Product Developer - Caramel and Fillings

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 40 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 Director of Research and Development, we are looking for a Product Developer - Caramel and Fillings, to join our team in Brampton, Ontario. As our new Product Developer you will work cross-functionally with teams across R&D, Operations, Quality Assurance, Sales, and Commercial to bring new products from concept to commercialization. Collaborating closely with internal partners and customers, you will lead the development, formulation, troubleshooting, and scale-up of caramel and filling ingredients, ensuring every product reflects Skjodt-Barrett’s commitment to quality, consistency, and profitability.

This is an onsite position based out of our Brampton Headquarters.

Who you are

You are an experienced food product developer with a strong foundation in food science and processing, ideally with exposure to caramel, confectionery, or fillings. Whether you come from the ingredient, blend, or consumer products side of the industry, you are eager to apply your technical expertise in a hands-on environment where ideas move from concept to commercialization. You enjoy working cross-functionally and thrive in a setting where you can experiment, collaborate, and see your work make a tangible impact.

What's in it for you

Industry expertise. You will bring your technical knowledge and passion for product innovation to an organization recognized as a leader in caramel and filling development. You will contribute your insights and best practices while gaining exposure to some of North America’s largest food and consumer brands. Caramel and fillings are among Skjodt-Barrett’s fastest-growing categories, and your expertise will directly influence the quality, performance, and innovation of products enjoyed by millions.

Impact and influence. You will lead development projects from concept to launch, experimenting with new formulations while ensuring compliance with safety standards, cost parameters, lead times, and ingredient specifications. You will collaborate with teams across the organization and experience the satisfaction of seeing your creations come to life—on grocery store shelves across North America. As Skjodt-Barrett continues its growth and transformation, you will be part of a team shaping the company’s next phase of innovation.

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, or Operations.

How you will make an impact:

• Develop and test. You will design, develop, and test caramel and filling formulations that meet customer requirements, internal standards, and cost, nutritional, and shelf-life targets. Your work will include bench development, processing, shelf-life assessments, sensory evaluations, and overseeing line and packaging trials. You will adjust processing parameters such as temperature, pH, and cook times to achieve optimal results across product types and ensure consistent product performance.
• Scale and commercialize. You will lead the scale-up of caramel and filling formulations from lab to full-scale production, developing and validating processing instructions under various thermal and mechanical conditions. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will lead plant trials and ensure all new products meet Skjodt-Barrett’s standards for quality, performance, and safety.
• Document. You will diligently record and maintain formulations, ingredient documentation, processes, shelf-life data, and testing results. You will conduct statistical analyses, generate technical reports, and communicate findings clearly through presentations and meetings. You will also create and maintain comprehensive process documentation, including SOPs, specification sheets, and troubleshooting guides.
• Provide production support. You will support real-time troubleshooting of caramel and filling issues on the production line, evaluate and approve raw material substitutions or rework plans, and lead the first three production runs for each new development to ensure successful implementation.
• Collaborate. You will work cross-functionally with Sales Account Managers and customers, as well as internal teams in Marketing, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, and Operations to deliver business objectives and bring high-quality products to market.

What you bring to the role:

• The experience. You have a background in Food Science and experience in the food processing industry, specifically in product design and 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 the needs of customers. You know how to balance ingredient effectiveness, sourcing and costs to fit budgets, timelines, and demand.
• The technical knowledge. You have a solid understanding of ingredient functionality, including sugars, dairy, starches, and hydrocolloids, and knowledge of thermal processing principles. You are familiar with HACCP, GMPs, and food safety standards, and you follow the full product development and commercialization process, from concept through scale-up and launch. You are proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and comfortable learning internal systems such as specification management tools and Genesis.
• The drive. You are curious and solution-oriented, always exploring new options. You prioritize accuracy and pay meticulous attention to detail. You can manage multiple projects simultaneously, adapt to changing priorities, and maintain a strong focus on quality and outcomes.
• The interpersonal skills. You have professional verbal and written communication skills, including creating documentation, generating reports, and articulating changes and reasoning to internal and external stakeholders. You can build strong working relationships across teams. You genuinely appreciate diverse experiences and backgrounds and are interested in understanding others, hearing their perspectives, and addressing their concerns.

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. The conversation will be recorded using BrightHire, an AI-powered video interview tool. More details will be shared when you are invited to interview.
2. An in-person with the Director, Research and Development to discuss your experience and how this role fits into the team.
3. An onsite plant tour and a final interview with members of the R&D team and key stakeholders within the business. This will be a chance to see firsthand the plant setup, understand the working environment, and discuss the role further.

Skjodt-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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