Research Scientist - Product Development

Location : Hamilton (onsite role)

Reports to : Senior Manager, R&D Capabilities & Excellence

The pay range for the role is $75,300 to $125,300 plus bonus, comprehensive benefits, retirement savings plan, paid vacation, and other perks and opportunities.

Job Scope

Reporting to the Senior Manager, R&D Capabilities & Excellence, the Research Scientist - Product Development develops, optimizes, and commercializes dairy products from concept through commercialization readiness. This position applies the latest scientific and technical knowledge in food science, with a focus on dairy science and technology, to develop, optimize, and commercialize products that support business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Principal Scientist-led research, innovation, technology evaluation, and product platform development activities.
• Lead assigned product development projects from concept through commercialization readiness.
• Develop and optimize product formulations using dairy science, ingredient functionality, sensory science, and processing knowledge.
• Develop and apply analytical methods and equipment to support product development and research activities.
• Plan and execute laboratory, benchtop, pilot, and plant-scale development activities and experiments.
• Evaluate ingredients and technologies for technical feasibility and commercialization potential.
• Translate business, consumer, quality, regulatory, and manufacturing requirements into clear technical product solutions.
• Analyze experimental and trial data and provide evidence-based technical recommendations.
• Support scale-up, validation, and commercialization activities in partnership with Operations and cross-functional teams.
• Drive technical problem-solving related to product quality, ingredient performance, processing, shelf-life, sensory performance, and regulatory compliance.
• Design, execute, and interpret sensory evaluations to support formulation development, product optimization, and technical decision-making.
• Monitor new and existing product performance and recommend improvements as required.
• Maintain accurate formulations, specifications, project information, technical reports, and trial documentation within approved R&D systems.
• Ensure technical knowledge and project learnings are documented and retained.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Marketing, Procurement, suppliers, research institutions, and other partners as required.
• Communicate technical findings, recommendations, risks, and project updates clearly and professionally.
• Share technical knowledge and contribute to R&D capability building, continuous improvement, and best practices.
• Adhere to Food Safety and Quality System responsibilities outlined in applicable SOPs and training materials.
• Undertake other relevant responsibilities based on business needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Food Technology, or a related field required; advanced qualifications considered an asset.
• Minimum three years of relevant product development, applied research, or technical commercialization experience within the food industry, preferably dairy.
• Experience using product characterization methods, such as rheology, viscosity, texture or related analytical testing to support formulation development and troubleshooting is preferred.

Skills

• Strong scientific foundation in food and dairy science.
• Knowledge of dairy ingredients, formulation development, sensory evaluation, shelf-life, and dairy manufacturing processes.
• Experimental design, data analysis, technical report writing, and evidence-based decision-making skills.
• Ability to interpret analytical and product characterization results to support product and process decisions.
• Strong technical problem-solving and root-cause analysis capabilities.
• Effective project management, prioritization, and organizational skills.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills and the ability to collaborate across diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work independently while seeking guidance for complex or high-risk technical decisions.
• Ability to learn and use relevant formulation, ERP, specification, reporting, and project management systems, including D365, Optiva, Power BI, and WMS.
• Flexibility to support pilot, plant, and commercialization activities outside regular schedules when required.
• Access to a car and valid License for driving in Ontario.

Gay Lea Foods is a Canadian, dairy farmer‑owned co‑operative with a clear purpose: to enrich life with dairy. Founded in 1958, the co‑operative produces high‑quality dairy products while creating lasting value for farming families, meaningful opportunities for employees, and positive impact in communities across Canada. As a co‑operative, Gay Lea Foods believes that when the business succeeds, its members, people, and communities should succeed along with it. To learn more, visit gaylea.com.

Gay Lea Foods is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in our workplace.

Reasonable accommodation is available upon request throughout our recruitment and selection process.

Gay Lea Foods may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support aspects of the recruitment process, including screening and assessment.

We are currently accepting applications for this open position.

Thank you for your interest in Gay Lea Foods.

Wishing you all the best with your career search!