Manager – Research and Development

At Lesters, we are looking for a Manager – Research and Development who will primarily be an innovation architect and an expert in food product development.

Your main role: imagine, create, optimize, and launch the products that will define Lesters' future, while ensuring solid technical governance and effective collaboration with internal teams.

You will oversee the entire product development cycle — from ideation to commercialization — with a focus on formulation, pilot trials, process optimization, technical data analysis, and the integration of new technologies.

Permanent, full-time, part-time, Monday to Friday, flexible schedule

What we offer

• Stable schedule of 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday;
• Modern and automated plant;
• Annual salary progression;
• Group insurance (medical and dental, telemedicine);
• Pension fund;
• Flexible paid time off, paid vacation;
• Employee discounts;
• Employee assistance program;
• Ample parking and/or easily accessible by public transportation.

You have

• Bachelor's degree in food science and technology, food engineering, chemistry, microbiology, or relevant discipline;
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in food product development or research and development;
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of experience in team management;
• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously;
• Experience in a food manufacturing environment;
• Bilingual (English/French).

Leadership skills and qualities

• Motivational leadership and the ability to inspire teams;
• Excellent communication and influence skills;
• Strong planning and organizational skills;
• Strategic vision oriented towards results;
• Great ability to make decisions in a rapidly evolving environment;
• Excellent management of priorities and resources;
• Strong sense of collaboration and partnership;
• Ability to develop talent and ensure succession;
• Rigor, autonomy, and strong sense of initiative;
• Strong analytical skills and innovative spirit.
• Here’s what you’ll do:

Innovation, product development, R&D project management

• Oversee the entire product development cycle, from ideation to commercialization, in alignment with strategic objectives.
• Plan, prioritize, and supervise R&D projects, ensuring adherence to schedules, quality objectives, and regulatory requirements.
• Design, improve, and optimize Lesters' products according to market trends, customer needs, and business opportunities.
• Lead formulation work, technical validations, microbiological/chemical analyses, and industrial scaling.
• Ensure the success of pilot trials, plant tests, and production launches.
• Conduct competitive analyses to guide development decisions.
• Identify risks, recommend solutions, and ensure rigorous tracking of performance indicators (KPIs).
• Integrate new technologies, ingredients, and processes, and implement technological improvement and cost-reduction initiatives.

Interfunctional collaboration

• Serve as a technical reference for operations, quality, marketing, sales, procurement, and regulatory affairs.
• Maintain effective relationships with suppliers, consultants, research centers, and external partners.
• Participate in strategic decisions related to technological investments and process improvements.

Governance, quality, and compliance

• Ensure the conformity of technical documentation, specifications, and project data.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, regulatory requirements, and food safety rules.
• Ensure the documentary management of projects eligible for tax credits.
• Protect the company's intellectual property and confidential information.

Benefits

• Dental Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Supplementary Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Company Events
• Flexible Start and End Times
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Plan
• On-site Parking
• Casual Dress Code
• Location: On-site