Learning & Development Specialist

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.

You can learn more about us at 

Job Description

Position: Learning & Development Specialist

Department: Organizational Development & Effectiveness

Reporting To: Manager, Learning & Development

Position Summary / Objective

The Learning & Development Specialist supports in strengthening Riverside's ability to achieve its business goals by developing the skills, behaviors, and leadership capabilities needed across all levels of the organization. Through well-designed and effectively delivered learning programs, this role improves leadership, collaboration, engagement, and readiness for growth. It blends facilitation, instructional design, learning technology, and collaboration with business partners to ensure learning drives measurable impact for the organization. This is a growth role for someone who is curious and motivated to link learning outcomes to business results while building future leadership in Learning & Development.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Design & Development

• Partner with the L&D Manager, business, and P&V leaders to understand Riverside's strategic goals and emerging priorities, identify capability gaps, and design learning solutions that drive measurable business outcomes.
• Support in evaluating program effectiveness using participant data, feedback, and performance indicators to identify behavior change, measure business impact, and apply insights to strengthen future programs.
• Develop engaging, scalable learning materials using tools such as Articulate and Canva to ensure consistency and accessibility across teams and sites.
• Manage logistics, communications, and timelines for learning programs ensuring seamless execution and learner engagement.

Program Facilitation

• Facilitate and co-facilitate engaging in-person learning sessions for leaders across different levels, to strengthen leadership capabilities, improved communication and collaboration across the organization.
• Apply adult learning principles and inclusive facilitation techniques, fostering trust with leaders to address real business challenges.
• Reinforce accountability for post-training application through reflection tools, or consistent touchpoints. 
• Support vendor selection, contracting, and coordination to ensure high-quality external facilitation where needed.

Learning Technology & Data

• Manage the Alchemy LMS to ensure accurate setup, data integrity, and reporting that supports learning decisions, compliance, and audit readiness.
• Build capability among functional partners by training and supporting them in using Alchemy administrative tools to create & manage learning content effectively and maintain data accuracy.
• Support exploration of new digital tools and learning technologies that increase efficiency, scalability and learner experience.

Internal Communications

• Strengthen internal learning communications by improving clarity, consistency, and visibility across channels (SharePoint, newsletters, town halls).
• Build creative, consistent, and values-based communication that brings Riverside's values and culture to life and inspires engagement company-wide.

Functional & Leadership Competencies

• Facilitation and Communication: Delivers messages that motivate, influence, and drive behaviour change.
• Collaboration: Builds strong, trust-based partnerships across teams to accelerate learning adoption.
• Project Management: Executes multiple programs with accuracy and timeliness, minimizing disruption to operations.
• Data-Driven Improvement: Uses learning data to demonstrate business impact and identify opportunities for further capability growth.
• Adaptability: Responds effectively to shifting priorities and evolving business goals.
• Growth Mindset: Seeks continuous feedback, learning, and innovation to improve individual and organizational performance.

Education and Qualifications:

Required:

• Degree in Human Resources, Education, or Organizational Psychology, or equivalent experience.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in Learning & Development, Talent Development, or a related field.
• In-office presence required.
• Certifications such as CTP or CTDP is an asset.

Skills and Abilities:

Required:

• Proficiency in Articulate Storyline, Canva, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience administering an LMS (preferably Alchemy) and tracking learning data.
• Strong facilitation skills for in-person and blended environments.
• Ability to design or adapt learning content for various formats.
• Strong project coordination and communication skills.
• Ability to travel regularly to Riverside manufacturing sites (Toronto/Vaughan area) and around the GTA.
• Familiarity with evaluation frameworks such as Kirkpatrick or Phillips ROI models is an asset.

Riverside Fit

• Approach change as an opportunity to learn and grow.
• Bring humility, curiosity, and emotional intelligence to every interaction.
• Take ownership and adapt quickly when priorities shift.
• Enjoy helping others grow while investing in your own development.

Please note this role as a new vacancy.

Salary Range

$70,000 - $85,000 CAD

At Riverside, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation and job posting practices. The range above reflects the target compensation for the position at the time of posting. Exact compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education, and training, as well as other organizational needs, while balancing internal equity.

What we expect:

• Values-led: You'll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life's too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don't enjoy the journey.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: We're still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we'll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast – while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we're okay with that, as long as we're staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.
• Access to everyone: We're a flat organization with few silos which means you'll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel-toed shoes. So don't be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn't – like the plant, or the boardroom.
• Personal development: We'll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress.
• Gratitude: As a growing business, we can't always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we're all in this together and we value you.

What We Offer:

• Values-led: We don't cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit. There is no winning at all costs here. Every step you take must align with our values, no compromises.
• Courageous determination: As a family-run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren't obvious or easy. You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well.
• Humility: We're a small (but growing) fish in a sea of whales and sharks. We know the products we offer are some of the healthiest and most sustainable, but we don't brag about it, and know we have a steep path ahead. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products. There isn't one superstar at Riverside. We take turns leading the way as we climb to the summit.
• Continuous improvement: As a learn-as-we-go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.

Wait There's more

• Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs
• RRSP matching or 401k matching for an empowered financial journey
• Eligibility to participate in Riverside's Profit Sharing Plan
• Join Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights
• Develop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• An open concept work environment that embodies our Values

How to Apply:

If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to with the job title you are applying for in the subject line or click the apply button

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Disclaimer: As part of our recruitment process, we may use technology-assisted tools, including automated systems, to support the review and assessment of applications. These tools do not make final hiring decisions. All decisions related to screening, interviewing, and selection are made by our Talent Acquisition and hiring teams.

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