R&d Specialist

**Do you have the appetite to Grow Your Magic?**

Consumers everywhere are increasingly conscious of the quality of the food they eat. Puratos develops, produces and distributes a unique range of ingredients for bakers, pastry-chefs and chocolatiers who demand the very highest quality.

Founded in Belgium in 1919, Puratos is growing rapidly with over 9000 employees in 75 countries, with a consolidated turnover of over €2 billion. Our passion for innovation, pioneering spirit and core values continue to propel our global ambitions. This coupled with our commitment to our communities is what makes working at Puratos so magical.

**R&D Specialist - Patisserie Mixes
- **_Contract (12-15 months)_**

**(Mississauga, ON)**

Reporting directly to the Sr. Manager of Patisserie, this person will lead local research, development and/or adaptation of Patisserie Mixes in the Company in order to contribute to the business growth and operational efficiency. The incumbent will contribute to the financial growth of the Strategic Business Unit Patisserie by providing the necessary research and development expertise and assistance to ensure the continued success in sales & product development with new & existing customers.

**Overview**:

- Position title: R&D Specialist - Patisserie Mixes
- Job Type **_Contract (12-15 months)_**:

- Department: Research & Development
- Position title Manager (N+1): Director of R&D
- Position title direct reports: N/A
- Location: Mississauga, Ontario

**_Key tasks_**

**1) Development of new products and concepts**
- Lead the development of products in line with business development and market needs and in-line with the group innovation plan through active participation in Go/NoGo and stage-gate processes
- Use initiative to lead and recommend business opportunities based on market trends, R&D innovations and customer needs
- Develop tailor-made customer products aligned with business development guidelines and state-gate process.
- Ensure complete documentation on raw materials, formulations, process parameters, item requests, QC tests, labelling TDS on new or revised products
- Maintain good IP practices and ensure confidentiality on formulas and know-how

**2) Adaptation of existing formulas**
- Cost reduction and productivity programs whilst maintaining performance, including raw material rationalization
- Align with Regulatory affairs and Marketing to define cleaner label opportunities and regulatory guided formula transitions
- Pro-actively propose optimization of existing portfolios (SKU reduction, positioning, etc.,)

**3) Business Development support to Sales for above mentioned product categories by**:

- Identifying new business opportunities at large customers (prospecting)
- Detecting products at risk and proposing solutions
- Making internal and external presentation and seminars explaining benefits of our products
- Provide customers with technical support and trouble-shooting at the plant level in order to ensure the performance of products
- Participate in strategic exercises, intending to develop our business in the above mentioned products. This should be based on a good understanding of the local market.

**4) Manage accurately all technical administration**
- Ensure complete documentation on raw materials, formulations, process parameters, item requests, QC tests, labelling TDS on new or revised products;
- Build an accessible project documentation in line with our NPD procedure by using the appropriate tools
- Support the Technical Documentation and item control department
- Maintain good IP practices and ensure confidentiality on formulas and know-how

**5) Support Operations and TQM**:

- Support quality issues by providing R&D expertise: root-cause analysis and rework/recuperation recommendations
- Review on a yearly base with QA/QC the non-conformities and look for optimizations

**6) Build expertise & network in specialty area**
- Grow expertise in the product range through training and field experience.
- Ensure a functional link with the BU specialists at Headquarters
- Build an active network of high commercial value of customers, machine suppliers, researchers, vendors and the international Puratos R&D community
- Provide intelligence on innovative raw materials & technologies that can differentiate our products

**7)** **Act with Safety in mind.**

**8) Food Safety**
- Comply with our food safety procedures upon new raw material selection, product development or modification and sample preparation.
- Report all food safety and quality issues to immediate Supervisor and / or head of Quality.

**9) Responsible for any other assignment given by Manager.**

**_IV. _**_Back ups_**
- Manager
- R&D Team

**_VI_**. **_Key Internal Relationships_**
- All sales channels
- Marketing and Product Managers
- All Operations
- Procurement and Supply Chain
- BU of product category
- NA regional R&D
- Group R&D

**_VII_**. **_Key External Contacts_**
- Customers
- Suppliers
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