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.

Overview:

The Innovation Manager is an integral R&D leader who supports the development and technical execution of a robust 3-year innovation pipeline to fulfil Riverside's growth objectives. This individual collaborates heavily with Marketing and other technical and operations functions to bring novel and winning product concepts to life. Through strong technical and strategic support, they support their team of food scientists and encourage discipline, flexibility, calculated risk taking, and curiosity. This role is an 18-month contract for maternity leave coverage on the team.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Supports the development and in-part leads the technical execution a 3-year innovation pipeline to fulfil Riverside's growth objectives
2. Leads the technical NPD process for MadeGood products - all front-end stages from ideation to launch approval. Ensures products and projects adhere to Riverside strategy, food safety programs, planned timelines, target attributes and parameters, and sustainability goals. Ensures effective communication and stakeholder involvement throughout the process.
3. Supports PL, Incubator, and other product development initiatives across the organization where needed.
4. Conducts or coaches team to lead thorough feasibility trials to ensure project readiness
5. Leads cross-functional technical reviews to highlight project risks & determines and implements appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
6. Effectively communicates the opportunities, challenges, and progress of technical innovation projects to all relevant stakeholders, ensuring transparency and pro-active problem solving
7. Ensures projects are handed over to R&D for first production with adequate readiness and support.
8. Takes ownership of activities within the Innovation Cycle to drive ideation and provide the Innovation team with the necessary capabilities, knowledge, ideas, etc. to deliver on our Innovation pipeline and future growth goals.
9. Actively seeks partnerships with ingredient and equipment suppliers to explore innovative ingredients, processes, relationships or technologies that could provide a competitive edge for current or prospective clients.
10. Champions innovation across the business. Regularly seeks opportunities for product & process improvement, efficiencies, and better ways of working.
11. Works closely with Marketing team to identify market opportunities, devising innovation strategies to expand existing brands and cultivate new ones.
12. Leads and coaches a small team of food scientists, supporting them with technical and leadership decisions and helping them to achieve their growth potential through meaningful and dedicated personal development support.
13. Liaises with the operations team to evaluate the technical feasibility of new concepts
14. Serves as a technical advisor to both internal and external partners, offering insights and solutions based on the latest food technology and trends.
15. Stays abreast of emerging trends and technologies in the food industry, especially within the snack category. Monitors the competitive landscape regularly and uses all research and learning to improve existing products or develop novel concepts.
16. Collaborates meaningfully with other Technical Design functions (R&D, Packaging R&D, FSQA, Regulatory) to share technical knowledge, process improvements, and collectively drive scientific and technical expertise at Riverside.

Education & Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of CPG experience in Research & Development and/or Innovation
• Post-secondary degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or related field
• Master's in Business, Leadership, Entrepreneurship or related is an asset
• Demonstrated leadership and/or management capabilities
• Demonstrated experience in new product development (ideation through launch)

Skills & Abilities:

• PASSIONATE for innovation! Driven to find and create better products & processes. Motivated by a high level of curiosity and creativity.
• TEAM player with a positive attitude and ability to keep things light and FUN.
• Effective management skills, capable of working on and leading a diverse team. Willing to 'fly high and low' – leading strategic decisions but unafraid to jump in and get hands dirty when necessary
• Self-starter with a high level of initiative and ADAPTABILITY. Possesses the GRIT and resourcefulness to find progress when faced with set-backs or ambiguity. Embraces discomfort and sees opportunities where others see challenges.
• Demonstrates HUMILITY and RESPECT for our people and for our planet on a day-to-day basis.
• Strong communication and critical thinking skills
• Strong technical skill foundation in formulation, industrial manufacturing, sensory science, technical documentation, food safety, and innovation
• Ability to travel regularly to Riverside manufacturing sites (Toronto/Vaughan area) and occasionally nationally/internationally (5%)

Reporting Relationship:

• Reports to Director of Technical Innovation
• Responsible for 2-4 direct reports of scientists

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.