches, and troubleshooting initiatives that help bring high-quality products from concept to commercialization.

The successful candidate will assist with a variety of R&D activities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Responsibilities include conducting research, performing bench-top testing and product evaluations, supporting pilot and manufacturing trials, documenting results, and assessing product feasibility. The co-op student will also contribute to day-to-day support by applying strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.

This role is ideal for a curious, hands-on learner who is passionate about food science. The successful candidate will demonstrate creativity, scientific curiosity, strong organizational and documentation skills, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities. They will embody Riverside's core values, collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, and contribute with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to delivering accurate, data-driven results.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate and uphold Riverside’s Core Values
• Keep abreast of industry trends, new technologies and ingredients in the globalsnackmarketplaceand beyond
• Attend seminars&vendor meetings, etc. to expand knowledge ofingredient functionality, industry trends, etc.
• Build collaborative relationships with existing or new ingredient vendor partners on innovative use of existing or new ingredients
• Use sound scientific evidencewhen conductingscientific testingtoseek truth, rather than success or failure. Use this information to make informeddecisionsand provide actionable insights.
• Independently conduct benchtop evaluations of new food products using SOPs. Document all formulas, methodologies, observations and results. Communicate information clearly tostakeholders.
• Support plant trials through data collection, organization, material preparation and clean up
• Support day-to-dayproduction troubleshooting with a collaborative mindset and data-driven problem-solving skills
• Create product samples for evaluation on benchtop or pilot plant scale with meticulous attention to detail. Package and label samples appropriately forintended use.
• Develop and maintain accurate project records to ensure seamless transitions of project ownership and capture learnings from project successes and failures
• Participate inshelf-lifeprogramby tasting products & providing objective feedback on a weekly basis. Arrangeshelf-lifetastings when Lab Technician is unavailable.
• Respectand promote the company’s health and safety program, maintaining a safe working environment and ensure the continued compliance with the Occupational Health and Safetyact and JHSC recommendations
• Adhere to all Riverside food safety policies and procedures
• Manageorganization anddocumentation of personal project load
• Demonstrateflexibilityadaptability when faced with changes to project scope and timelines
• Supportonboarding of new staff as needed
• Other duties as required

Education and Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in post-secondaryFood Science, Food Technology, Chemistry,Engineering, or related fieldprogram
• Experience working in kitchens, laboratories, pilot plants, and/orfoodmanufacturing facilities
• Proficient with MSoffice suite

Reporting Relationships

The position reports toa Senior Food Scientist inTechnical R&D.

Skills and Abilities:

• Proactive andself-motivated; able to see gaps andtakeOWNERSHIPto fill them without being asked
• Determinedanalytical andproblem-solvingskills, driven to seek honest answers
• Disciplined;uses science fundamentals and maintains technical rigour ineverydaywork
• DemonstratedADAPTABILITYandGRITwhen faced with setbacks, rapid change and ambiguity
• Creative flair; pushes the boundaries to find unconventional solutions
• Embracesdiscomfort,HUMBLEandexcited toexplorenew challenges and territories
• PASSIONATEin R&Dand brings enthusiasmdaily
• Deep desire forknowledge, personal skill development and career growth
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills;can function independently
• Known as aTEAMplayer, who is skilled in collaboration andoperates withRESPECT
• Ability to sample Riversidebrands’ products and ingredients or products of interest
• Ability to travel regularly to Riversidemanufacturingsites (Toronto/Vaughanarea)

Job Scorecard:

Key Accountabilities

The rating systemfor the corresponding accountability is as follows:

2 = Important tasks, supporting the team

3 = Non-critical tasks, less urgent, supporting the business as a whole

Responsibility

KPI/ Metric to Measure Success

Rating (1 – 3)

Comments

Supports production and procurement initiatives to ensure the day-to-day running of the business

• Responds quickly and creatively to production and procurement challenges ensuring products meet sensory and quality specifications

1

Assistsin R&D commissioning of new equipment to expand capacity

• Collectsdata for formulations on new equipment
• Ensuresproducts meet sensory and quality specifications

1

Assistswithrenovations and commercializationactivitiesto supportto supportNPD and CI initiatives(Branded/Private)

• Helpsimplement newformulasinproductionthat take into consideration equipment capability, nutritionand sensory targets
• Complete R&D documentation including formula, procedure,quality and product appearance specifications

1

Assists with product development – benchtop evaluation, research, plant trials, etc.

