Research & Development Technician - -Nutraceutical industry

Herbaland Naturals Inc; Richmond; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbaland Naturals Inc is seeking an R&D Technician to apply food science and natural health product expertise to develop and enhance nutraceuticals. This mid-level role collaborates with marketing, sales, suppliers and internal teams to innovate and launch products that delight consumers and strengthen the Herbaland brand.

The successful candidate will prepare technical documentation, support product registration, and ensure regulatory compliance with Health Canada, CFIA, FDA as applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science or related field.
• 2–3 years in nutraceutical/dietary supplement industry is a strong asset.
• Experience with pet nutrition is desirable.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• Aptitude for data analysis and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Formulate new products, considering claims, texture, stability, cost, and production feasibility.
• Lead product development from concept to commercialization with private label clients.
• Research and recommend new ingredients, technologies, and processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional departments to support project advancement and resolve issues.
• Provide technical and troubleshooting assistance for production scale-up and pilot trials.
• Be familiar with the NPN application process and apply for NPN licensing for new products.
• Assist in creating product specifications, nutritional panels, and stability protocols to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Maintain accurate records of experiments and formulations.
• Source new ingredients considering price, MOQ, and lead time.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe lab environment.

Skills

Nutraceutical experience

Pet nutrition experience

Presentation skills

Analytical thinking

Critical thinking

Communication skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Multitasking

Project management

Education

Bachelor in Food Science / related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We do not use AI to sort our resumes.

We are hoping to hire by mid-October.

The R&D Technician plays a vital role in applying Food Science and Natural Health Product expertise to develop and enhance both new and existing products. This mid-level to experienced, hands-on position involves close collaboration with marketing, sales, suppliers, and internal operations teams to innovate and launch products that delight consumers and strengthen the Herbaland brand. The R&D Technician is responsible for preparing technical documentation, supporting product registration processes, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. This role offers a dynamic opportunity to contribute creativity, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Key responsibilities of the position:

• Product Development & Innovation: Formulate new products, considering claims, texture, stability, cost, and production feasibility.
• Communicate with private label clients and lead product development from concept to commercialization.
• Actively research and recommend new ingredients, product concepts, technologies, and processes.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing formulations, reducing costs, or enhancing product quality.
• Actively collaborate with cross-functional departments to support project advancement, resolve technical issues and ensure smooth communication throughout the development process.
• Provide technical and troubleshooting assistance for production scale-up and pilot trials.
• Be familiar with the NPN application process and apply for NPN licensing for new products, update product licenses when formulation changes are made.
• Assist in creating product specifications, nutritional panels, and stability protocols to ensure compliance with applicable regulations (Health Canada, CFIA, FDA, etc.).
• Issue MMRs and batch records according to the production schedule.
• Maintain accurate records of experiments, formulations, and laboratory results in laboratory notebooks or digital systems.
• Communicate with suppliers and source new ingredients, considering factors such as price, MOQ, and lead time.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe lab environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Nutrition, or a related field.
• 2-3 years’ experience in the nutraceutical or dietary supplement industry is considered a strong asset.
• Experience with pet food or pet nutrition is desired for this role.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Strong presentation skills.
• Aptitude for solving technical challenges through systematic research, data analysis, and problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to multitask, manage projects, and drive results based on defined objectives and timelines.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Highly organized, with strong planning and time-management abilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a consistent commitment to follow-through and accuracy.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and capable of working effectively under pressure in time-sensitive environments.
• Travel to both local, domestic and international Trade Shows and events is required.

Must be available for in-person interviews during our regular working hours.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

The successful candidate will have to pass a Criminal Record Search prior to starting.

Herbaland provides equal employment opportunities in all its recruitment and selection processes. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without any discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law.