This role is contract, with the potential of full time permanent employment.
Purpose:
Cambridge Treats Inc. is seeking an R&D Specialist to support product innovation and continuous improvement within our pet treat manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for researching, developing, testing, and commercializing new and improved products that meet customer expectations, food safety requirements, and regulatory standards.
The R&D Specialist will lead product formulation activities, conduct product trials, support manufacturing scale-ups, and collaborate with Production, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, and Procurement teams to bring innovative pet treat products from concept to commercialization.
The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in food or pet food product development, strong technical problem-solving skills, and a passion for creating high-quality products.
Food Safety & Quality Responsibility:
The R&D Specialist plays an important role in maintaining a strong food safety culture by ensuring all product development activities align with company quality standards and food safety programs. Responsibilities include:
- Developing and modifying products in compliance with HACCP/SQF or equivalent food safety requirements.
- Completing documentation and assessments required for product approval and commercialization.
- Supporting food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance throughout the product development process.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the formulation and development of new pet treat products from concept through commercialization.
- Conduct bench-top testing, pilot-scale trials, and production-scale validation runs.
- Optimize product characteristics including texture, palatability, stability, nutrition, and cost.
- Research and evaluate new ingredients, processing technologies, and market trends to support product innovation.
- Collaborate with Production, QA, Regulatory, and Procurement teams to ensure technical feasibility and successful product launches.
- Troubleshoot formulation, processing, and scale-up challenges.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, including product formulas, specifications, SOPs, nutritional profiles, and processing parameters.
- Ensure products meet applicable regulatory and food safety requirements, including CFIA, FDA, AAFCO, HACCP, SQF, and applicable labeling standards.
- Support product risk assessments, traceability requirements, and audit readiness.
- Communicate effectively with internal teams and domestic/international suppliers.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Food Science, Food Engineering, Animal Science, Animal Nutrition, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 3 years of industry experience in food or pet food research and development.
- Hands-on experience with extrusion systems, meat processing technologies, or other thermal processing equipment.
- Strong understanding of ingredient functionality, pet nutrition, formulation principles, and food safety standards.
- Experience designing experiments, analyzing results, troubleshooting technical challenges, and supporting pilot-scale production.
- Knowledge of AAFCO guidelines and pet treat regulatory requirements.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Preferred Assets:
- Experience with plant-based proteins, animal proteins, functional ingredients, or emerging food processing technologies.
- Experience working with suppliers or external manufacturing partners.
- Previous project leadership or team leadership experience.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 kg (55 lbs.).
- Ability to work in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Exposure to ingredients, dust, allergens, noise, moving equipment, and varying temperatures common to a pet food manufacturing facility.
- Flexibility to support occasional production trials outside regular working hours.
Compliance:
Employees are expected to comply with Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, Employment Standards Act, company policies, and all food safety, workplace conduct, attendance, and safety requirements.
Disclaimer:
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties. Responsibilities may be modified from time to time.
Equal Opportunity & Accommodation:
Cambridge Treats Inc. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to characteristics protected by applicable law.
Accommodations are available upon request throughout the recruitment and selection process. Candidates requiring accommodation are encouraged to contact Human Resources at the time of application.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure:
Cambridge Treats Inc. uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools during portions of the recruitment process to assist with applicant screening and assessment. All hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team based on candidate qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role.
This posting represents an existing vacancy within our organization.
Pay: $60,000.00-$80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Application question(s):
- Do you have hands-on experience with extrusion systems, meat processing technologies, or other thermal-processing equipment? If yes, how many years?
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (required)
Experience:
- Food or Pet Food R&D: 3 years (required)
Language:
Work Location: In person
