Senior R&D/Application Specialist - Dairy & Beverage

Position: Senior R&D/Application Specialist – Dairy & Beverage
Location: Oakville, Ontario. This role is full-time on-site in Oakville.
Status: Full-time, permanent (1). This is a newly created opportunity.

Quadra is one of North America's leading distributors of chemicals and ingredients, with operations across Canada and the United States. Our success is driven by our people, who thrive in a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance environment.

Our Oakville, Ontario facility is a key innovation hub within Quadra's Ingredients division. The site specializes in the development, commercialization, and manufacturing of high-quality functional food ingredient blends serving a wide range of food and beverage markets. It is also home to our state-of-the-art R&D and Applications Laboratory, where technical experts collaborate with customers and supplier partners to develop new concepts, solve formulation challenges, and accelerate innovation.

We are currently seeking an experienced and passionate Senior R&D / Application Specialist to join our Food & Nutrition team. Reporting to the R&D/Innovation Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving innovation and technical excellence across the Dairy, Dairy Alternatives, and Beverage segments.

If you're energized by solving complex formulation challenges, creating innovative food solutions, and making a meaningful impact in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment, we would love to hear from you!

Our Ideal Candidate:

• You bring strong analytical and product development expertise and enjoy tackling complex technical challenges.
• You are a skilled formulator with a solid understanding of food microbiology principles.
• You are passionate about food, ingredients, and innovation within the food industry.
• You are naturally curious and driven to understand root causes and develop effective solutions.
• You possess strong computer skills and are proficient in Microsoft Office and Genesis Foods software.
• You embrace continuous improvement and are comfortable challenging the status quo to enhance processes and capabilities.
• You combine creativity and innovation with the ability to think strategically.
• You are proactive, adaptable, and resourceful.
• You are an effective communicator with strong presentation and relationship-building skills.
• You are results-oriented and capable of managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• You are confident presenting to both small and large audiences in an engaging and professional manner.
• You collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Sales, QA, Operations, and Marketing.
• You are able and willing to travel up to 20% of the time, including occasional overnight travel.

What would be your main responsibilities in this Senior R&D/Applications Specialist role?:

• Lead various R&D and Applications based activities supporting our full ingredient offering including both Manufactured (blends) and Distributed goods.
• Develop new value-added dairy blends that fit within our manufacturing capabilities and deliver value to our customers. Ensure commercial requirements are met or exceeded.
• Ideate and deliver, in a timely manner top notch dairy, dairy alternative and beverage concepts that showcase our product offering in on-trend formats, while providing our customer base with innovation inspiration. Commercial and technical acumen are showcased in the ideation and execution phases of the concepts.
• Work with account managers to identify and deliver specific project opportunities for our customers.
• Support the sales team with customer joint calls and presentations, in conjunction with our Brand Marketing and Commercial leadership personnel serving as the domain expert during meetings with customers.
• Manage the R&D pilot plant equipment, ensuring all equipment is operated, cleaned and serviced to enable scale up development activities.
• Knowledge of Canadian and USA foods regulatory requirements to be able to review Product Data Sheets for other R&D Specialists.
• Contribute to the maintenance of the R&D laboratory including managing ingredient inventory, finished product samples, and ensuring Good Laboratory/Manufacturing Practices are employed.
• Keep abreast of emerging market trends and technological advancement in the industry to facilitate continuous improvement.
• Attend key tradeshows, supporting the promotion of our ingredients and services, or as an attendee exploring what is new and interesting in the industry.
• Actively contribute to segment discussions, meetings and the development of strategic initiatives.
• Deliver complete and accurate technical documentation related to projects and product development including product specifications, nutritional tables, labels and Bills of Material ensuring accuracy and attention to detail.
• Build familiarity with products, ingredients and formulation techniques across a variety of product categories outside of the Dairy & Beverage sectors.
• Provide technical support to operations to assist with troubleshooting and problem solving in the plant.
• Provide mentorship to colleagues within the R&D team.
• Provide mentorship to Co-op students, assisting with their training and co-ordinating their weekly activities.

What experience is required to be successful in this position?

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, or a related field is considered an asset.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in dairy, dairy alternative, and beverage product development, formulation, and processing.
• Proven track record of delivering innovative application and product development projects on time and within budget.
• Extensive knowledge of food ingredients, including proteins, starches, hydrocolloids, oils, fats, cultures, and other functional ingredients.
• Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and an understanding of market trends, customer needs, and business drivers.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently while taking initiative and ownership of projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Genesis Foods software.
• Solid understanding of HACCP, GFSI requirements, Food Safety programs, and Good Laboratory Practices.

Working Conditions:

• This is a full-time, on-site position based in Oakville, Ontario.
• Must possess a valid passport and be able to travel up to 20% of the time, including occasional overnight and international travel.
• Ability to work in a laboratory, manufacturing, and customer-facing environment as required.

At Quadra, we offer not only an engaging culture, a collaborative, family-oriented and supportive environment, but also plenty of autonomy and flexibility. We also offer you the opportunity to be part of a professional, fun, innovative and committed team in a growing, people-oriented, Great Place to Work® certified organization. In addition to being Great Place to Work® certified, Quadra has been recognized as one of the Best Managed Companies for over 20 years! You will work with dynamic colleagues who are eager to share their knowledge with you.

Here are some of the perks of choosing Quadra:

• Permanent, full-time position : Join us for a stable, long-term career
• Competitive salary & Performance Incentives : Your hard work is rewarded with attractive compensation and bonuses
• Flexible Remote Work & Autonomy : Enjoy the flexibility to work from home a portion of the time!We value the flexibility of working remotely, at the same time, fostering strong relationships within your team and across the organization is essential, and in-person interactions play a key role in building those connections.
• Tailored training : We provide personalized training to support you and your growth
• Excellent Benefits Package : Medical, Dental, HSA, and more to keep you covered including our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and access to telemedicine/Virtual healthcare
• Generous Time Off :Flexible personal days, sick days and vacation to recharge
• Wellness Programs :Enhance your quality of life with wellness initiatives, including health and mental wellness programs from healthcare leaders
• Pension plan with match : Plan your future with our matched pension plan program
• Family-owned and support environment : Be part of a private, family-owned company with a strong infrastructure and core values
• Award-Winning Workplace : Work in a certified Great Place to Work®, and Best Managed Company!
• Inclusive Culture: We celebrate diversity and caring for each other and having fun are part of our core values!
• Career Growth : Unlock opportunities for development in a fast-paced growing company
• Fun Social Activities : Get involved company events, Volunteering programs, etc.
• Referral & Recognition Programs : Earn monetary rewards through our referral and employee recognition programs (years of service, merit awards, etc.)

Compensation Information

The annual base salary for this position is expected to range between $73,400.00 and $114,7000.00. Please note that this base salary range is provided for reference purposes only. Individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

Base salary represents just one component of our overall compensation package. This role is also eligible for a generous incentive program and comprehensive benefits. Quadra’s salary ranges are benchmarked against the market and determined by role and level. Final base salary will be aligned with the selected candidate’s qualifications, skill set, competencies, and work location.

At Quadra, we are committed to offering a competitive and rewarding total compensation package that recognizes your expertise and supports your professional growth.

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