Description:
We're looking for an experienced and visionary Science & Innovation Director to lead our Quality Assurance (QA) and Research & Development (R&D) functions across our two bakery facilities. This pivotal role is responsible for driving product innovation, ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality, and translating scientific advancements into delicious, market-leading baked goods.
If you're a strategic leader with a passion for food science and a proven track record in food manufacturing, you'll find a home here. We need someone who is comfortable owning and managing multiple projects independently, thrives on collaboration and teamwork, and maintains a "make it happen" work ethic. This role calls for a true team player who brightens others' days through their interactions and positive attitude, and who doesn't mind wearing all the hats and stepping up as the project leader when needed.
The role requires strong cross-functional coordination, efficient organizational abilities, and an eye for creative detail. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, is comfortable working across multiple departments, thinking creatively, and enjoys both strategic planning, and hands-on execution.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership & Department Oversight: Develop and execute the overall R&D and QA strategies, ensuring alignment with business objectives, market trends, and consumer demands.
- Product Innovation & Development Leadership: Technical member of senior team driving new product initiatives and expansion of production and packaging capabilities.
- Oversee the entire product lifecycle from ideation through commercialization.
- Champion innovative approaches to recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and process optimization to ensure product excellence and market differentiation.
- Approve new product formulations, nutrition fact tables, process parameters, and specifications, ensuring they meet both quality and market needs.
- Quality Assurance & Food Safety Governance: Manage and enhance strategic plans and develop QA programs to maintain the highest quality standards.
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the QA department in establishing, implementing, and maintaining robust quality management systems across both facilities.
- Ensure unwavering compliance with all relevant food safety regulations (e.g., CFIA, FDA, SQF, BRC) and internal quality standards.
- Team Leadership & Development: Directly lead, mentor, and develop the R&D and QA teams, fostering growth and ensuring high-performance and engagement.
- Cultivate a culture of scientific rigor, continuous improvement, cross-functional collaboration, and accountability within the Science & Innovation departments.
- Cross-Functional & External Collaboration: Serve as the primary technical liaison, working closely with Production, Operations, Sales, Marketing, and Procurement to ensure seamless new product introductions and effective resolution of complex technical or quality issues.
- Represent the company in discussions with key suppliers, regulatory bodies, and industry associations.
- Compliance & Regulatory Foresight: Maintain an expert-level understanding of emerging food science research, industry trends, and regulatory changes, guiding proactive adaptation and ensuring sustained compliance.
- Oversee preparation for and responses to internal, customer, and third-party audits.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Technology or related scientific field B.Sc.
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in Research & Development and Quality Assurance within the food manufacturing industry, with a significant portion in a leadership role managing other leaders.
- Proven experience specifically within bakery or baked goods manufacturing is highly preferred.
- Deep expertise in food safety regulations (CFIA, FDA), quality management systems (HACCP, SQF, BRC, ISO), and analytical testing methodologies.
- Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, processing technologies, and product shelf-life in baked goods.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate technical teams, manage multiple projects, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
- Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Highly organized with attention to detail and excellent record-keeping.