Background:

Sophia’s Garden (Artisan) Inc. (SGA) has a Standard Processing license available under The Cannabis Laws. SGA is a CPG company in the business of infusing foods (a range of products ultimately) with either cannabis or hemp extracts (THC and CBD and related isolates) as a large-scale, low-cost manufacturer. The regulations provide requirements for quality-controlled, cannabis-related products, produced under secure and sanitary conditions, to Canadian markets. The future may also require GMP level standards for export markets as SGA management deems “export” to be an expansion of our business opportunities.

The Product Coordinator is accountable for the design and development of SGA products, from the first concept to a product that is accepted by provincial distributors and running on the production floor. The role works with Management, Production, Procurement and Quality to establish product requirements, research ingredients, packaging materials and production methods, and turn each concept into approved specifications, label and packaging artwork, and a production-ready product. The Product Coordinator also owns the submission packages sent to provincial distributors and keeps product data accurate for the life of each SKU.

This is an in-office position in Thunder Bay. SGA is expanding operations to increase capacity and bring new products to market, and the Product Coordinator will carry the product pipeline through that growth. SGA is not able to sponsor a person into Canada for this role; we are looking for candidates from within Canada only.

NOC 2021: 22211 Industrial designers (TEER 2).

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Product Requirements and Concept Development

· Consult with Management, Production, Procurement and Quality to establish the requirements for each new product, including format, dose, target consumer, price point and regulatory limits.

· Analyze the intended use of each product and consumer preferences, using market feedback, provincial distributor category direction and sales data.

· Research the properties, availability and cost of ingredients and packaging materials, and the production methods available at SGA, to confirm a concept can be made.

· Present product concepts, with cost estimates and a recommendation, to Management for a go or no-go decision.

Product Design, Labels and Packaging

· Develop product concepts, sketches, mock-ups and visual designs for Management approval.

· Create and revise product labels and packaging artwork in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, in line with Part 7 (Packaging and Labelling) of the Cannabis Regulations and provincial distributor requirements.

· Prepare label proofs for Quality review and approval before printing, and coordinate print orders with suppliers.

· Produce product images and visual assets, or coordinate external photographers and designers when needed,



and hold them to agreed timelines.

Specifications and Production Handover

· Prepare product specifications, bills of materials, packaging specifications and production guidelines for each SKU.

· Coordinate prototypes and pilot batches with Production and Quality, and document the results and resulting changes.

· Consult with Production and Quality during first production runs and resolve design or specification issues as they arise.

· Manage formulation, packaging and label changes through the change control process, and keep every affected document current.

Provincial Submissions

· Prepare and assemble product submission packages for provincial distributors, with product specifications, pricing, label artwork, images and required regulatory documents.

· Prepare and track Notice of Current Cannabis Product (NNCP) documentation.

· Track submission deadlines, coordinate product calls, and keep a record of every submission and its outcome.

Product Data and Post-Acceptance Support

· Act as the single source of truth for product information in the ERP/QMS, including recipes, specifications, labels, costs, GTINs and quality documents.

· For accepted products, provide provincial distributors with images, GTINs (unit and case) and product attributes, and keep listings current.

· Update product information across internal records and distributor platforms when formulations, packaging or pricing change.

· Prepare sell sheets, product one-pagers and listing copy for the Commercial team.

Continuous Improvement

· Identify ways to shorten the time from concept to accepted product and improve the product development process.

· Contribute to forecasts and product performance reviews.

· Other duties as required by SGA senior management.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

· The successful candidate will have experience in these key areas:

1. Product Design and Development: Experience taking a consumer product from concept to production, including requirements, specifications and prototypes, preferably in food, confectionery, CPG or another regulated manufacturing setting.

2. Design Software: Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for label and packaging artwork. Experience preparing print-ready files is an asset.

3. Regulatory Knowledge: Knowledge of cannabis packaging and labelling requirements and provincial distributor submission processes is an asset.

4. Project Management: Ability to manage several products at different stages at once, track timelines and meet submission deadlines.





5. Data Management: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and experience with ERP/QMS or product data systems. Strong numerical skills and attention to detail.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works well with Production, Procurement, Quality and Commercial teams, and with external suppliers and service providers.

· College diploma or university degree in Industrial Design, Packaging Design, Food Product Development, Engineering or a related field.

· A portfolio of design work (product, packaging or label design) submitted with the application.

· 1 to 3 years of experience in product development, product design or product coordination, preferably in the cannabis, food or CPG industries.

· Experience with provincial cannabis board submissions is an asset.

· Must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

· Must be able to pass a background check.

· Security clearance is not required for this role.

CONSIDERATIONS TO BE A PRODUCT COORDINATOR

The approval of proposed personnel is determined based on several factors. These factors include:

1. Ability to fulfill responsibilities: The proposed personnel must demonstrate their ability to fulfill the roles and responsibilities associated with the position, including developing products from concept to production, designing labels and packaging, and coordinating provincial submissions.

2. Experience and technical knowledge: The proposed personnel must possess the necessary experience and technical knowledge related to product design and development, label and packaging design, and regulatory submissions in a regulated manufacturing environment.

3. Qualifications and education: The proposed personnel should have relevant qualifications, such as degrees, diplomas, or certificates, supporting their formal education in areas related to the responsibilities of the position, and a portfolio of design work. These qualifications should be verified by providing copies of the relevant documents.

4. Organizational and communication skills: The proposed personnel must demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities to coordinate across multiple departments and external partners.

5. Overall assessment: The approval of proposed personnel will depend on an overall assessment of their ability to conduct their responsibilities effectively and in compliance with applicable regulations. This assessment considers the information provided in the application, including qualifications, experience, portfolio, and training.

Pay: $50,000.00-$55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Casual dress
- On-site parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6P8: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Language:

- English (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Product Coordinator (Thunder Bay)
🏢 Sophia's Garden (Artisan
📍 Thunder Bay