Sr. Manager - R&D and Innovation (Private Label + Emerging Brands)

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun. 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. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile. So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together. You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com . Overview: 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. Drives the ideation process. Leads strategic risk assessment, mitigation planning, and risk communication for innovation and R&D initiatives. Actively seeks partnerships with ingredient and equipment suppliers to explore innovative ingredients, processes, relationships, or technologies that could provide a competitive edge for current or prospective clients. 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 t…