Food Scientist

''•Simonds Parish, NB

6d•CA$69,700 - CA$93,000•Onsite

About The Position

As a Food Scientist on the Global Innovation Platforms team, you will play a key role in developing, optimising, and scaling innovative products across McCain’s Potato and Global Snacking categories. You will translate product concepts into commercially viable solutions by designing and executing experiments, applying scientific rigour, and partnering cross-functionally. This role is ideal for a scientist with a strong foundation in ingredients, formulation, and processing who is ready to take ownership of project execution while continuing to build technical expertise.

Requirements

BS or MS degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
Minimum 3+ years of relevant experience in product development or food science, preferably within food, CPG, or manufacturing environments.
Proven ability to independently manage the details of product development projects and deliver against timelines.
Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the ability to translate technical information for non-technical audiences.
Effective collaborator across functions and cultures who values different perspectives.
Developing confidence under pressure, with a willingness to move beyond the familiar and easy aspects of a project.
Applies commercial understanding and consumer/customer insight to help balance desirability, technical feasibility, and business needs.
Well-organized and detail-oriented, with excellent record keeping and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Comfortable working with ambiguity and evolving project scope.
Positive, self-motivated, and solution-oriented, with curiosity and a passion for innovation.
Strong capability in experimental design (including DOE), data interpretation, and scientific rigor.
Sound knowledge of food ingredients and their interaction with processing and packaging.
Working knowledge of GMP, HACCP, food safety, and the product development lifecycle.
Working knowledge of food regulations and food safety standards, including requirements related to product labeling and nutrition.
Understanding of process capabilities and bench-to-pilot-to-factory scale-up, in partnership with manufacturing and engineering teams.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations and apply statistical techniques to analyze and present data.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and execute experiments, trials, and tests in line with stated project deliverables and mandatory documentation requirements.
Translate project objectives into sound experimental designs, applying Design of Experiments (DOE) and an experimental mindset as core tools.
Independently design and run experiments to deliver defined project outcomes, and effectively question technical assumptions along the way.
Use data and appropriate statistical treatments to make quality decisions, and clearly present project data, results, and recommendations.
Conduct Design Verification/Validation (DVF) analysis to confirm that products and processes meet project requirements.
Apply science fundamentals relevant to the category — ingredients, formulation, and processing (e.g., batters, frying, cuts) — to solve development challenges.
Develop new product concepts and prototypes, and support the evolution of product platforms that can scale across regions and customers.
Incorporate product design principles, including food-safe design, and build food regulations and food safety standards into product and process design.
Develop and maintain product documents, specifications, and related technical and costing information.
Coordinate and support plant-scale tests — communicating objectives, special requirements, and accept/reject criteria to plant representatives and confirming the objectives of the test are met.
Apply an understanding of McCain’s key process capabilities and bench-to-pilot-to-factory scale relationships, using statistical process control and reporting practices.
Support process optimization and problem resolution in partnership with Technical Services, Operations, Engineering, Quality, and other functions as assigned.
Lead and manage the details of assigned projects, understanding project timelines and the critical path to on-time delivery.
Propose work, set priorities, and build support for project plans.
Identify technical risks within assigned work and help develop practical mitigation strategies.
Evaluate and adjust product and manufacturing cost parameters to help meet operational and business objectives, with awareness of key business levers such as COGS.
Communicate project status, needs, and outcomes clearly to the project team and to department and region management.
Partner effectively across R&D and internal functions, proactively building internal networks and relationships.
Interface with suppliers, customers, and co-packers as required, and coordinate raw-material sourcing, evaluation, and improvement activities with Procurement and suppliers.
Support Commercial and Marketing by contributing technical input to customer presentations and innovation discussions.
Provide informal guidance and support to new team members through knowledge sharing and on-the-job coaching.
Actively seek feedback on yourself and your projects, demonstrate curiosity, and continue to increase the depth of your technical skills.
Incorporate multiple points of view — including cross-functional perspectives — into your plans and solutions.