R&D - R&D Project Manager

Exceldor; Hanover; On-site; CAD 66,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Exceldor in Hanover, Ontario, is seeking an R&D Project Manager to lead product development initiatives, improve processes, and manage projects from concept to commercialization.

You will coordinate cross-functional teams, conduct tests, and ensure specifications are met while liaising with suppliers. Occasional travel to Blumenort Manitoba may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in science or related field (Food Technology, Food Engineering, Microbiology, Nutrition).
• Minimum 5 years of product development experience in the agri-food industry with project management exposure.
• Knowledge of CFIA processes, ingredients, laws, and standards (labelling, recipe formulation, meat nomenclature).
• Experience in development of process poultry products is an asset.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills; organized and results-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Organizes and coordinates multidisciplinary project teams per company priorities.
• Communicates project updates to stakeholders.
• Develops new product formulations aligned with strategy.
• Ensures product specs meet targets and timelines.
• Conducts laboratory and production tests; coordinates testing.
• Facilitates R&D projects at facilities, including Blumenort MB plant.
• Identifies supplier ingredients and concepts; evaluates external resources.
• Analyzes results, prepares technical reports, and makes recommendations.
• Leads internal sensory evaluation panel operations.
• Ensures product start-up matches specifications across multiple productions.
• Maintains communications with consumers and suppliers on food safety issues.
• Assists QA and Operations in complaint investigations.
• Conducts constant market watch.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Analytical skills

Organizational ability

Education

Bachelor of Science in Food Technology / Food Engineering / Microbiology / Nutrition

Job description

478 14th St, Hanover, ON N4N 1Z9, Canada

Job Description

Job title: R&D Project Manager

Department: R&D

Reports to: Senior Director of Research-Development & Technical Affairs

Status: Full-time (Temporary)

Classification: Non-Union

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Senior Director of Research-Development & Technical Affairs, the R&D Project Manager will independently manage research and development projects related to the design of new products, the improvement of existing products and the optimization of product processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Organizes, directs, and coordinates multidisciplinary project teams according to the company’s priorities
• Ensures that project updates are communicated to different stakeholders
• Develops new product formulation based on company strategy
• Ensures that product specifications are sustainable and meet the target and that timelines are met
• Conducts laboratory tests, and coordinates and conducts production tests
• Facilitate research and development projects at various facilities including our Blumenort Manitoba processing plant
• Research and meet external resources (supplies, research centre, etc.) to evaluate and recommend new supplier’s ingredients and concepts
• Analyzes results, prepares technical reports, and makes recommendations
• Leads the organization and operation of the internal sensory evaluation panel
• Ensures that the start-up of the product corresponds to the specifications and is responsible for a least 5 productions or until the operations are stable
• Maintain effective communications with consumers and suppliers on issues related to food safety and resolve complaints/problem issues
• Assist Quality Assurance and Operations personnel during complaint investigations to identify areas of improvement
• Conducts constant market watch
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and Food Technology, Food Engineering, Process/Industrial Engineering, Microbiology, Nutrition, Dietetics and/or Relevant Experience
• Five (5) years of product development experience in the agri-food industry, including experience in project management. Experience in the meat industry is an asset
• In-depth knowledge of CFIA processes, ingredients, laws, and standards (labelling, recipe formulation, meat cut nomenclature, etc.)
• In-depth knowledge of the best food product development methods
• Experience in the development of process poultry products
• Culinary experience/training is an asset
• Basics nutrition knowledge
• Must possess strong interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills
• The successful candidate will be organized and results-oriented
• Able to exercise timely and good judgment in day-to-day business decisions

Salary Range: 66-88k