Product Development Specialist

**No Meat Factory is looking for a Product Development Specialist to join our team.**

As a Product Development Specialist, you will be at the forefront of our efforts to create the next generation of plant-based food products. Your expertise and creativity will drive the conception, creation, and refinement of our culinary innovations. Your role will involve collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure that our products meet the highest standards of taste, quality, and sustainability.

**Main Responsibilities**
- As a member of our innovations team, ideation, development, and execution of new plant-based food products, from concept to commercialization.
- Works hands-on & closely with members of the NMF team at the R&D innovation center to prepare samples.
- Conduct thorough research on emerging food trends, ingredients, and culinary techniques to inform product innovation.
- Stay up to date with industry developments and competitor products, identifying opportunities for differentiation.
- Assists in the sourcing of new ingredients.
- Benchmarking ingredients/products against competitors.
- Collaborate closely with the marketing and operations teams to ensure seamless product development processes.
- Prepares customer samples and work closely with clients and suppliers related to samples and queries including packaging, labelling, and documentation.
- Samples presentation to customers as required.
- Hands-on creating of prototypes and recipes, meticulously refining flavors, and textures to achieve superior taste and quality achieving the required texture, taste, and nutritional profiles while maintaining ingredient functionality of the formulation within processing parameters.
- Product specification development and validation of final product formulations. Generate nutritional profiles, and ingredient declarations using Genesis software.
- Evaluate processes, ingredients, and product prototypes while meticulously following established protocols.
- Develops processing instructions as per developed product prototypes and support the operational implementation and commercialization.
- Documents formulas, process parameters and results and maintains accurate records.
- Conduct sensory evaluations and gather feedback of formulation in development, R&D samples, and raw materials and to continuously improve products.
- Adhere to regulatory guidelines and ensure that products meet all relevant food safety and quality standards.
- Adheres to applicable SOPs and established protocols for product development, sensory, shelf-life testing, and others.
- Responsible for R&D sample logging, materials inventory, and stock management.
- Operates, calibrates, and maintains R&D laboratory equipment and cleanliness. Responsible for maintaining calibration records of all lab instrumentation as required.
- Responsible for maintaining R&D Lab in clean and good working conditions.
- Assists with the training of R&D technicians and ensures food safety protocols are adhered to.
- Perform other related duties as required and assigned by your supervisors.
- English, written and spoken

**Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements**
- Minimum 5 years experience requried.
- Bachelors degree in culinary arts, food science, or a related field (advanced culinary certifications or experience as a sous chef is a plus).
- Proven experience in product development within the food industry, preferably in plant-based or alternative protein products.
- Strong culinary skills, with a deep understanding of flavor profiles, ingredient functionality, and recipe development.
- Strong bench work skills and familiar with R&D equipment and laboratory instrumentation.
- Passion for sustainability and a commitment to creating environmentally friendly food products.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, hands-on, collaborative environment, balancing creativity with attention to detail.
- Excellent communication skills, able to convey complex ideas and concepts to cross-functional teams.
- Must have excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Proficiency in ingredient sourcing, cost optimization.
- Knowledge of food safety regulations and quality control processes.
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Office.
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time and perform physical tasks.

**Work Location**:
120-19055 34a Ave Surrey, BC, V3Z0P6

**Core Working Hours**:
The typical work schedule for this role is Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Overtime hours and statutory holiday work may be required from time-to-time. Overtime and statutory holiday pay rates are applicable per applicable employment legislation.

**Contact Information**:

- (778) 736-1251

**Job Type**: Permanent

Pay: $40.00 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Work Location: In person