• Fully documents lab benchwork formulas and results
• Supports plants trials through data collection, organization
• Researches new trends, scientific challenges, etc.

1

Competencies for Success of the Role:

Key Riverside Leadership Competencies needed to be successful in this role:

Leadership Capabilities

Definition

Comments

Delivers Results

Ability to rebound from setbacks and adversity when faced with difficult situations. Capability to navigate a path forward without all thenecessaryinformation.

Resilience

Manages Ambiguity

Ensures Accountability

1.Maintains a positive attitude and forward-thinking approach despite setbacks.

2. Manages the risk that comes with moving forward when the outcome isn’t certain.

3. Establishes clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results.

4.Follows through on commitments and makes sure others do the same.

5.Takes personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures.

6. Is calm and productive, even when things are up in the air.

7. Deals constructively with problems that do not have clear solutions or outcomes.

Fosters Collaborative Relationships

Ability to find a way to achievean objectiveby making the best use of the resources available-doingmore with less.Looking beyond the obvious for other viable approaches to accomplishing the goal.

Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

1.Adapts quickly to changing resource requirements.

2.Enjoys multi-tasking; applies organizational know-how and leverages relationships to advance multiple objectives.

3.Finds creative solutions to challenges.

4.Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives.

5.Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments.

6.Gains trust and support of others.

Key Riverside FunctionalCompetencies needed to be successful in this role:

Functional Capabilities

Definition

Comments

Translating formulations from lab scale to large scale production. Capability to understand Riverside’s manufacturing processes and how formulations interact with production equipment.

-Manufacturing Process knowledge

-Critical Thinking

-Problem Solving

-Specification Development

-Assisting inexecution of plant trials using a scientific approach to ensure a successful scale up of formulas from lab to industrial scale.

-Helping troubleshoot production issues collaboratively using a data-forward approach and critical thinking skills

Ability to develop new formulations taking into consideration equipment capability, nutrition &costguardrails and sensory targets.

-Formulation

-Data Management

-Sensory science

-Ability to manage multiple criteria when developing a new formula.

-Uses an analytical approach when planning lab work in order to understand ingredient functionality in formula

-Uses sensory best practices to guide product decisions.

Please note this role as a new vacancy.

Salary Range

$18 - $20 CAD

Please note this role is an existing vacancy.

Salary Range

$18 - $20 CAD

At Riverside, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation and job posting practices. The range above reflects the target compensation for the position at the time of posting. Exact compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education, and training, as well as other organizational needs, while balancing internal equity.

What we expect:

• Values-led: You’ll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life’s too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don’t enjoy the journey.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: We’re still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we’ll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast! – while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we’re okay with that, as long as we’re staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.
• Access to everyone: We’re a flat organization with few silos which means you’ll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel-toed shoes. So don’t be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn’t – like the plant, or the boardroom.
• Personal development: We’ll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders.
• Gratitude: As a growing business, we can’t always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we’re all in this together and we value you.
• Be a Riverside Brand Ambassador: Stay relentlessly close to our consumers and represent the brand in every interaction, decision, and deliverable. Bring the consumer voice into your work by protecting product quality, availability, and experience, acting early when standards slip, and delivering consistent value that earns trust, advocacy, and long-term brand love.

What We Offer:

• Values-led: We don’t cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit. There is no winning at all costs here. Every step you take must align with our values, no compromises.
• Courageous determination: As a family-run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren’t obvious or easy. You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well.
• Humility: We’re a small (but growing) fish in a sea of whales and sharks. We know the products we offer are some of the healthiest and most sustainable, but we don’t brag about it, and know we have a steep path ahead. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products. There isn’t one superstar at Riverside. We take turns leading the way as we climb to the summit.
• Continuous improvement: As a learn-as-we-go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.

Wait! There’s more!

• Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs!
• RRSP matching or 401k matching for an empowered financial journey
• Eligibility to participate in Riverside's Profit Sharing Plan
• Join Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights
• Develop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• An open concept work environment that embodies our Values

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Disclaimer: As part of our recruitment process, we may use technology-assisted tools, including automated systems, to support the review and assessment of applications. These tools do not make final hiring decisions. All decisions related to screening, interviewing, and selection are made by our Talent Acquisition and hiring teams.