Position Summary
Reporting to the Vice President, Marketing, the director will lead Company wide product development and completion of all NPD commercial research and development projects. This individual is passionate about the sensory and scientific attributes of food. They will play a key role in driving the acceleration, ideation, design, development, and launch of all new products at Cooke.

Key functions

• Lead the innovation and development process for products that complement and align with Cooke’s strategic goals and initiatives.
• Ensure that business objectives are set for Product Ideation, Design and Development and cascaded to individual staff members.
• Cultivate an innovative work environment that sets and maintains an urgent pace for design and development activities.
• Demonstrate solutions and capabilities as a thought leader within the Company.
• Collaborate with Sales & Marketing and other cross-functional teams to deliver an innovation roadmap for new products.
• Accountable for resource planning, optimal product development lifecycle, program management, and asset management.
• Work collaboratively with sales/marketing to bring products from ideation to market ensuring successful operational transfer to operations and manufacturing team.
• Establish performance metrics and drive accountability to deliver on established time standards and project milestones, balancing the pursuit of the best possible product and time to market considerations.
• Establish a continuous improvement mindset within the Department, to deliver innovative, quality products, and value-add enhancements to the existing product portfolio.
• Ensure that the Department is positioned to continually learn about, or create its own product or process innovations that will lead to commercial success.
• Participate in assessments for business development opportunities, drive partnerships and collaboration to create new capabilities across the organization.
• Proactively identify and mitigate issues and challenges, optimize key processes, development tools, techniques and capabilities.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of SOP documentation preparation.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Food Science;
• A minimum of 10 years progressive experience in a food manufacturing or retail environment with five years in a leadership role.
• Experience in research and development and product development, specifically in the food industry.
• Course work and experience in Product Lifecycle Management 
• In-depth knowledge of a broad range of products, ingredients and processing methods.
• Expertise in sensory evaluation of foods.
• Excellent computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams).
• Excellent verbal and written communication and math skills. 

Cooke offers full-time year round employment, competitive rates and a competitive benefits package which includes health and dental as well as a company matched pension. 

The Opportunity 

The role description is just one part of the story. This is an opportunity to grow, to stretch, to work within the parameters of the role but stretch to your fullest potential. We are a team that counts performance, we reward contribution, and we recognize talent. It is about being at the center of the fastest growing company in Atlantic Canada and knowing you are part of that growth. The ability to bring your passion for learning, desire for growth, and energy for moving your career forward is what we offer. 

The Why 

Why Cooke? Simple - because we are a company that rewards initiative, resourcefulness, and work ethic. We will champion your growth and provide you with the platform to create your path, your career, and your future.