Technical Innovation Manager

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a $300 million+ Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We're on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2027, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you'll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain - and yes, it will get rough. But that's what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let's tackle the climb together.

**Overview**:
The Innovation Manager is an integral R&D leader who supports the development and technical execution of a robust 3-year innovation pipeline to fulfil Riverside's growth objectives. This individual collaborates heavily with Marketing and other technical and operations functions to bring novel and winning product concepts to life. Through strong technical and strategic support, they support their team of food scientists and encourage discipline, flexibility, calculated risk taking, and curiosity. This role is an 18-month contract for maternity leave coverage on the team.

**Primary Responsibilities**:

- Supports the development and in-part leads the technical execution a 3-year innovation pipeline to fulfil Riverside's growth objectives
- Leads the technical NPD process for MadeGood products - all front-end stages from ideation to launch approval. Ensures products and projects adhere to Riverside strategy, food safety programs, planned timelines, target attributes and parameters, and sustainability goals. Ensures effective communication and stakeholder involvement throughout the process.
- Supports PL, Incubator, and other product development initiatives across the organization where needed.
- Conducts or coaches team to lead thorough feasibility trials to ensure project readiness
- Leads cross-functional technical reviews to highlight project risks & determines and implements appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
- Effectively communicates the opportunities, challenges, and progress of technical innovation projects to all relevant stakeholders, ensuring transparency and pro-active problem solving
- Ensures projects are handed over to R&D for first production with adequate readiness and support.
- Takes ownership of activities within the Innovation Cycle to drive ideation and provide the Innovation team with the necessary capabilities, knowledge, ideas, etc. to deliver on our Innovation pipeline and future growth goals.
- Actively seeks partnerships with ingredient and equipment suppliers to explore innovative ingredients, processes, relationships or technologies that could provide a competitive edge for current or prospective clients.
- Champions innovation across the business. Regularly seeks opportunities for product & process improvement, efficiencies, and better ways of working.
- Works closely with Marketing team to identify market opportunities, devising innovation strategies to expand existing brands and cultivate new ones.
- Leads and coaches a small team of food scientists, supporting them with technical and leadership decisions and helping them to achieve their growth potential through meaningful and dedicated personal development support.
- Liaises with the operations team to evaluate the technical feasibility of new concepts
- Serves as a technical advisor to both internal and external partners, offering insights and solutions based on the latest food technology and trends.
- Stays abreast of emerging trends and technologies in the food industry, especially within the snack category. Monitors the competitive landscape regularly and uses all research and learning to improve existing products or develop novel concepts.
- Collaborates meaningfully with other Technical Design functions (R&D, Packaging R&D, FSQA, Regulatory) to share technical knowledge, process improvements, and collectively drive scientific and technical expertise at Riverside.

**Education & Qualifications**:

- 7-10 years of CPG experience in Research & Development and/or Innovation
- Post-secondary degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or related field
- Master's in Business, Leadership, Entrepreneurship or related is an asset
- Demonstrated leadership and/or management capabilities
- Demonstrated experience in new product development (ideation through launch)

**Skills & Abilities**:

- **PASSIONATE**for innovation Driven to find and create better products & processes. Motivated by a high level of curiosity and creativity.
- **TEAM** player with a positive attitude and ability to keep things light an