R&D Manager- Productivity

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 www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

We’re looking for a dynamic and forward-thinking R&D manager to join our thriving team based in North York. The R&D Manager- Productivity will play a key role in enhancing product quality, sensory and affordability of our core products while elevating team capabilities and instilling a culture of technical discipline and creative problem-solving. As the R&D manager, you will be responsible for strengthening our current product portfolio through driving quality improvements, exploring cost saving opportunities and collaborating with operations to troubleshoot processing issues and optimize line efficiencies. If you’re looking to make a real, tangible impact on the R&D department, have strong technical experience and have a knack for seeking out discomfort, then this role is for you.

 

Reporting to the R&D director, the R&D manager will be technically curious, with a deep understanding of manufacturing processes and a passion for using numbers to demonstrate impact through improving the quality of our products, cost savings and process optimization. You will be fascinated by optimizing processes and obsessed with problem solving. This role is fast-paced and will require the ability to make quick data driven decisions, take calculated risks and embrace change. You will have the opportunity to lead and coach a team of food technologists to senior scientists, championing technical excellence with a strong focus on the bigger picture.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

Driving Productivity

• Accountable for leading R&D Productivity initiatives to improve quality, lower costs and optimize efficiency on our production lines.

• Leads and refines the R&D EfficienCI process from idea generation to implementation in production, leveraging technical solutions to improve efficiency and value delivery. Ensures projects adhere to Riverside strategy, food safety programs, planned timelines, target product attributes and parameters, and sustainability goals.
• Coaches the team to creatively assess raw materials, formulations, and processing costs to identify savings opportunities without compromising product quality.

• Identifies when sensory validation is required to guide project decisions and ensures decisions are based on robust sensory data.

• Guides the team to develop robust technical recommendations based on thorough data analysis (using appropriate statistical methods) and sound scientific reasoning.

• Guides the team to troubleshoot real-time production issues on the factory floor using a scientific approach, collaborating with stakeholders to arrive at evidence-based solutions.
• Responsible for enabling proactive and timely R&D collaboration with key stakeholders such as FSQA and Procurement to ensure our consumers receive consistently high-quality products.

• Coaches team to deliver and maintain accurate, clear and appropriately detailed technical specifications (formulations, procedures, visual standards) across all technical systems.
• Identifies opportunities for cross-functional training for Operations and FSQA on key quality parameters, visual appearance standards and product sensory attributes
• Collaborates with engineering and other internal partners to ensure required product quality standards are met during commissioning of existing technologies at Riverside.

Technical Excellence

• Leads and provides technical coaching to a team of technologists to senior food scientists to deliver on R&D objectives and to achieve their developmental goals.
• Strengthen technical capabilities within the team to drive higher technical confidence through targeted coaching and development of tools and training on critical thinking, experimental design and data-driven technical decision making.
• Foster technical relationships with key ingredient and equipment suppliers to deepen technical knowledge on ingredient functionality and application in our products.
• Understands how technical data relates to business goals and strategically communicates it to inform and influence impactful business decisions.
• Accountable for ensuring delivery of shelf-life reports for changes to existing formulations and supports the team to flag technical risks in a timely manner.

Continuous Improvement

• Promotes a culture of continuous improvement, positivity and accepting change.
• Proactively explores ways to improve and enhance R&D processes to streamline for efficiency.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Collaborates meaningfully with other functions (Innovation, Packaging R&D, FSQA, Regulatory, Production) to share technical knowledge, process improvements, and collectively drive scientific and technical expertise at Riverside.

 

Education and Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Food Science or a related scientific discipline. 8+ years of R&D experience in a CPG with 2+ years’ experience in an R&D leadership role

• Previous experience in an R&D productivity-related role is desired

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and six sigma is a plus

• Master's in Business, Leadership, Entrepreneurship or related is an asset

 

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong belief in Riverside’s purpose and wholeheartedly embody our core values: Humility, Respect, Teamwork, Fun, Grit, Ownership, Adaptability
• At Riverside we value leaders who can “fly high and low’’. Leaders who can focus on the bigger picture without losing sight of the details. (This role involves executing projects as well as leading team members)
• Strong affinity for data analysis and critical thinking with meticulous attention to detail
• Commitment to technical excellence and data-driven decision-making
• Experience working for entrepreneurial companies where progress (action and speed) is valued over perfection.
• Proficient in using tools like Excel or Minitab to identify trends and drive technical decisions.
• Proactive, technically curious mindset with a continuous learning mentality. Passionate about shaping the future of R&D at Riverside
• Quick and creative problem solver. Ability to find resourceful solutions and embraces discomfort- sees opportunities where others see challenges.
• Comfortable with ambiguity, resilient and adapts quickly to changing priorities
• Driven to push boundaries and inspire both yourself and your team to aim high. You view challenges as learning opportunities, and you aren’t afraid to grow through scientific-based trial and error.
• Excellent project, organization and time management skills
• Ability to travel regularly to Riverside manufacturing sites (Toronto/Vaughan area) and occasionally nationally/internationally (5%)

 

Reporting Relationship:

• Reports to Director of R&D
• Responsible for 2-4 direct reports

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 IRA matching for an empowered financial journey
• 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 careers(AT)riversidenaturals.com 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.