Food Industry Recruiters Executive Search

Active Listener Alert: Tap The Hidden Job Market

Andrew Gravely
B.A. Econ., Hons

Call: (416) 733-2696

Phone anytime from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm, 7 days a week. Preferably on a corded landline for clarity. You can also email: andrew@foodindustryrecruiters.ca.

Employers: Best candidates may not be actively looking. Candidates placed have stayed 7+ years and been promoted. We offer guarantees and flexible options beyond job boards.

Do not drop off resumes. Office is closed. Working from a home office. Meetings and interviews by appointment only.

*Phone tip: Dial *67 to block your number if desired.

Available Opportunity

Research and Development Chef / Foodie – Gourmet Artisan Meal Side Dishes

Product Developer – Toronto

Manufacturer – Toronto
Seeking broad culinary skills and a strong interest in learning plant kitchen capabilities to help develop new gourmet artisan meals and side dishes. Collaborate with staff to write SOPs and product specifications, ensure quality, coordinate ingredient sourcing, and manage R&D projects. Provide timely recommendations for clients and maintain detailed ingredient and process records.

Founded by a chef-led family with over 30 years in business.
Hours: Monday to Friday, daytime.

To enquire, please call anytime away from work or email your résumé in confidence to andrew@foodindustryrecruiters.ca with a preferred time for a callback.

Do not drop off résumés – working from a home office. Meetings and interviews by appointment only.

Job Description

Product Developer

Summary:

As the Food Product Developer (fresh and frozen), your contribution is pivotal to our success. This position entails collaborating and working closely with the kitchen team and Senior Management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Formulate product concepts and recipes, considering taste, texture, appearance, and nutritional content.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, adhering to timelines and budget constraints.
• Ensure all developed products meet food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with quality assurance teams to resolve quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate records of experiments, formulations, specifications, and detailed ingredient records.
• Prepare reports and presentations summarizing project findings and recommendations.
• Stay updated on industry trends, new technologies, and ingredient innovations; attend trade shows as needed.
• Contribute to innovative food concept development, especially gourmet artisan meals and side dishes.
• Attend new product reveals with customers and sales teams.
• Perform hands-on kitchen work including sample preparation.
• Assist in preparing and presenting customer innovation sessions.
• Research market trends, consumer preferences, and competitor products.
• Develop new and revise existing products following proper processes.
• Create and maintain product specifications, SOPs, formulations, processes, and costings.
• Plan, organize, and lead plant trials.
• Coordinate the collection, labeling, packaging, and distribution of samples.
• Manage nutritional analysis and shelf-life testing.
• Utilize nutritional software (an asset).
• Scale recipes accurately.
• Source, test, and document new ingredients.
• Plan and prioritize work to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate a strong interest in learning plant kitchen capabilities to support plant-focused innovation.