Sr. Scientist

Position Title: Sr. Scientist - Specification

Position Type: Temporary - Full-Time ​

Position Location: Toronto HQ 

Grade: Grade 05 

Requisition ID: 31966 

Position Summary:

• Plays a key role in the Global Specification Centre of Expertise and is the global Subject Matter Expert for Packaging Specifications.
• Provides and leads the business with expert knowledge, training, guidance and support on the adoption of global data standards and global business processes as it pertains to Packaging.
• Participates and supports project work involving global launches and global spec consolidation & simplification.
• Ensure global data standards are established for Packaging Specifications, monitor and report on data quality and drive data cleanse activities across regions.
• Provides technical knowledge to map specification information into other systems such as PowerBI and P360. 
• Champions our specifications systems and excites colleagues about technical opportunities.

Core Accountabilities/Outcomes:

    
1.    Global Specification Standards

• Establish Global Standards for Packaging Specifications, such as standard business processes, data rules, and governance
• Establish and Maintain documentation outlining global standards, including Standard Procedures and Training Materials as they relate to Packaging
• Govern changes/enhancements to global standards and system
• Monitor data quality and report to regional stakeholders in driving improvement plans

2.    User Engagement and Training

• Establish a global network of Packaging Specification SMEs in order to drive standards and efficiency
• Be responsible to determine training gaps and establish training programs to address these gaps
• Engages users 

3.     Global Project Support

• Support execution of global product launches and lift & shift by ensuring efficient sharing and adoption of packaging specifications across regions
• Drive system requirements, data readiness and system design for the global management of packaging specifications

4.     IT related Support

• Provide technical documentation, report development, and enhancement support
• Coordinate and execute user acceptance and regression testing utilizing ALM 
• Coordinate with global PLM Center of Expertise and IT to resolve system and report defects.
• Collaborate with IT and external groups as a technical expert and point of contact for any packaging data mapping discussions

Qualifications: 
 

Academic:    

• Minimum-  Associates degree in Food Science, Engineering, Business or Operations Management or similar with 3 years of experience in the food industry
• Nice to have: Bilingual in English/French or English/Spanish is desirable

 
Related Work Experience (Internal to the organization or external): 
If individual does not have an AS degree, a minimum of 5 years of demonstrated successful work experience with technical documentation and tools used to create specifications in the food industry.  

Working Relationships/Key Contacts:
       
Internal: 

   1.    Product development : Interface with to determine new specification detail and global alignment of the specifications`
    2.    Innovation Technologies and Technical Services: Interface with on special projects or data requests  or provide new calculations
    3.    Finance: Supply reports and collaborate on specification detail affecting product costs
    4.     ISC/S&OP: Interface to ensure successful commercialization of product and delivery of accurate specification details
    5.    Marketing- Regional and Export markets: Collaborate to ensure data is accurate and customer expectations are met
    6.    Plant and Corporate Quality: Engage to resolve defect specification variances are corrected and standards followed. 
    7.    Supplier Quality and Procurement: Interface to resolve packaging data issues for both existing and new
    8.    Regulatory: To ensure system data and data quality meets regional regulatory requirements
    9.    R&D Packaging: Ongoing support to R&D packaging SMEs and Leads in data system & functionality

External    

1.    Customer database support: Support technical data mapping and reporting

Competencies:
Critical TECHNICAL (Function-Specific) Competencies:

• Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems and optimization
• Construct effective project plans, identifying risks and challenges, applying the R&D framework
• Demonstrated decision making 
• Apply relevant technical knowledge to develop action plans
• Demonstrate basic understanding of financial aspects of R&D projects (e.g. project budgeting/ forecasts)
• Familiarization with quality system audits
• General understanding of food manufacturing operations and production facilities 
• Good data and business analysis and reporting skills - literate and numerate
• Knowledge of general packaging regulations as it pertains to McCain initiatives
• Understand food safety related technical documentation
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant working experience in a food environment
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations to analyze and present data
• Proficient with MS Office, MS Outlook, SharePoint, and the ability to adapt to industry specific programs. Experience with PowerBI an asset
• Strong communicator with excellent English writing skills who has demonstrated abilities in creating and documenting operating procedures, policies, and programs
• Working knowledge of general mathematics and scientific weights and measures

Critical CORE (General Behavioural and Business) Competencies:

• Ambitious and motivated self-starter with the ability to multi-task;, adapt quickly; and, work well with others of diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds
• Analytical and solutions-oriented
• Communicate and understand all instructions given by management on projects with minimal supervision
• Communicate with both technical and non-technical; able to communicate technical matters as they relate to the specification database
• Analyze and present evidence-based options, articulating the impact
• Understanding of project management methods
• Stimulate cross-functional engagement, enabling progression of projects
• Prioritize and manage resources (e.g. facilities, people, budget)
• Identify confidential information and take all necessary measures to protect the business
• Develop and execute risk mitigation plans (e.g. food safety, personal safety, regulations)
• Apply relevant regulations and public policy (e.g. food, safety, engineering, Health and Safety
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including negotiation skills
• Extreme attention to detail who is able to make decisions and demonstrate assertiveness with team mates in a respectful, collaborative approach
• Flexible individual, able to handle multiple tasks competently
• Focus on action and outcomes 
• Develop and present a business case
• Identify and present opportunities relevant to the business strategy
• Understand and articulate the financial impact of technical solutions
• Create and execute a personal development plan which delivers enhanced performance
• Support the shaping of personal development plans for team members
• Modify behavior based on self-awareness to enable valuable relationship development
• Understand and escalate the implications/risks of changes in projects to the business and R&D strategies, and propose mitigation solutions
• Good organizational skills and an ability to multi-task
• Lateral thinker who seeks to present solutions, not problems
• Positive attitude and highly self motivated 
• Work well under pressure, can remain calm and level headed in stressful situations and able to work with a sense of urgency

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace.  As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. 
 
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.
 
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with the Global Employee Privacy Policy 

Job Family: Research & Development      
Division: Global Research and Development 
Department: ​Product Lifecycle Management ​
Location(s): CA - Canada : Ontario : Toronto || CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Florenceville-Bristol || US - United States of America : Illinois : Oakbrook Terrace 

Company: McCain Foods (Canada)