We currently have a full-time opportunity for a Product Development Specialist. This role is based out of our office in Mississauga, ON. Drive the execution of Our Brands product development within assigned categories, creating creative, high-impact products that strengthen brand equity, support regional needs and build long-term customer loyalty.

Translate customer insights, category opportunities, culinary and marketplace trends into clear product propositions and differentiated concepts that address defined customer needs. Demonstrate strong commercial acumen and understand how product development decisions influence cost, sales, margin, penetration, velocity, distribution and overall portfolio productivity. Lead the end-to-end product development process, ensuring alignment with sensory, brand and ingredient standards while delivering high-quality products on time and supporting speed to market.

Maintain accountability beyond launch by reviewing product performance, customer feedback, consumer complaints, sensory quality and competitive positioning, identifying opportunities to optimize, renovate or rationalize products throughout their lifecycle. Build strong supplier innovation partnerships by understanding supplier capabilities, emerging technologies and innovation pipelines, while constructively challenging partners to deliver differentiated products, improved quality, greater value and faster speed to market. Support supplier sourcing and resourcing initiatives by providing product development and technical input to ensure the right supplier capabilities are aligned with product and category needs.

Provide packaging feedback related to product suitability and functionality, and ensure artwork is accurate within areas of Product Development responsibility and aligned with brand standards. Request and manage product samples and key information from suppliers, maintaining organized and appropriately rotated samples within designated Product Development areas. Conduct marketplace and competitive product assessments to identify trends, benchmark product performance, support concept development and strengthen competitive positioning.





Collaborate with Category Management to identify and prioritize Our Brands opportunities aligned with category strategies, while actively exchanging product and innovation ideas through regular planning and review sessions. Attend industry trade shows and supplier facilities to identify innovation opportunities, oversee plant trials and support successful commercialization. Work closely with a multi-disciplinary team, including Quality Assurance, Brand Management, Regulatory, Design, Marketing, Corporate Sustainability, Operations and Category Merchants, to successfully develop and commercialize Our Brands' products. #Culinary, Food Science, Food Technology education or equivalent demonstrated industry experience. ~5-8 years of progressive product development, culinary innovation and/or food manufacturing experience within the food industry. ~ Experience working with deli meats, cheese and processed meat products is a strong asset. ~ Strong understanding of food safety principles and their application within product development and food manufacturing. ~ Working knowledge of Canadian food regulations, including CFIA standards of identity, is an asset. ~ Working knowledge of food certifications and related product requirements. ~ Proven experience managing critical paths, project timelines and key development milestones from concept through commercialization. ~ Strong understanding of food, customer, category and marketplace trends, with the ability to translate insights into relevant product opportunities. ~ Strong passion for food and innovation, with a curious mindset and the ability to identify opportunities, bring forward new ideas and continuously improve products and ways of working. ~ Experience working directly with suppliers and manufacturing facilities to develop, troubleshoot and commercialize products.



~ Strong commercial acumen with an understanding of how product development decisions can impact cost, margin, sales and overall product performance. ~ Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess product and technical challenges and recommend practical solutions. ~ Highly organized, able to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail and meeting key milestones. ~ Comfortable working in a hands-on product development environment, including evaluating, handling and organizing product samples. ~ Ability to travel as required, with a valid driver’s licence and access to a vehicle. ~ Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications, including Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Sobeys is one of Canada’s leading grocery retailers, with more than 1,600 stores across all 10 provinces and banners including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, and Lawtons Drug Stores. Our 128,000 teammates and franchise affiliates are passionate about delivering great food and exceptional experiences to our customers and communities. Depending on role and eligibility, teammates may receive health and dental benefits, retirement and savings programs including an Employee Share Ownership Plan, a 10% in-store discount at participating banners, virtual healthcare and an Employee and Family Assistance Program, learning and development opportunities, parental leave top-up, and paid vacation.

External websites may share our organization's job postings which includes compensation information based on similar roles and market benchmarks. These figures are provided for general comparison purposes only and are not issued or verified by our organization. We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to support efficiencies in the candidate screening, assessment, and recruitment processes.

These AI tools do not make hiring decisions on behalf of the Company. We will work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. Successful candidates will be required to provide documentation to prove their legal ability to work in the position during the onboarding process.

📌 Product Development Specialist (Mississauga)
🏢 Socket.dev
📍 Mississauga