Product Developer

Who we are

Skjodt-Barrett is a world-class manufacturer of food solutions and custom ingredients for North America's most beloved and trusted brands. We take pride in working closely with our customers to understand their unique needs and create innovative, individualized solutions that deliver joy to their customers.

A family-founded company started over 35 years ago, we are backed by the investment company Axel Johnson Inc (AJI). With their investment and support, we are well-positioned to foster growth and explore new opportunities.

Our customers, blue-chip international brands and mid-sized producers alike, are why we exist. Our teams of innovators, communicators, and managers are the people who meet their needs, build trust, and exceed their expectations.

Who we need

Reporting to the Product Change Manager of Product Development, we're looking for an experienced and passionate Product Developer to join the Product Stewardship team in Brampton, Ontario. You will be responsible for developing new ingredients for product improvements on our existing product line that meet the sales, financial, regulatory, quality, engineering, operational, and customers' expectations. You will investigate and approve alternate ingredients, substitutions, and product revisions that maintain product integrity and assist in daily problem-solving of quality, material reliability, and operational challenges.

Who you are

You may be in product design and innovation in the ingredient or blend industry for the food or baking sectors. Or you may be coming from product development on the consumer side. Either way, you are looking for a place to bring your knowledge, work at a cutting-edge facility, and nurture your desire to learn and grow.

What's in it for you

Industry expertise. You want to bring and apply your insights and best practices and be confident knowing you are making an impact. In addition, you will have the opportunity to learn our standards and expand your skills working with various product types and technologies, including continuous lines, hot and cold lines, toppings, and fillings. You will gain exposure to some of North America's biggest food and consumer brands.

Impact and influence. You will be trained on our price guard rails, lead times, minimum quantity orders, and more limits and restrictions when choosing ingredients. You will have the opportunity to weigh and balance all facts and determine the best alternate ingredients based on guidelines, customer requirements, and testing results.

Career development. At Skjodt-Barrett, we value the drive to bring ideas to life and the resilience to be accountable for your actions. We have a proven history of supporting the professional development and career growth of our people. Your career path could include moving into new ingredient design and development, Procurement or other areas of Supply Chain, or Operations.

How you will make an impact:

• Develop and test. You will follow a strict development and testing process to deliver consistent formulations that meet customer expectations, result in undetectable substitutions, maintain integrity, and solve production or operational challenges. You will select raw materials that meet cost, regulatory, supply chain and processing parameters to formulate suitable substitute ingredient(s). You will follow up with bench development and processing, shelf life verification, sensory testing, and line trials, including packing.
• Be an expert. You will provide technical support to processors, customers and production by preparing finished product samples, attending meetings, conducting trials, and making presentations. You will provide technical direction and guidance to junior teammates as well as collaborative input to technical development peers.
• Document. You will diligently record and maintain formulations, ingredient documentation, processes, shelf life, and testing results. You will conduct statistical analysis of data, write reports, and verbally communicate findings in presentations and meetings,
• Collaborate. You will work closely with Sales Account Managers and customers, Marketing, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Procurement and suppliers, Engineering, and Operations teams to deliver business objectives.

What you bring to the role:

• The experience. You have a background in Food Science and experience in the food processing industry, specifically in product design and development. You are comfortable standing during trials in a high-speed manufacturing facility. You are familiar with the complex logistics of running multiple production and manufacturing lines to meet the needs of customers. You know how to balance ingredient effectiveness, sourcing and costs to fit budgets, timelines, and demand.
• The technical knowledge. You have in-depth ingredient and processing knowledge related to food starches, gums, clean label alternatives related to sauces, fillings, and nutritional bar layers. You understand and follow the product innovation and renovation process from concept through commercialization.
• The drive. You are curious and solution-oriented, always exploring new options. You prioritize accuracy and pay meticulous attention to detail. You can balance multiple concurrent projects and change priorities as needed. You are passionate about continuous improvement and ongoing learning.
• The interpersonal skills. You have professional verbal and written communication skills, including creating documentation, generating reports, and articulating changes and reasoning to internal and external stakeholders. You can build strong working relationships across teams. You genuinely appreciate diverse experiences and backgrounds and are interested in understanding others, hearing their perspectives, and addressing their concerns.

Why join?

We've got great taste. We care deeply about fostering a culture of transparency, responsibility, and integrity. It's what drives us to make great-tasting, convenient, and healthy ingredients and finished products that our customers depend on. With a focus on nurturing and growing our employees' careers and professional satisfaction, we believe in open communication, idea sharing, and knowledge building. Skjodt-Barrett is committed to building an inclusive culture that helps to create longevity, growth, and innovation in the food industry.

We are working towards a sustainable future. We believe that what's good for people and the planet is good for profit. It is everyone's responsibility to do their part. We recognize the growing need to prioritize sustainability in manufacturing, and we continue to take steps to evolve. We strive to accelerate the adoption of sustainable packaging and food products to be a responsible partner for our customers and for the greater good. We take our role as a supply chain partner to heart and adhere to a strict Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure that our vendors uphold the integrity and values we live by.

We believe actions speak louder than words. Every day, we come together to exceed the expectations of our customers, each other and ourselves, inspired by our values:

• We care. About family, honesty, and respect.
• We communicate. Across every level, often, effectively, and clearly.
• We Empower. With trust, integrity, and accountability.
• We Deliver. Every time, through teamwork, innovation, and results.

We support and care for our employees and their families.

Benefits and perks we offer include comprehensive health, dental, paramedical and long term disability.

With paid vacation time starting at 15 days per year, paid sick time, and more, we want to ensure our employees feel supported and appreciated.

Apply now.

At Skjodt-Barrett, we aim for diversity, equality, accessibility and inclusion in all of our operations and interactions. We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for and want to play an integral role in delivering innovative food product solutions, apply to express your interest.

What you can expect from our interview process:

1. A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor discussing your interest in the role and the company.
2. An in-person or virtual interview with the Product Change Manager of Product Development (the Hiring Manager) and an HR Generalist to discuss your experience and how this role fits into the team.
3. An onsite plant tour and a final interview with the Director of Product Development and another Senior Manager. This will be a chance to see firsthand the plant setup, understand the working environment, and discuss the role further.

Skjodt-Barrett welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Please let us know what accommodations you require across the selection process.