Manager - R&D; and Innovation (Private Label + Emerging Brands) Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and VALUABLE TO GO. We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2030, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.

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. Leads the technical NPD process for Private Brands &

• Emerging Brands, from internal or external brief and bid response to first production. Accountable for ensuring products and projects adhere to Riverside &

• PL strategy, food safety programs, planned timelines and COGS, target attributes and parameters, and sustainability goals. Partners closely with senior colleagues in Marketing, Sales, Finance, and Operations as a vocal thought leader for innovation and portfolio strategy, ensuring the 3‑year product pipeline is sufficient to meet GSV targets. Provides technical leadership in ingredient functionality, manufacturing processes, technical troubleshooting, and scientific rigour across innovation and R&D; activities. Fosters a culture of innovation within the PL &

• EB team, encouraging experimentation and risk‑taking. Leads strategic risk assessment, mitigation planning,



and risk communication for innovation and R&D; initiatives. Builds a robust network of co‑manufacturing partners to expand Riverside capabilities. Accountable for vetting partners for technical suitability, NPD collaboration, and ensuring final products meet Riverside product specifications. Champions continuous improvement across the business. Regularly seeks opportunities for product and process improvement, efficiencies, and better ways of working, and evaluates the impact of initiatives using performance indicators. Leads and develops a team of food science professionals, supporting them with technical and leadership decisions and helping them achieve their growth potential through meaningful and dedicated personal development support. Develops and coaches the team through project strategies, resource plans, and execution roadmaps for complex innovation initiatives. Serves as a technical advisor to both internal and external partners, offering insights and solutions based on the latest food technology and trends. Stays abreast of emerging trends and technologies in the food industry, especially within the snack category. Collaborates meaningfully with other Technical Design functions across the organization (R&D;, Packaging R&D;, FSQA, Regulatory) to share technical knowledge, process improvements, and collectively drive scientific and technical expertise at Riverside. 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 ~ Master's degree in Science, Business, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, or a related field is an asset ~ Demonstrated experience in new product development (ideation through launch) ~ Demonstrated experience working in food manufacturing facilities PASSIONATE for innovation! Uses immediacy of action to respond to opportunities,



strengthen technical rigour, and pivot when needed. 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%) 140,000 - $155,000 CAD Exact compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education, and training, as well as other organizational needs, while balancing internal equity. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we’ll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast! – We’re a flat organization with few silos which means you’ll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn’t – like the plant, or the boardroom.

Personal development : We’ll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress. Bring the consumer voice into your work by protecting product quality, availability, and experience, acting early when standards slip, and delivering consistent value that earns trust, advocacy, and long‑term brand love.

You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high‑quality products.

Continuous improvement: As a learn‑as‑we‑go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. Join Employee‑Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights

📌 Sr. Manager - R&D and Innovation (Private Label + Emerging Brands) (Toronto)
🏢 Riverside Natural Foods
📍 Toronto