Research Scientist - Product Development

Location : Hamilton (onsite role)

Reports to : Senior Manager, R&D Capabilities & Excellence

The pay range for the role is $75,300 to $125,300 plus bonus, comprehensive benefits, retirement savings plan, paid vacation, and other perks and opportunities.

Job Scope

Reporting to the Senior Manager, R&D Capabilities & Excellence, the Research Scientist - Product Development develops, optimizes, and commercializes dairy products from concept through commercialization readiness. This position applies the latest scientific and technical knowledge in food science, with a focus on dairy science and technology, to develop, optimize, and commercialize products that support business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Principal Scientist-led research, innovation, technology evaluation, and product platform development activities.
• Lead assigned product development projects from concept through commercialization readiness.
• Develop and optimize product formulations using dairy science, ingredient functionality, sensory science, and processing knowledge.
• Develop and apply analytical methods and equipment to support product development and research activities.
• Plan and execute laboratory, benchtop, pilot, and plant-scale development activities and experiments.
• Evaluate ingredients and technologies for technical feasibility and commercialization potential.
• Translate business, consumer, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing requirements into clear technical product solutions.
• Analyze experimental and trial data and provide evidence-based technical recommendations.
• Support scale-up, validation, and commercialization activities in partnership with Operations and cross-functional teams.
• Drive technical problem-solving related to product quality, ingredient performance, processing, shelf-life, sensory performance, and regulatory compliance.
• Design, execute, and interpret sensory evaluations to support formulation development, product optimization, and technical decision-making.
• Monitor new and existing product performance and recommend improvements as required.
• Maintain accurate formulations, specifications, project information, technical reports, and trial documentation within approved R&D systems.
• Ensure technical knowledge and project learnings are documented and retained.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Marketing, Procurement, suppliers, research institutions, and other partners as required.
• Communicate technical findings, recommendations, risks, and project updates clearly and professionally.
• Share technical knowledge and contribute to R&D capability building, continuous improvement, and best practices.
• Adhere to Food Safety and Quality System responsibilities outlined in applicable SOPs and training materials.
• Undertake other relevant responsibilities based on business needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Food Technology, or a related field required; advanced qualifications considered an asset.
• Minimum three years of relevant product development, applied research, or technical commercialization experience within the food industry, preferably dairy.
• Experience using product characterization methods, such as rheology, viscosity, texture or related analytical testing to support formulation development and troubleshooting is preferred.

Skills

• Strong scientific foundation in food and dairy science.
• Knowledge of dairy ingredients, formulation development, sensory evaluation, shelf-life, and dairy manufacturing processes.
• Experimental design, data analysis, technical report writing, and evidence-based decision-making skills.
• Ability to interpret analytical and product characterization results to support product and process decisions.
• Strong technical problem-solving and root-cause analysis capabilities.
• Effective project management, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills and the ability to collaborate across diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work independently while seeking guidance for complex or high-risk technical decisions.
• Ability to learn and use relevant formulation, ERP, specification, reporting, and project management systems, including D365, Optiva, Power BI, and WMS.
• Flexibility to support pilot, plant, and commercialization activities outside regular schedules when required.
• Access to a car and valid License for driving in Ontario.