Job DescriptionSummaryThe
Manager, Research & Development will lead product development and innovation initiatives across sweet goods categories, with a primary focus on icings for cakes and donuts. This role will oversee the development, improvement, scale-up, and commercialization of products that meet customer expectations, manufacturing capabilities, quality standards, and business objectives.
The ideal candidate brings strong technical bakery expertise, project leadership experience, and hands-on knowledge of cakes, donuts, icings, glazes, fillings, and related applications. Experience in confectionery product development is preferred and considered a strong asset.
Primary Responsibilities- Lead the development and commercialization of icings, glazes, fillings, frostings, and other finishing applications for cakes, donuts, and additional sweet goods.
- Manage new product development and product-improvement projects from initial concept through plant scale-up and commercialization.
- Develop and execute project plans, including timelines, priorities, technical requirements, testing protocols, and commercialization activities.
- Evaluate ingredients and technologies related to icing performance, including texture, viscosity, stability, adhesion, appearance, flavour, shelf life, and application.
- Identify opportunities to improve existing products through formulation optimization, ingredient substitutions, process improvements, and cost reduction.
- Provide technical leadership during benchtop testing, product trials, plant trials, first production runs, and commercialization.
- Ensure product specifications are complete and accurate, including product characteristics, costs, measurements, ingredients, processing parameters, case pack, and distribution requirements.
- Oversee customer sample requests and the preparation of sample boards and product presentations.
- Partner with team members to prepare development samples according to specifications, including mixing, baking, finishing, decorating, packaging, and shipping.
- Conduct production and packaging line reviews to ensure quality, consistency, food safety, and product standards are maintained.
- Lead and participate in sensory evaluations focused on taste, texture, appearance, application, stability, and freshness.
- Ensure all products comply with regulatory requirements, including ingredient declarations, allergen statements, labelling, and supplier documentation.
- Work directly with customers to understand product-development needs, present solutions, and address technical inquiries.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Procurement, Marketing, Sales, and external suppliers.
- Support continuous-improvement initiatives related to product quality, production efficiency, cost optimization, and manufacturing capability.
- Monitor project progress, communicate risks and priorities, and provide regular updates to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
Required Experience- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field, or a Culinary Diploma/Certification in Baking and Pastry Arts.
- Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in bakery product development, pastry, or food manufacturing.
- Previous experience leading R&D projects and providing direction, coaching, or mentorship to technical team members.
- Strong hands-on experience developing and manufacturing cakes, yeast donuts, and cake donuts.
- Demonstrated expertise in the development and application of icings, glazes, fillings, frostings, or other sweet-good finishing systems.
- Experience with confectionery products, ingredients, or manufacturing processes is preferred and considered a strong asset.
- Proven experience managing products from concept and formulation through plant scale-up and commercialization.
- Strong knowledge of ingredient functionality, formulation principles, processing parameters, product shelf life, and industrial bakery operations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Flexibility to work early mornings or alternative schedules as required to support production trials and commercialization.
- Willingness to travel to the US and within the Toronto GTA as needed.
- Valid Ontario G driver's licence and access to a vehicle is required.
Disclaimer: The above describes the general responsibilities, required knowledge and skills. Please keep in mind that other duties may be added or this description may be amended at any time.
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