Research and Innovation Technician

Who we are

Based out of Montreal, Canada, Nature's Touch is one of the largest suppliers of frozen fruit to retailers in North America, Australia, Taiwan, and Japan. We provide a full range of products and support multiple private label programs in addition to our own brands. We are also one of the largest buyers of fruit globally each year and continue to enjoy strong growth in this emerging category in retail.


The Role

We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented RI Technician to join our team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for a variety of tasks that support our RD and Innovation teams in creating new product samples and conducting various tests.

Reports To: Senior Innovation Product Developer

Responsibilities:

Sample Creation and Testing: Assist in the development and testing of new product samples, ensuring accurate formulation and quality control.
High quality prototypes for customers: Create final samples based on the product developer's guidance on both lab and pilot scale.
Lab Maintenance: Manage lab supplies, clean and organize lab spaces, including freezers, and ensure proper storage and management of samples.
Pilot Experimental Room: Manage pilot supplies, clean and organize pilot equipment.
Shelf-Life Analysis: Conduct shelf-life studies to evaluate the longevity and stability of products.
Tasting Panels: Organize and conduct tasting panels to gather feedback on product samples from both RD and Innovation teams.
Documentation: Prepare and maintain documentation related to tax credits and other regulatory requirements.
Production Trials: Support product developers during production trials, ensuring smooth transitions from lab to production scale.
Formulation Assistance: Collaborate with product developers to refine formulations and conduct necessary testing.
Data Management: Record and analyze data from experiments and trials, providing insights and recommendations based on findings.


Qualifications:

Education Experience

1-3 years' experience in QA or RD.
Prior food manufacturing and laboratory setting experience.
Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology or related fields.
Knowledge of GMP standards and food safety regulations.
Experienced with Smartsheet and Microsoft Office.
Characteristics Abilities:

Experience in a lab or pilot room setting.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Proficiency in data analysis and documentation.
Excellent communication skills.
Experience in food manufacturing or related fields
Excellent knowledge of GMP
Ability to work in cold environment (freezer) and to lift 30 lbs boxes
Food enthusiast and taste explorer (ability to taste all fruits).
Able to communicate organoleptic qualities unambiguously. Read more