Research and Development Specialist

**Who we are**

Nature's Touch is one of the largest suppliers of frozen fruit to retailers in North America, Australia, Taiwan, and Japan. We offer a full range of products and support multiple private-label programs in addition to our own brands. We are one of the largest fruit buyers globally each year and continue to enjoy strong growth in this emerging retail category.

**The opportunity we offer**

**The R&D Specialist, Project Manager**, plays a key role in the product development and optimization of the core product portfolio. This position is responsible for developing short
- and medium-term plans to optimize the product portfolio in collaboration with purchasing. The incumbent will also have to manage private label clients autonomously and offer products adapted to their needs and respond to market trends. The R&D Specialist, Project Manager will be responsible for building an effective internal monitoring system for the organoleptic quality of raw materials in collaboration with the quality, operations, and strategic purchasing teams. The responsibility for cost reduction, portfolio optimization, and new product development projects will be entrusted in order to market innovative products at competitive costs to our clients. This position works closely with his internal partners and acts as a technical expert.

**The responsibilities**
- **Portfolio Optimization and Profitability**:_
- Formulate new and existing products in the category to meet the company's financial objectives.
- Identify opportunities to improve offerings in the category based on consumer trends and needs. Build a short and mid-term plan to revitalize the core portfolio and propose new opportunities in relation to our supplier capabilities.
- Evaluate and adapt product development to various manufacturing processes.
- Assist/improve technical support to operations.
- **Management of raw material and finished product specifications**:_
- Following internal audits, build and maintain an internal quality monitoring system for raw materials in collaboration with the R&D Director, plants, and purchasing. Escalate variances and analyze business impacts and establish recommendations and action plans and ensure follow-up.
- Work in collaboration with the quality teams in the different countries that are in contact with our suppliers.
- Ensure internal control and validations of the quality team in place with regard to organoleptic quality, product grading, and compliance with specifications.
- Ensure the training and approval of specifications for the first stages of processing of our products (from Fresh to Frozen).
- Conduct annual product specification reviews and provide recommendations on the development of raw material specifications based on customer requirements and supplier limitations.
- **Product Development Effectiveness**:_
- Ensures that projects are carried out in a Lean and efficient manner.
- Elaborate experimental protocols, develop new products; plan and organize pilot plant and industrial trials; elaborate technical documentation; supervise the implementation of these products on an industrial scale.
- Develop prototypes and validate new products and mixes
- In collaboration with the team, plan and execute annually the market review and SWOT of products in their category

**What you will bring**
- University degree in Food Science and Technology or equivalent
- 8-10 years of experience in food manufacturing or equivalent
- Extensive experience in launching successful projects.
- Basic knowledge of food safety principles and standards (HACCP, SQF, etc.)
- Knowledge of Canadian and US frozen fruit and vegetable regulations is an asset
- Experience in quality control and quality assurance is an asset
- Excellent organizational and priority management skills
- Strong analytical skills and respect for confidentiality
- Customer service oriented with a good sense of initiative
- Must have excellent business acumen
- Ability to act as a transformational agent within the organization
- Excellent communication skills in English and French (written and spoken)
- Good knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite

**What do we have to offer you?**
- Being part of a company with a unique and inspiring vision, deeply committed to sustainability and expanding its leadership in the global frozen fruit business.
- A competitive total compensation package, including health and welfare benefits, paid time off, and corporate discount programs, among others.
- Flexible working conditions.
- A corporate culture that offers the opportunity to build something unique and thus have a greater say in the outcome.
- A flatter structure that allows for greater proximity to the decision-makers in our company.
- Opportunities for growth and development within Nature's Touch.

NTP1

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Benefits**:

- Commuter benefits
- Dental care
- Discounted or free food
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
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