Who We Are
At Inovata Foods, we're not your typical food manufacturing company. Sure, we've got the scale and stability of a large operation, with partnerships across some of North America's biggest retailersbut at heart, we still feel like a tight-knit family business.
We believe in empowering our team members with ownership over their work, and we take pride in creating wholesome, convenient meals that bring families and friends together. Our culture is grounded in our RECIPE core values:
Respect, Engagement, Courage, Integrity, Passion, and Excellence.
This role reports directly to our Director of Research & Development and offers a high level of collaboration across departments. If you love food, innovation, and teamworkwe think you'll fit right in.
What You'll Be Doing
As our Food Product Developer, you'll be a key player in creating and improving the delicious frozen meals our customers love. You'll roll up your sleeves in our test kitchen, bring creative ideas to the table, and help turn tasty concepts into scalable reality.
Here's what your day-to-day might look like:
- Whip Up New Creations
Develop product concepts and recipes that are just as nutritious as they are delicious. - Taste All the Things
Conduct sensory evaluations using all five senses (yes, there will be meat, seafood, and cheese involved!). - Manage Multiple Projects
Keep things moving across several projects while meeting timelines and budgets like a pro. - Team Up
Work closely with cross-functional teams to make sure everyone's on the same page from idea to final product. - Keep It Safe and Smart
Ensure food safety and regulatory standards are always met, and partner with QA to fix issues if they pop up. - Track the Magic
Record your formulations and experiments and then present your findings in a clear and compelling way. - Stay in the Know
Keep up with food trends, ingredient innovations, and emerging technologies (trade shows, anyone?). - Get Hands-On
Build and test samples in our kitchen, help present your creations to customers and assist with things like BOMs and raw material onboarding. - A Bit of Travel
Attend plant trials with our R&D Director in both Tillsonburg and Edmonton. - Scout the Market
Research competitors and consumer preferences to help shape the future of our product line.
What We're Looking For
We're after someone who's not just passionate about foodbut also loves the process of developing, experimenting, and improving recipes. If you're creative, collaborative, and comfortable getting your hands dirty (literally), this could be a great fit.
Here's what you'll need:
- A passion for cooking, product development, and teamwork.
- Post-secondary education or equivalent experience.
- 2+ years of experience in a food manufacturing environment.
- Experience in restaurants or bakeries? That's a bonus!
- HACCP Certification (also a nice-to-have).
- Strong communication and people skills.
- Comfort with participating in sensory tests involving meat, seafood, and dairy.
What You'll Get
We know that great work deserves great rewards. Here's what we offer:
- A competitive salary based on experience and education (negotiable).
- A quarterly bonus based on company profitability.
- 3 weeks of vacation + 5 paid sick days.
- 100% employer-covered health and dental benefits.
- Disability coverage.
- Retirement plan with company-matched contributions.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- A supportive, collaborative work culture with real access to leadership.
A Note on Work Environment
This role is fully on-site at our Tillsonburg manufacturing plant. While much of your work will be desk-based, you'll also be walking around, standing, and occasionally lifting light materials. Some areas of the plant are cold, wet, or dampbut hey, it's all part of the flavour-building journey!
Our Commitment to You
Inovata Foods Corp. is an inclusive employer. If selected for an interview, please let our HR team know if you need accommodationswe're happy to support you throughout the process. Oh, and just so you know: we don't use AI to screen or review resumes. Real people read every single one.
Let's Build Something Delicious Together!
If you're ready to create products that make a real impact and bring people together, we'd love to meet you. Apply today and bring your appetite for innovation to Inovata Foods!