R&D Laboratory Technician

html Job Description

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a 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 2030, 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.

Position Summary/Objective

The Lab Technician plays a key role in supporting Riverside's R&D and Innovation teams through the management of laboratory operations, stability programs, sample preparation, and project support activities. This role helps ensure that technical teams can operate efficiently by maintaining organized workspaces, managing materials and equipment, executing shelf-life studies, and supporting product development activities. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and hands-on. They are comfortable working independently, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement, and collaborating across teams to support technical activities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Demonstrate and uphold Riverside's Core Values.
• Lab Operations and Organization:
  • Maintain an adequate stock of required ingredients and consumables using FIFO and traceability principles.
  • Ensure cleanliness and tidiness of lab in conjunction with technical teams.
  • Improve lab organization to improve efficiency of task spaces.
  • Develop and lead initiatives to encourage good lab practices amongst the technical teams (e.g., auditing of lab, disposing of old materials, labeling, cleaning of storage areas).
  • Organize and inventory products and ingredients in cupboards, freezers, and other technical storage spaces.
  • Maintain R&D lab equipment and tools, including scheduled calibrations, replacements, etc.
  • Collaborate with Health & Safety and Quality teams to maintain and implement laboratory person and food safety policies.
• Stability Testing:
  • Implement shelf-life protocols per R&D procedures.
  • Organize shelf-life sample storage and prepare samples for sensory evaluations.
  • Conduct shelf-life tastings with R&D team.
  • Support scientists in shelf-life report production.
  • Act as SME for Compusense program.
• Benchtop Sample Production:
  • Independently produce benchtop samples, package, and label according to R&D requirements.
  • Follow required procedures to ship samples to customers.
• Administrative Support:
  • Create and manage purchase orders, track invoices, and support procurement processes for R&D and Innovation teams.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

The position reports to the Director, Technical Innovation.

Education & Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience, preferably in food R&D, product development, sensory evaluation, laboratories, kitchens, or manufacturing environments.
• Post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree preferred, preferably in a science or science-adjacent discipline.
• Experience in kitchens, laboratories, manufacturing environments an asset.
• Proficient with MS Office, MS Outlook, MS Excel, SharePoint.
• Experience working in food R&D fields an asset, including sensory evaluation, product development, etc.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proactive and self-motivated; able to see gaps and take OWNERSHIP to fill them without being asked.
• Demonstrated ADAPTABILITY and GRIT when faced with setbacks, rapid change, and ambiguity.
• Desire for knowledge and personal skill development.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills; can function independently.
• Known as a TEAM player, who is skilled in collaboration and operates with RESPECT.
• Ability to sample Riverside brands' products and ingredients or products of interest.
• Ability to lift and move ingredients, samples, and equipment as required.
• Ability to travel regularly between Riverside manufacturing sites (Toronto/Vaughan area).

Job Scorecard

Key Accountabilities	Responsibility	KPI/Metric to Measure Success	Current Year Target
Maintain functional laboratory spaces	Lab audits – acceptable grade	80%
Run stability program testing	% shelf-life studies on track	80%
Benchtop Sample Production	Administrative Support	% PO's processed within SOP timelines	90%

Competencies for Success of the Role

Key Riverside Leadership Competencies:

• Building Collaborative Relationships: Working with internal and external partners respectfully to build win-win relationships and foster opportunities for shared insights and success.
• Resourcefulness: Self-motivated to reach out to others and start new relationships. Readily connects and engages with network at Riverside and externally to solve problems, fill gaps, get support, and return help.
• Delivers Results: Delivering results by creatively and effectively seeking the necessary resources, and using grit to tackle challenges faced along the way.

Key Riverside Functional Competencies:

• Project Management: Effectively lead and coordinate cross-functional teams through the design, development, and implementation of projects.
• Sensory Science: Understanding and evaluating how consumers experience food through their senses.
• Continuous Improvement: Proactively seeking to enhance products, processes, and performance over time.

Salary Range

$45,000—$60,000 CAD

At Riverside, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation and job posting practices. The range above reflects the target compensation for the position at the time of posting. Exact compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education, and training, as well as other organizational needs, while balancing internal equity.

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.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we'll offer the world, into the future.
• 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.
• Personal development: We'll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself.
• Gratitude: We value you and show our true appreciation.
• Be a Riverside Brand Ambassador: Stay relentlessly close to our consumers and represent the brand in every interaction, decision, and deliverable.

What We Offer

• RRSP matching or 401k matching for an empowered financial journey.
• Eligibility to participate in Riverside's Profit Sharing Plan.
• 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 [email protected] 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.

Disclaimer: As part of our recruitment process, we may use technology-assisted tools, including automated systems, to support the review and assessment of applications. These tools do not make final hiring decisions. All decisions related to screening, interviewing, and selection are made by our Talent Acquisition and hiring teams.