Sr. Manager - R&D and Innovation (Private Label + Emerging Brands)

The Senior Manager - Innovation & R&D, Private Label & Emerging Brands (PL & EB) is a strategic, hands-on leader who drives growth through innovation and technical excellence across Riverside's PL & EB businesses. They combine creative thinking with disciplined technical rigour to identify opportunities, build winning products, and deliver them from concept through commercialization. Leveraging expertise in food science, ingredient functionality, and manufacturing processes, they provide technical leadership to ensure products are scalable, high quality, and commercially successful. Working closely with Marketing, Sales, Operations, and other cross-functional partners, they shape the innovation pipeline while developing a high-performing team of food scientists through coaching, accountability, and technical leadership. This role is a permanent full-time position.

Responsibilities

Leads technical NPD process for Private Brands & Emerging Brands from internal/external brief and bid response to first production; Accountable for products/projects adhering to strategy, food safety programs, timelines, COGS, target attributes, and sustainability goals; Partners with senior colleagues in Marketing, Sales, Finance, and Operations as thought leader for innovation and portfolio strategy; Provides technical leadership in ingredient functionality, manufacturing processes, technical troubleshooting, and scientific rigour; Fosters culture of innovation, encourages experimentation and risk-taking, drives ideation process; Leads strategic risk assessment, mitigation planning, and risk communication; Seeks partnerships with ingredient and equipment suppliers for innovative ingredients, processes, relationships, or technologies; Builds network of co-manufacturing partners and vets technical suitability, NPD collaboration, and final product specifications; Champions continuous improvement and evaluates impact of initiatives using performance indicators; Leads and develops team of food science professionals with technical and leadership decisions and personal development support; Develops and coaches team through project strategies, resource plans, and execution roadmaps; Serves as technical advisor to internal and external partners based on latest food technology and trends; Stays abreast of emerging trends and technologies in food industry, especially snacks, monitors competitive landscape; Collaborates with Technical Design functions (R&D, Packaging R&D, FSQA, Regulatory) to share technical knowledge and drive scientific expertise

Requirements

10-15 years of CPG experience in Research & Development and/or Technical Innovation; Post-secondary degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or a related field; Demonstrated leadership and/or management capabilities; Demonstrated experience in new product development (ideation through launch); Demonstrated experience working in food manufacturing facilities; Passionate for innovation, driven to find and create better products and processes, motivated by curiosity and creativity; Team player with 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; Self-starter with high level of initiative and adaptability, possesses grit and resourcefulness; Demonstrates humility and respect for people and planet; Strong communication and critical thinking skills; Strong technical foundation in formulation, industrial manufacturing, sensory science, technical documentation, food safety, and innovation; Ability to travel regularly to Riverside manufacturing sites (Toronto/Vaughan area), co-manufacturing sites across North America, and occasionally nationally and internationally (5-10%)

Nice to have

Master's degree in Science, Business, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, or a related field

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits program with costs covered by Riverside; RRSP matching or 401k matching; Eligibility to participate in Profit Sharing Plan; Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights; Riverside University program; Tuition Reimbursement Program; Open concept work environment