Junior Product Developer, Food Manufacturing

Who we are

Skjodt-Barrett is a world-class manufacturer of food solutions and custom ingredients for North America's most beloved and trusted brands. We take pride in working closely with our customers to understand their unique needs and create innovative, individualized solutions that deliver joy to their customers.

A family-founded company started over 35 years ago, we are backed by the investment company Axel Johnson Inc (AJI). With their investment and support, we are well-positioned to foster growth and explore new opportunities.

Our customers, blue-chip international brands and mid-sized producers alike, are why we exist. Our teams of innovators, communicators, and managers are the people who meet their needs, build trust, and exceed their expectations. 

Who we need

Reporting to the Product Development Manager, we are looking for a Junior Product Developer to join the team in Brampton, Ontario. You will be responsible for developing new products by supporting the creation of innovative ingredients and formulations that meet the sales, financial, regulatory, quality, engineering, operational, and customers' expectations. You will also support the Product Change team as needed to investigate and approve alternate ingredients, substitutions, and product revisions that maintain product integrity and assist in daily problem-solving of quality, material reliability, and operational challenges.

Who you are

You may have gained experience through co-op programs or internships in product design and innovation within the food, ingredient, beverage, or dairy industries. You are looking for an advanced facility that offers the opportunity to work across various categories and accelerate the growth of your skills.

What's in it for you

Industry expertise. As a leader in the industry, we continuously evolve our technical systems and collaborative methods to stay ahead of the curve. You will be able to learn and adhere to our high safety and food handling standards while expanding your skill set. This includes working with various product types and technologies, such as continuous lines, hot and cold lines, and preparing sauces, toppings, and fillings.

Exposure and growth. Guided by a supportive manager, you will gain the technical and practical knowledge needed to thrive in your current role and beyond. You will lead and experiment with development projects while training on safety standards, price guardrails, lead times, minimum order quantities, and ingredient restrictions. Additionally, you will gain exposure to some of North America's largest food and consumer brands and experience the excitement of seeing your creations on grocery store shelves.

Career development. At Skjodt-Barrett, we value the drive to bring ideas to life and the resilience to be accountable for your actions. We have a proven history of supporting the professional development and career growth of our people. Your career path could include moving into new ingredient design and development, Procurement or other areas of Supply Chain, Operations, or even Sales.

How you will make an impact:

• Grow your skills in analysis and assembly. You will work with the lab team, analyzing products and recording and organizing values to support product specification development. You will create product descriptions and nutritional information. You will learn how to measure ingredients accurately and to premix, blend, cook, and package finished goods such as sauces and fillings for baked goods.
• Develop. You will be assigned projects that are new or in progress. You will adhere to strict development guidelines, brand requirements, and our rigid testing process to deliver consistent formulations that meet customer expectations. You will follow up with bench development and processing.
• Test. You will provide technical support to processors, customers and production by preparing finished product samples, attending meetings, conducting trials, and making presentations. You will verify shelf life and conduct sensory testing and line trials, including packing.
• Document. You will diligently record and maintain formulations, ingredient documentation, processes, shelf life, and testing results. You will conduct statistical analysis of data, write reports, and verbally communicate findings in presentations and meetings,
• Collaborate. You will be part of a product development project team working closely with Sales Account Managers and customers, Marketing, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Procurement and suppliers, Engineering, and Operations teams to deliver business objectives.

What you bring to the role:

• The experience. You have a background in Food Science and exposure to the food or beverage processing industry, specifically in product development. You are comfortable standing during trials in a high-speed manufacturing facility. You are familiar with the complex logistics of running multiple production and manufacturing lines to meet customers’ needs. You know how to balance ingredient effectiveness, sourcing and costs to fit budgets, timelines, and demand.
• The technical knowledge. You have ingredient and processing knowledge related to packaged food products. You understand and follow the product innovation and renovation process from concept through commercialization.
• The drive. You are curious and solution-oriented, always willing to research and explore new options. You prioritize accuracy and attention to detail. You can balance multiple projects simultaneously and shuffle priorities as needed. You are passionate about continuous improvement and ongoing learning.
• The interpersonal skills. You have professional verbal and written communication skills, including creating meticulous documentation and generating reports. You can build strong working relationships across teams. You genuinely appreciate diverse experiences and backgrounds.

Why join?

We've got great taste. We care deeply about fostering a culture of transparency, responsibility, and integrity. It's what drives us to make great-tasting, convenient, and healthy ingredients and finished products that our customers depend on. With a focus on nurturing and growing our employees' careers and professional satisfaction, we believe in open communication, idea sharing, and knowledge building. Skjodt-Barrett is committed to building an inclusive culture that helps to create longevity, growth, and innovation in the food industry.

We are working towards a sustainable future. We believe that what's good for people and the planet is good for profit. It is everyone's responsibility to do their part. We recognize the growing need to prioritize sustainability in manufacturing, and we continue to take steps to evolve. We strive to accelerate the adoption of sustainable packaging and food products to be a responsible partner for our customers and for the greater good. We take our role as a supply chain partner to heart and adhere to a strict Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure that our vendors uphold the integrity and values we live by.

We believe actions speak louder than words. Every day, we come together to exceed the expectations of our customers, each other and ourselves, inspired by our values:

• We care. About family, honesty, and respect.
• We communicate. Across every level, often, effectively, and clearly.
• We Empower. With trust, integrity, and accountability.
• We Deliver. Every time, through teamwork, innovation, and results.

We support and care for our employees and their families. 

Benefits and perks we offer include comprehensive health, dental, paramedical and long term disability. 

Apply now.

At Skjodt-Barrett, we aim for diversity, equality, accessibility and inclusion in all of our operations and interactions. We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for and want to play an integral role in delivering innovative food product solutions, apply to express your interest. 

What you can expect from our interview process:

1. A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor discussing your interest in the role and the company.
2. An in-person or virtual interview with the Product Development Manager and an HR Generalist to discuss your experience and how this role fits into the team.
3. An onsite plant tour and a final interview with the Manager of Product Development or the Director of Product Development. This will be a chance to see firsthand the plant setup, understand the working environment, and discuss the role further.

Skjordt-Barrett welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Please let us know what accommodations you require across the selection process.

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